Extra Button in Modules

[chrismhs]

I am using a curriculum that uses the Canvas platform.  It has an extra button for teacher resouces in the module view.  How can I add something like this in my Canvas? See screenshot.  Thank you!

[Chris_Hofer]

@chrismhs ...

This looks like some custom code that the school has implemented into that Canvas environment.  You could create a non-published page in your course that only you (as the instructor) would see.  Students would never see the page.  Then, you could put anything you want on that page...including links to instructor resources.  Do you think that might be a workable solution for you?

[NoahBoswell]

Hey @chrismhs ,

I agree with @Chris_Hofer , this is something I have never seen before in a typical Canvas production environment. I thought I'd also tell you something that we've done in my classes in the past for teachers. I am a former computer science TA (teacher's assistant), and in our Canvas course we would have a module at the top called 'Teacher Resources'. That module, and all associated items within it, would always remain unpublished. That module would contain resources such as lesson plans, answer keys and the files to the unit exams. Then, we created another module with all the student assignments and resources and published everything in that module so the students could work through it at their own pace.

Do you think that would also be another possible solution for you, in addition to what Chris suggested above?

All the best!
Noah

[chrismhs]

Thanks for your suggestions.  I have done the separate module before and understand how it would work.  It just seemed optimal to have the corresponding lesson or info right there in the same module as the students, but not allowing them to access it.  When you click on the button, it actually opens up a window along the side with relevant info and it is pretty cool. It is probably true that they did their own thing to create it.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi there, @chrismhs ...

A slight variation on @NoahBoswell's suggestion could be to create a hidden page in each of your modules instead of haivng a separate module that contained all your hidden pages that you didn't want students to see.  In a module, you can publish just those items you want students to see and also keep one or more items hidden so that they are only accessible to the instructor.  That way, you're not having to scroll to a certain area of your "Modules" page just to get to all hidden items.

I'm not sure if you've heard of Cidi Labs, but they have a product called DesignPLUS which really enhances courses with lots of different elements like banners, content blocks, and many other things.  As part of that software, they have some elements that can be inserted into course pages that always remain hidden to students.  So, within these hidden areas of a page, you could put info just for the instructor...for example, instructions on how to build a page of content .. or how to fill out a templated page.  DesignPLUS is a paid add-on from Cidi Labs.

I hope this extra info will be of some help to you.  Take care...be well.