Is It Possible to Scale Universal Design Principles in Canvas? Welcome to the April 2026 edition of Design Matters Digest, a newsletter that explores elements of online course design and the research that can help you improve your Canvas courses. In the first three months of 2026, the Digest focused on building Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles into Canvas course design. Based on audience suggestions from that mini-series, we’re bringing you a bonus feature, focusing on strategies to support and scale universal design principles across Canvas courses.

Does your Canvas course design provide varied ways for learners to express themselves? Welcome to the third of three special editions of Design Matters Digest, a monthly newsletter that explores elements of online course design and the research that can help you improve your Canvas courses. In the first three months of 2026, the Digest is focused on building universal design principles into Canvas course design. This month, we’re exploring how design can facilitate a variety of options for learner action and expression to support their success.

Does your Canvas course design support meaning-making? Welcome to the second of three special editions of Design Matters Digest, a monthly newsletter that explores elements of online course design and the research that can help you improve your Canvas courses. In the first three months of 2026, the Digest will focus on building universal design principles into Canvas course design. This month, we’re exploring how design supports flexible content representation and helps learners make meaning from course content.

Does your Canvas course design empower various ways to engage? Welcome to the first of three special editions of Design Matters Digest, a monthly newsletter that explores elements of online course design and the research that can help you improve your Canvas courses. Over the next three months, the Digest will focus on building universal design principles into Canvas course design. This month, we’re looking at the role design plays in motivating learner engagement and empowering various ways to engage.