Teaching Support and Academic Technologists at the University of Minnesota recognize that the design of a Canvas course site plays a crucial role in student success. Students have noted that well-designed Canvas course sites significantly influence their approach to learning. This initiative aims to honor faculty and instructors on each University of Minnesota campus who go above and beyond when they create effective and engaging Canvas learning environments, as noted by their students. While we understand that course design and teaching are closely linked, this initiative focuses on celebrating excellence in Canvas site design.
As one student wrote in their nomination of a Canvas site that went on to receive an award: “I am not a big fan of Canvas because many of my professors do not know how to use it well or organize it in a way that is student-friendly. However, [my professor] was able to take the Canvas page and organize it so well that I have yet to miss any assignments. The due dates are all clear and as a student, I always know what is going on even if I miss in-person class.” This sentiment, that Canvas site design impacts student engagement and learning is what we are celebrating with this initiative.
2024-2025 Award RecipientsAward Winning Site Design Examples
Student and Instructor Participation Information
What instructors/faculty should know
How will instructors know they have been nominated?
Instructors whose course sites are nominated will receive an automated email from Qualtrics informing them of their students’ nomination and asking permission for the nomination to proceed. The email outlines steps needed for instructor consent and it includes information about student data protections. You will receive an email for each nomination you receive. If you receive more than one nomination (congrats!) you only need to accept once for each course site. If you have questions or concerns please reach out to [email protected]
What do award recipients receive?
- A $100 Visa card.
- A digital badge.
- Recognition of the winner's name and course site on this website (like the 2024-2025 Inaugural Award Recipients)
- An email notifying the instructor's Dean, Department or Division Chair of the award and recognition.
What students should know
Did you take a University of Minnesota course this year (Fall ‘25 - Spring ‘26) that had a particularly great Canvas site? Something that was easy to navigate, visually appealing, or did something unexpected? Do you want an opportunity to honor your instructor(s) for their effort in creating a great Canvas site? Do you want an opportunity to receive a $25 Visa gift card?
Why nominate one of your courses’ Canvas site?
- Professor recognition
- Nominee incentive
- You could win a prize!
How do I nominate a course site?
To nominate a course site, be ready to provide the following information on the nomination form:
- Your Name
- Contact information (email/phone)
- Campus
- Instructor Name(s) and email address
- Course Name, Number and URL to the Canvas course site for the course you are nominating
- A brief description (8 sentences or less) saying why you would like to nominate this course
- Be prepared to answer a few questions about how the Canvas site design supported your learning
2026 Nomination and Award Timeline
Due to University-wide priorities focused on meeting the April 24th deadline from the Department of Justice clarifications on Title II ADA Accessibility Requirements, we will not review course sites until after that deadline. Students will still be able to nominate Canvas sites after Spring Break.
- Call for nominations: March 23-27
- Nominations acceptance period: March 23-April 10
- Review of Submissions: April-July 2026
- Finalists Awarded: August 2026
Award Categories
About Canvas Course Site Hall of Fame Awards
What are the award category descriptions?
Excellence in Canvas Site Design
This award recognizes instructors who demonstrate intentional innovation in their approach to course delivery in Canvas. We want to celebrate course site designs that go beyond standard delivery to embrace creative, authentic integration of Canvas and educational tools that directly enhance students’ learning experience. An excellent site is more than just a repository; it is a cohesive, intuitive environment where clear navigation reduces cognitive load and allows students to focus on learning. These course sites stand out through their commitment to inclusive design, offering a variety of ways for students to participate. Whether through gamified learning activities, multimedia components, variety in assessments and tools or methods that actively encourage the sharing of knowledge. The recipient of this award will leverage these tools to create an engaging and dynamic Canvas course site enhancing the learning experience and student’s participation and understanding of course concepts.
Exceptional Overall Canvas Site Design
This prestigious award will be presented to a Canvas site that exemplifies exceptional overall course site design and an approach to using Canvas with student success in mind. The recipient of this award demonstrates a creative and holistic use of Canvas that seamlessly integrates interactive elements, innovative ways of using Canvas and other academic technologies, and utilizing Canvas for community-building strategies. The result is a cohesive and engaging learning environment. The winning Canvas site stands out as an exceptional model of excellence, showcasing effective practices in course site design, and setting a high standard for others to follow.
What are the general Canvas site criteria?
Canvas sites that have been nominated and meet current digital accessibility standards as evaluated through UDOIT will be evaluated by at least two University of Minnesota staff reviewers to assure that the course site meets these baseline criteria before being evaluated for one of the awards:
A central space on the site orients students
- A central space within Canvas that orients students with important information regarding the course (for example, syllabus, welcome message, U-required policies, when/where/how class meets, contact information, student support resources, textbook info).
Use of Canvas Calendar
- Up-to-date Calendar items included, for example assignment and activity due dates and other important course events.
Course Site Design and Usability
- The course design is clear, concise, consistent, and efficient to help ensure that students spend their mental energy on learning the content rather than learning how to navigate the course interface.
- The course site has a clear, organized structure (e.g., modules chronologically or by topic with a standard sequence) that demonstrate logic progress and learning flow (e.g., critical items are accessible from any point in the course).
Learning Activity Expectations
- Expectations for learning activities are clearly explained and include submission information.
Alignment between content/activities and the course goals/outcomes/objectives
- Canvas content and activities align with the syllabus and support learning goals, outcomes, and objectives.
Performance and Progress Tracking
- Students are able to track their learning performance and progress throughout the semester using the Canvas site, for example through the Canvas gradebook.
Feedback
- On the Canvas site students are able to consistently access feedback on their academic progress.