Topics Map > DesignPLUS
DesignPLUS - Getting Started [UW-Madison]
Instructor Considerations
- DesignPLUS has three different parts to it:
- The Sidebar is available in most places you can edit content within Canvas. It allows you to add more complicated features to your pages without needing to know the coding behind it.
- The Upload/Embed Image tool is a new way to get images into your course and edit them from within the Canvas interface.
- The Multi-tool allows you to rapidly build a course by creating templates and reusing them in different modules.
- The DesignPLUS tools should be available in all courses within Canvas.
Using DesignPLUS for the First Time
Sidebar
The sidebar can be found in the following areas:
- Pages
- Assignments
- Course announcements
- Course syllabus
- The description portion of discussions (including discussion redesign)
- The description portion of classic quizzes
- Global Announcements
To show the sidebar, simply edit any of the areas listed above, then click on the rocket ship icon in the upper right corner. 
The sidebar should then appear on the right side of the page. 
If you need more room to edit, select the button with three horizontal lines in the upper left to hide the Canvas Navigation menu. 
Upload/Embed Tool
The Upload/Embed Tool is available from within the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). To access it, please do the following:
- Select the Apps menu from the toolbar of the Canvas RCE.
- Then select View All
- If you have done this already, the Cici Labs Upload/Embed Image may be available directly from the Apps Menu.
- Then select Cidi Labs Upload/Embed Image
Multi Tool
The Multi Tool is available to be added to your Canvas navigation menu. It is not enabled by default, so to access it you’ll need to add it.
- From the Canvas Navigation Menu, select Settings
- Select the Navigation tab from the top of the settings page.
- Scroll to find the Cidi Labs Multi-Tool tile
- From the ⋮ button on the side, select Enable.
- You can also drag this element to the top area to enable it or to reorder the tools on the Navigation menu.
- Select Save
- Go to the Cidi Labs Multi-Tool, which is now listed on the Canvas Navigation Menu.
- To use the tool, you must select Authorize on the next prompt.
The DesignPLUS suite of tools is a teaching and learning tool centrally supported by the Learn@UW-Madison team. For technical support questions, instructors should contact the DoIT Help Desk.
Tool Functionality
Basic Functionality
- DesignPLUS is designed to help users create engaging and dynamic courses with an easy click to add interface. Click where you want the element, and then click on the element from the Sidebar to add it.
- The Upload/Embed Tool allows for basic editing of images, adding of alt tags, and pulling in images from online sources to easily add this content to your course.
- The Multi-Tool allows you to rapidly create course sections through a drag and drop interface.
Advanced Functionality
- DesignPLUS has more advanced tools that can be used by downloading more features from the Canvas Commons. They allow for creating elements and sharing them among courses instructors have access to.
- Designers can have access to a special course that can share elements with courses within a sub account. To access this course, please reach out to your local support team.
Additional Training Resources
Pricing
UW-Madison has an institutional license for DesignPLUS. There is no direct cost to UW-Madison students, staff, and faculty.
Student Data Privacy and Transparency statement
Student Data Privacy and Transparency statement
UW-Madison operates a number of central IT systems and services that support teaching and learning. All of these systems collect, record and generate data related to student learning activities. For more information, please refer to the UW-Madison Teaching and Learning Data Transparency Statement