How effective is the support in your online course? Welcome to the 8th edition of Design Matters Digest, a monthly newsletter that explores various elements of online course design and the research that can help you improve your Canvas courses.

First impressions matter. Learn how thoughtful homepage design in Canvas can improve clarity, build connection, and support student success from day one.

Better Canvas courses start with better design. Explore insights, strategies, and real-world ideas to simplify accessibility, improve course quality, and scale what works.

Better course design starts with how learners think. Learn how aligning with mental models can reduce friction, improve clarity, and create more scalable, effective Canvas courses.

Too much content can overwhelm learners and make it harder to understand and retain key concepts. This post explores practical ways to reduce cognitive overload in Canvas and design clearer, more effective courses.

It’s not just about making courses look good. Visual design can shape how learners focus, feel, and engage. Here’s how to use it effectively in your Canvas courses.