Canvas pretty HTML editor
Thoughts on the new Canvas pretty HTML editor
If you do any of your Canvas page design using HTML then you know that mistakes happen, and they can cause a real headache. Some of that stress is just part of the process, but with the new Canvas pretty HTML editor, tweaking your code will be manageable (and perhaps even a bit fun). This tutorial will dive into the new pretty HTML editor and show you what to expect and how it will improve your course design and development.
HTML editors are incredibly common tools for people who create content online. The traditional HTML editor in Canvas is daunting and cumbersome. Errors were often hard to diagnose and mistakes were a common currency. What this new pretty HTML editor will bring to the table is a way to help us write code by creating indents, highlighting syntax, pointing out errors, and generally organizing the layout for us.
Hey Sean, quick question. When should I use an HTML editor?
That’s a good question. And my unsatisfactory answer is “it depends”. The rich content editor (RCE) is a pretty good tool, and it’s possible that there are many situations when you don’t need to access the HTML code. The RCE is a type of WYSIWYG interface, meaning What You See Is What You Get. This option is great for seeing a markup of the page content before you save or publish. It is easy to use for people with no experience coding. With that said, the HTML editor is a powerful tool and is incredibly valuable for both novice and advanced course developers.
Here’s the thing: HTML is a very useful skill and it is actually incredibly easy to learn. Canvas does not allow us to get distracted with things like Javascript, PHP, most CSS, Java, etc. For better or for worse, all we have access to in Canvas is simple HTML. And for most teachers, professors, and teaching assistance, simple HTML is enough to present our content. A fantastic place to start learning is w3schools. Their mini “try-it now” windows are great practice arenas to start learning code or to develop to the next level.
So I strongly suggest learning some fundamentals of HTML. It’s a lot more fun/frustrating then you’ll realize, and you’ll be better for it.
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