Cidi Labs DesignPLUS
ODU Basics Training

Welcome!

Welcome to the DesignPLUS: ODU Basics Training, your first step toward transforming your Canvas courses "from drab to fab!" This self-paced training shows you how to use Cidi Labs DesignPLUS to create impactful, accessible, and visually appealing course content. You'll focus on enhancing existing Canvas Pages, but the skills apply to new content too.

Here is a brief video overview of the Cidi Labs DesignPLUS Sidebar:

The DesignPLUS Sidebar (Cidi Labs)

Dual Monitors or Split Screen

This training is easiest to follow if you use two monitors or split your screen. That way, you can view the training in one window and edit your Canvas course in the other.

This example of duplicate tabs shows one window in View mode and the other in Edit mode.

To duplicate tabs on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge:

Right-click the tab and select Duplicate or Duplicate tab.
Use an alternate keyboard shortcut:
- Windows: Ctrl + L to select the address bar, then Alt + Enter to duplicate the tab
- Mac: Cmd + L to select the address bar, then Option + Return to duplicate the tab
- Microsoft Edge: Ctrl + Shift + K (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + K (Mac)

Separate the duplicate tabs into two separate windows. Use one window to view the information and one to edit/practice as you work through the training.

Navigating and Using This Course

This training is organized into a sequence of Canvas Pages within a module. Each Page builds on the last, so we recommend moving through them in order using the Next and Previous buttons at the bottom of each Page.

Throughout the training, you'll explore general information about DesignPLUS Sidebar elements, interactive exercises for hands-on practice, and step-by-step guidance for using the DesignPLUS Sidebar for your own Canvas content. Look for these icons throughout the training:

Icons with their associated content type.
Icon	Content Type
	General information about a DesignPLUS Sidebar element.
	Interactive exercise using the DesignPLUS Sidebar element.

About the DesignPLUS Sidebar

The DesignPLUS Sidebar, developed by Cidi Labs, is an advanced editing tool for Canvas. It provides intuitive access to design and formatting options that typically require HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

While impressive, the DesignPLUS Sidebar is not intended to replace the standard Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). In this training, you’ll learn how it can supplement and extend what you can do with the Canvas RCE.

A Word of Caution: Start Small

The DesignPLUS Sidebar is powerful but complex. This training gives you a basic level of proficiency, but it will not dive too deeply into advanced features. It is tailored to those looking to make simple enhancements to their courses' visual appeal and functionality.

Inadequate training can lead to complex formatting issues that are challenging to resolve and may potentially require you to recreate content, revert to earlier versions, or manually edit HTML.

Instead, we recommend exploring the full potential of the DesignPLUS Sidebar after this training by gradually building your skills with more advanced resources and practice. You'll find a list of additional resources at the end of the training.

Importing the Cidi Labs: ODU Basics Training Module from Canvas Commons

You can import entire courses, Modules, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, Pages, or Files from the Canvas Commons into your Canvas course. Imported resources retain their original published or unpublished status.

Notes:

Standard Canvas file storage limits apply.
Imported Commons resources retain their options/settings in the new course (except for due dates).

Follow the steps below to import the Cidi Labs: ODU Basics Training Module into your Sandbox Course to complete the exercises provided throughout the training:

Note: This is not an immediate process!

Open a new tab and navigate to Canvas.
In the Global Navigation menu, select Commons.
In the Search bar, enter Cidi Labs: ODU Basics Training.
Select the resource title to view more details.
Note: Resources can be opened in a new tab using Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) when selecting the resource name or by right-clicking the resource name.
Select the Import/Download button.
Place your cursor in the text box and begin typing the name of your Sandbox Course to narrow the list. (Note: Sandbox Courses are typically named according to the following convention: FIRST LAST - Sandbox Course.) Check the box for your Sandbox Course and select Import into Course. A notification will appear at the top of the page.
Navigate to your Sandbox Course and select Modules. You will see the message below if the import is still processing:In this message box, select the Import Status link to view the import status of your course content. The import status menu will show the import status by color:

- Gray: Indicates that content is in the queue.
- Blue: Indicates that content is currently being imported and displays a progress bar for the estimated time remaining.
- Green: Indicates a complete status.
- Orange: Indicates an issue associated with the import; select the issues link that appears to the right of the status to view more details.

Importing Contents Status Page

What We'll Cover

Each Page in this training adds a new tool to your design toolkit. Complete each activity in order:

Ready to get started?

Let's Go!