Essentials of Canvas Course Design with DesignPLUS Microcredential

Program Overview

This certificate provides a foundation in DesignPLUS by CidiLabs, the easy-to-use and time-saving Canvas plug-in that helps you build and style high-quality courses to make learning engaging and accessible for all students.

Learning Outcomes

The participants will be able to

  • Navigate the DesignPLUS sidebar.
  • Improve your course look, feel, and navigation by leveraging DesignPLUS.
  • Apply DesignPLUS templates to other course pages.

Prerequisites

  • Basic Canvas Skills
    • Know how to create a canvas page, assignment or discussion.
    • Know how to create a new module and add the above contents to modules.
    • Know how to use the rich content editor within Canvas pages.

If you need a refresh on the above Canvas related skills, consider enrolling in the Starting with a Fresh Canvas (1 credit) self-paced workshop that is part of the Essentials of Learning Technologies teaching certificate.

Required Workshops (5 credits)

  1. Introduction to DesignPLUS and This Certificate Program
    Tuesday, November 4, 2025, X:XX – X:XX via Zoom
  2. Building Pages with DesignPLUS
    Friday, November 7, 2025, X:XX – X:XX via Zoom
  3. Enhancing your Canvas Course to Increase Engagement and Accessibility
    Tuesday, November 11, 2025, X:XX – X:XX via Zoom
  4. Breakouts by Interest and Deliverable Support (Open Swim)
    Friday, November 14, 2025, X:XX – X:XX via Zoom
  5. DesignPLUS Showcase – Sharing and Feedback
    Friday, November 21, 2025, X:XX – X:XX via Zoom

Zoom links to be shared via Program Canvas Course

Want to Learn More?

Attend the Interest Meeting

October 20th, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
via Zoom

Register to attend the Interest Meeting

Ready to enroll?

Secure your Spot Today!

Register to enroll in the Microcredential Program

Required Asynchronous Work and Deliverables (5 credits)

  1. Use DesignPLUS to build a Canvas Module template that includes all of the following:
    • Home page,
    • Lesson page,
    • Assignment page, and
    • Discussion page
  2. Showcase these deliverables to your peers during the DesignPLUS Showcase on Friday, November 21, 2025.

FAQs

  1. Who is eligible to pursue and earn this certificate?
    • UNC Charlotte faculty teaching courses.
  2. Do I have to complete all the requirements?
    • Yes, this is a facilitated certificate that runs on the given dates. Participation is expected for all workshops, including the showcase (5 credits) and the deliverables should be completed by the given due date (5 credits). You can miss one workshop, but need to complete the assigned asynchronous activities to receive credit.
  3. How is the certificate awarded?
    • Participants who complete all the requirements (10 credits) will be issued a digital credential via a Credly badge.