Home Page

The home page is the first thing students see every time they enter the course, so it is important that it contains important and time-relevant information.

Purpose of a Home Page

The course home page is not only the first impression of the course but serves to provide important information to students, such as:

• a general introduction to the course and who the instructor is
• let students know how to start the course
• let students know how to get help 

The home page to the course is the first thing students see every time they visit the course, so it should include current information as the term progress. One way this template helps to accomplish that is by showing the 3 most recent announcements at the top of the home page. By posting regular Announcements instructors can connect with students regularly and help to "nudge" them along and know what they should be working on.

Another strategy is to include a brief video introduction, or an image to visually communicate the course topics. Some instructors even update these as the course progresses. 

Home Page Samples

The Home Page in this showcase one example, but there are many other approaches:

• Sample 1: Home page with basic information and links to modules
• Sample 2: Home page alternative for lab-based courses
• Sample 3: Home page with a visual menu
• Sample 4: Home page with slideshow
• Sample 5: Home page with welcome video — large and small
• Sample 6: Home page with instructor bio

 

Changing Your Home Page

You can select the option that best fits the course, and adapt the information as needed. Here are the steps to change your Home Page:

1. Click the Pages link in the Course Menu.
2. Then click the blue View All Page button on the top left of the screen. 
3. You will note that the page currently designated as the home page is identified. Click the three dots and select Remove as Front Page.
4. Click the three dots, and select Edit to rename that page to something other than Home.
5. Find the page you want as your home page. Click the three dots and select Use as Front Page.
6. Click the three dots, and select Edit to rename that page to Home.
7. Then click on Home in the Course Menu.
8. In the sidebar on the course home page, select Choose Home Page.
9. Finally, select Pages Front Page.

For more details, see How do I make my home page a "front page"? Links to an external site.