{"id":9377,"date":"2026-03-26T09:22:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/advancing-learning\/?p=9377"},"modified":"2026-03-26T09:23:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:23:33","slug":"canvas-blueprint-courses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/advancing-learning\/canvas-blueprint-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Canvas Blueprint Courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is a Canvas Course Blueprint?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Canvas course blueprint is a\u00a0primary\u00a0course shell that allows departments to manage and share common course materials, structure, and settings across multiple course sections. Rather than building each section from scratch, a blueprint makes it possible to create a consistent foundation that can be pushed out to associated courses while still allowing instructors some flexibility where\u00a0appropriate. For more information, please see:\u00a0Canvas \u2013 How to create a blueprint course<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Might a Department Use One?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blueprints can be especially helpful when a department wants greater consistency across multi-section courses, general education courses, or gateway courses with shared learning outcomes and student expectations. They can support course coordinators and chairs in making sure that core materials, grading structures, policies, navigation, and key assignments are aligned across sections.\u00a0This can improve the\u00a0student\u00a0experience by reducing confusion and helping ensure that all students\u00a0encounter\u00a0the same essential elements of the course, regardless of instructor or section.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can Blueprints Support Digital Accessibility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blueprints also offer a strong opportunity to improve digital accessibility at\u00a0scale. When accessible design practices are built into the\u00a0primary\u00a0course shell from the start\u2014such as clear heading structures, organized navigation, accessible document formats, consistent page design, captioned media, and thoughtfully designed assessments\u2014those practices can be extended across every associated section. This helps\u00a0ensure that the accessibility work\u00a0that is completed\u00a0for a course\u00a0is consistent across all course sections, allowing for digital accessibility at scale.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Good Use Cases?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Departments often find blueprints useful for:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n