Linking to the Outside World

You can add Hyperlinks (URLs) to text or images so students can click on them and go to other web sites. Course links go to other parts of your course. For example, you could make a table of contents page with links to the various resources and activities in a Module. Then students could go to a specific place without having to use the Modules page.

To add a link:

Click the Edit button on a Page, Assignment, Quiz, or Discussion.
Select the text or image you want to turn into a link.
Click the Links icon to add a web link, or the small downward arrow to choose a course or external link.
For an External (web) link, enter the URL (web address) of the destination in the Link field.
The text you highlighted will automatically be entered into the Text field. If you selected an image there will only be the Link field.
Click Done.
The text or image will glow yellow for a few seconds, indicating that the link was added. You can test the link after you save the page.
To link to another page or item in your course, select Course Links.
The Add pane will appear.
Click the Page or item to which you want to link.
The text or image will glow yellow for a few seconds, indicating that the link was added.
Click the Close button to hide the Add pane.
To remove or edit a link, click once on it and click Link Options or Remove Link.

Describing Links

Links are most helpful when you know where they are going. When adding a link, use descriptive text instead of pasting in the raw URL or using "click here" as the link indicator. This approach will help everyone (whether they are using a screen-reader or not) understand where the link will take them.

For example, consider a link to the Canvas website:

Correct: Visit the Canvas Website
Incorrect: Click here for the Canvas Website
Incorrect: Visit the Canvas website at https://www.instructure.com/canvas

Comparison of Correct vs incorrect examples

Use the Link Validator periodically to make sure all your links are working. Going through your course in student view will allow you to test the links and resources from the student's perspective. You may also want to take your course for a test drive on your phone or tablet using Instructure's free mobile apps.

Linking to the Outside World

Describing Links

Additional Resources