Widgets and homepages

In addition to the default system widgets that comprise the course homepage, instructors can add their own widgets. Widgets can be used to provide visible, easily accessed course resources, such as:

• Links to additional course materials (e.g., department web page, supplemental software)

• Office hours and TA details

• Instructor Twitter feeds

The following are involved to add a widget(s) to your course home page.

Table Of Contents:

Creating a Widget

1. Select Course Admin from the course navbar.

2. Select Widgets.

3. Click on the Create Widget button.

   Open

   

    

4. Enter a Name and description (optional) for your widget.

5. Select the Content tab.

   Open

   

6. Using the HTML editor toolbar, add desired text and links.

7. To preview the widget, click Preview Widget.

8. Click Save and Close or Save.

Making a New Homepage the Course Default

1. Select Course Admin from the course navbar.

2. Select Widgets.

3. Select the Homepages tab.

4. From the Active Homepage drop-down menu, select Two-Column Course Homepage – Copy.

5. Click Apply.

Adding/Removing a Widget from a Homepage

In order for the widget to be accessible to students, it must be added to a copy of the default course homepage (or in cases where a new course homepage has been created, added there) and that homepage is then applied to the course.

In order for your added widgets to appear on the course Homepage, you will need to make a new Homepage the course default.

1. Select Course Admin from the course navbar.

2. Select Widgets.

3. Select the Homepages tab.

4. Click the down arrow to the right of the Two-Column Course Homepage and select Copy.

5. Click Two-Column Course Homepage - Copy.

6. To add a widget:

   1. Click the Add Widgets button from the desired area where you wish to add the widget.

   2. Check the box beside the widget(s) you wish to add.

   3. Click Add.

   4. You can drag the widgets from one area to another if you wish to alter their location.

7. To remove a widget:

   1. Hover over the widget and click the 'X' in the top-right corner of the widget you wish to remove

8. Click Save and Close or Save.

Work To Do Widget

This is a widget that can be used by instructors to display learning activities with overdue or upcoming deadlines for learners. Instructors can add this widget to their course homepages to help students organize courses activities by overdue and upcoming due dates. Note: The Work To Do Widget specifically displays learning activities with an overdue or upcoming deadline, it will not display activities with no due dates or end dates.

 In order for your added widgets to appear on the course Homepage, you will need to make a new Homepage the course default.

Follow the steps required to add a widget in your Learn Course:

1. Select Course Admin from the course navbar

2. Select Widgets

3. Select the Homepages tab

4. Click the down arrow to the right of the Two-Column Course Homepage and select Copy

    

5. Click the link to Two-Column Course Homepage – Copy
   
   

    

6. On the Edit Homepage page, click the Add Widgets button from the desired area where you wish to add the Work To Do Widget

    

7. On the Add Widgets pane, scroll down under System Widgets to check the box beside the Work To Do Widget

8. Click Add

9. You can drag the widget from one area to another if you wish to alter their location

10. Save and Close