Types of Templates in DesignPLUS

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DesignPLUS Workflow Types of Templates in DesignPLUS

Before we dig into workflow details, it's important to understand the use of the term "template" in the context of the DesignPLUS suite of tools. In the world of course design, the word template refers to a chunk of content that can be copied to use as a starting point for something new. 

Both the DesignPLUS sidebar and the module builder component of the Multi-Tool rely heavily on the concept of templates.  There are, however, a few key differences in terms of how templates are created, stored, and used by each tool. 

Sidebar Templates

Sidebar templates are chunks of editor content that can be pulled into any Canvas page, announcement, assignment, discussion, or quiz. They can consist of any combination of design elements, structural elements, and placeholder or reusable content. Regardless of the nature of the content, however, all sidebar templates are created and stored as Canvas pages.

Template pages are differentiated from regular content pages by their naming convention—all template pages have names beginning with the prefix "[Template]"; for example, [Template] Module Introduction.

Module Builder Templates

In module builder, templates are used to create a module pattern—that is, the sequence of content and activities that should appear in most, if not all, modules of a given course. A module pattern, for example, might consist of a module introduction page, a second page with instructional content, a discussion activity, a homework assignment, and a quiz.  This pattern is then reproduced to create as many modules as are needed for the course.

The template for each item in the module pattern must match the selected content type for that item. In other words, templates for pages in the pattern must be created in Canvas pages, templates for assignments in the pattern must be created in Canvas assignments, and so on.

Like sidebar templates, items created to serve as module builder templates are differentiated from regular course content by using the prefix "[Template]" when naming the item, e.g., [Template] Homework Assignment.

Summary

  • Sidebar templates are created and stored in Canvas pages but can be pulled into the editor of any item type supported by the sidebar (i.e., announcements, assignments, discussions, pages, and quizzes). Sidebar templates can also serve as templates for pages in the module pattern for the module builder.
  • Module builder templates are created in the item type that corresponds to the type that will be added to the module pattern—i.e., page templates are created in Canvas pages, assignment templates are created in Canvas assignments, etc.  
  • All DesignPLUS templates, whether for the sidebar or the module builder, use the same naming convention to differentiate them from regular course content. The item name should always begin with the prefix "[Template]" followed by the actual name of the item.

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