Canvas - New DesignPlus Sidebar

What is the new DesignPlus Sidebar?

Cidi Labs has developed a new version of the DesignPlus sidebar tool. The new sidebar is easier to use and more intuitive to customize, especially for new and basic users.

It is now available to use in CU Boulder Canvas, and will become the default version in October 2024. The legacy sidebar version will continue to be available until the vendor's sunset date, which is currently set for December 31, 2025.

Please note that content created with the legacy sidebar will need to be updated when using the new sidebar. An update tool is included in the new sidebar that will help with most content, but some content may need to be fixed or updated manually. As a result, testing the new sidebar and updating content in a sandbox course is recommended before using the new sidebar in a live course.

If you would like to try out the new sidebar in a new sandbox course, you can fill out this form to request a new Canvas sandbox course: Sandbox Request Form. Once you have a new sandbox, you can begin testing and creating with the new sidebar, and migrating/updating existing content from the legacy version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the new sidebar?

Open a content page in Canvas and click edit. Open DesignPlus with the keyboard shortcut alt+shift+d (Windows) or option+shift+d (Mac). Then, to switch to the new version, use the shortcut alt+shift+v (Windows) or option+shift+v (Mac).

I have content from the legacy sidebar. Do I need to update it?

Yes. If you plan to use existing content with the new sidebar, it will need to be updated. There is an update tool within the new sidebar that will automatically update many things, but you will still want to check your content to make sure it has updated correctly.

What has changed in the new sidebar?

Review this document for information about what has changed: New DesignPLUS Sidebar: What's New?

How do the features of the legacy sidebar and new sidebar compare?

In the Cidi Labs DesignPlus user guide course, you'll find a comprehensive comparison of features between the legacy and new sidebar versions.

Can I still use the old sidebar?

Yes. We recommend updating to the new version when designing course content for your next term. While the new sidebar will be the default tool starting in October 2024, you can switch back to the legacy version until the vendor's sunset date for it, which is currently set to December 31, 2025.

To switch versions, open DesignPlus on a Canvas page and use the keyboard shortcut alt+shift+v (Windows) or option+shift+v (Mac).

I switched versions but still see the other sidebar. What should I do?

The sidebar relies heavily on cookies, so if you are having trouble viewing the version of the sidebar that you've chosen to work with, try clearing your cache, restarting your browser, and enabling your browser's third-party cookie setting. If you need additional assistance, please contact oithelp@colorado.edu.

 

Training and Support Resources