LTEC 5510 - Module 6 - Creating a Canvas Course

Welcome back!

This week, I dove into designing my DEMR 2335 Advanced Hydraulics for Mobile Equipment course using a fresh Canvas Learning Management System shell. To keep the 10-week course organized and student-friendly, I created 10 dedicated modules—each packed with the essential weekly content and lesson plans for smooth navigation.

I also developed key pages to give the course a polished, professional look and ensure the design flows logically. The Home Page features the updated Houston City College logo, my instructor details, and several short videos highlighting the HCC Transportation Center of Excellence program, including a special appearance by Dean David Vogel.

While initially planning to use simulator programs like FluidSIM, E4training, and V-Lab to guide students through practical exercises, I encountered some unexpected issues. Thankfully, I found a solid alternative: Lunch Box Sessions – Hydraulics will replace those simulators moving forward.

The CDX program will become more effective once students gain First Day eBook Access via the company’s LTI integration. The CDX publisher generously granted me early access to the online version, allowing me to build the course framework. However, a few adjustments will be needed once the course officially launches at Houston City College in the Spring or Summer 2026 semester.

I’ve also shared the course with my professors and peer reviewer. Together, we explored the modules, Home Page, and Course Objectives page. The feedback was encouraging, and we exchanged valuable ideas on enhancing PowerPoint presentations for better student usability. It’s fascinating to see the variety of presentation tools and formats out there.

From my perspective, developing a course within an LMS like Canvas is definitely a time-intensive process. While it's simple to envision how a course should look, actually building it involves more steps and detail than I initially expected.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Gary Nagelhout