A UX/UI question

[RobertGibson]

Colleagues,

Do you include the wording (or wording to the effect) "Use the Previous or the Next buttons to navigate through module materials." when designing Canvas content? (Noting that there is a Next and Previous button on every page.) Is it necessary?

If so, do you include it on every page in a course? An orientation course? Something other?

[manapacket · Accepted solution]

No, it's generally not necessary to include "Use the Previous or the Next buttons to navigate" on every page, as Canvas already displays those buttons clearly. However, you might include it in an orientation course or the first page of a new module, especially if it's an introductory or beginner-level course. This helps clarify navigation for new users.

[NoahBoswell]

Hi @RobertGibson ,

Thank you for posting on the Instructure Community!

I'm unsure if you are aware of this or not, however you posted on the global canvas community, a place where millions of canvas users can come together and help each other out. The community is not specific to any specific school or organization. That being said, most of the members here in the community wouldn't necessarily know the answer to your question since they aren't affiliated with your organization.

That being said, since it seems your attempting to ask this question specifically to your colleagues, I'd recommend reaching out to your fellow colleagues a different way, rather than posting it here directly in the public community forum, as they likely wouldn't see it here unless told to.

Hope this helps, and best of luck!
Noah

[RobertGibson]

Sorry, but I have no idea what you are referring to. I've posted questions to this forum for years. I'm not trying to ask my colleagues at work. "Colleagues" is a formality on a public forum.

I'm reposting.

[NoahBoswell]

@RobertGibson ,

I apologize for any confusion, from my perspective it seemed like you were trying to get a institution-specific issue addressed.

- Noah

[RobertGibson]

Well, I'm trying this a second time. I got a strange response and the issue was closed

Second time's a charm...

Colleagues,

Do you include the wording (or wording to the effect) "Use the Previous or the Next buttons to navigate through module materials." when designing Canvas content? (Noting that there is a Next and Previous button on every page.) Is it necessary to include that wording?

If so, do you include it on every page in a course? An orientation course? Something other?

[chriscas]

Hi @RobertGibson,

This is an interesting question, and as you probably guessed, I don't think there will be one universal answer.

The first thing I'd consider is whether everything in the course is designed around modules or not.  If the entire course is modular, my initial inclination would be to include info about the next/previous buttons in something like an "intro" module or announcement when the course begins.  If the course is a mix of modules and things not in a module, you could put the info on a page at the beginning of each module. I don't think I'd include it on every page as that would get repetitive, and some things in the module might not have a uniform look (I'm thinking specifically about a discussion or a file, but there would be others too).  Does this help you at all?

I notice you also said "orientation course" as an option, and I'm not sure if you meant a separate student orientation course or a orientation module within the course.  As least at my institution, teachers have a lot of freedom in the way their courses are designed.  Some will use modules, some will not.  For that reason, when we have a little Canvas talk as part of general orientation for incoming freshman, we don't get into course specifics too much.  We'll give info about logging in, setting up notifications, the dashboard, reminding students to check courses often, communicate with their teachers, and how to contact support.  That's about all we do (though it's still a lot in a short time).

I hope some of the info I provided here was helpful, but please do let us know.  Others may chime in with their own opinions and practices around this too.

-Chris

[RobertGibson]

I'm inclined to agree with you, Chris. Seeing it on every page is tedious, although I wonder if UX/UI best practices suggest otherwise. I looked and couldn't find much. It seems to me an orientation/introduction/basics module could include this instructional verbiage. It really compounds the issue when there is tabbed content on the page.

[chriscas]

Hi @RobertGibson,

Tabbed content definitely adds a wrinkle I didn't anticipate.  In that case, I might suggest having some language above the tabs that says something like, "Please make sure you visit each tab before clicking Next at the bottom of the page."

We have generally tried to communicate a "simple is good" strategy to our faculty when it comes to page design.  I know tabs and some fancy things can be done in html mode, but at some point, the design elements start adding too much complexity and definitely are something that's very difficult to provide tech support for when something breaks.  There's definitely no right or wrong here as far as I'm concerned, just different decisions and balances to consider across the board.

-Chris

[RobertGibson]

For Tabs I include a hyperlink anchor that says "Return to Top" located in the lower right. It helps with accessibility and navigation. It takes the user to the top of the tabbed panel.