The Multi-Tool is a set of 4 tools available in Canvas that provides some very useful time-saving features. You can use it to layout content for a new course and you can also use it to update content that has been imported from a previous course. The Multi-Tool is one of the tools that we license from the CidiLabs company.
The four Multi-tool tools can be seen in the screenshot below.
The Template Builder
The Template Builder allows instructors to create templates for assignments, pages, classic quizzes, and discussions. The Template Builder also provides easy access to settings for using a page as your front page.
The Module Builder
The Module Builder is the real powerhouse in the Multi-Tool. There are several tasks that you can accomplish with the Module Builder that can significantly speed up your course development time. The big advantage of using the tool is that you do not have to open each item > click edit > edit > click save. You can make all the changes in the Multi-Tool.
- You can re-order the modules using simple drag-and-drop feature
- Easily rename modules and module items
- Add and remove items to/from modules
- Create multiple modules in one operation based on a pattern of repeating elements that you define
The Due Date Modifier
The Due Date Modifier is a tremendous time saver, particularly when you have imported content from a previous course. There is a simple due date modifier available on your course’s Assignment page but the Due Date Modifier that is part of the Multi-Tool has several additional features. Both tools allow you to change due dates and availability dates in one place but the Multi-Tool’s Due Date Modifier also allows you to set dates for showing and hiding quiz answers, it lets you filter dates by item type (quiz, assignment etc.), and it also has a date Black Out feature that lets you identify specific dates that you want to be sure to avoid when setting dates and lastly there is a field that allows you to set default times on due dates.
The Delayed Announcement Modifier
The final goodie in the Multi-Tool is the Delayed Announcement Modifier. This tool lets you post-date all of the prior semester’s Announcements that have been included in a course import. For instructors that include a lot of detail in their announcements, they may find it useful to retain all of that text. However, when you include Announcements in an import from a previous course, all of those Announcements will be visible to your current term students from Day One. Those old announcements are likely to cause confusion for your new students. Using this tool you can avoid that problem.
Getting Help With Course Design and Development
The Multi-Tool is only one of many resources available that can make your course development and design process more efficient and successful. The Teaching and Learning Technologies team is here to help you with all of those tools and techniques.
Please visit our Appointment Tool to schedule a consultation with one of the Teaching and Learning Technologies consultants. You can also find this link in the Help tab in Canvas.