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Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) at UMass Amherst invites instructors, faculty, teaching associates and staff to register for the “Design for Learning” workshop series.

The series’ four, interactive, hands-on sessions will be held online throughout the Spring 2026 semester and aim to help transform Canvas courses into clear, engaging and accessible learning experiences. Participants will learn practical design guidance, work with ready-to-use guides and templates, and leave each session with actionable strategies they can apply immediately to Canvas pages, slide decks, handouts and other course materials.

Each workshop stands on its own, though attending the full series is recommended for the greatest benefit.

• Four Principles for Better Slides, Pages, and Print – Tuesday, Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  Learn four core design principles—contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity—and apply them through interactive exercises using Zoom Whiteboards.
   
• Canvas Homepages That Set the Stage – Thursday, March 5, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  Design a homepage that improves navigation, sets clear expectations and supports diverse learners.
   
• Canvas Pages That Engage, Inform, and Guide – Thursday, April 9, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  Create accessible, well-structured pages that keep content in-course and improve clarity.
   
• Canvas Modules That Boost Focus and Flow – Thursday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  Build intuitive module layouts that guide students and simplify course management.

To view the full schedule or to register for the workshops, visit the IDEAS workshops page.