6.3 Step 1: Identify your course’s red thread

When designing your course in Canvas, it’s essential to keep a “red thread” — a central theme or guiding concept — that runs through the entire course. This thread should connect all modules, pages, assignments, and discussions into a coherent learning journey. A strong red thread helps students see the big picture, making it easier for them to understand how each part of the course contributes to their learning and overall progress.

A clear course hierarchy is guided by this red thread. By structuring your course around a logical, interconnected framework, you make sure that students move through the content in a way that builds on previous knowledge and aligns with the course's learning objectives. This makes it easier for students to navigate the course, follow the progression of ideas, and retain key concepts.

Some ways of maintaining the red thread are using consistent language across modules, connecting new content to previous topics, or explaining how the activities tie back to the course’s main goals. Keep this in mind when going through the upcoming steps and questions!