Add Content to Your Course

Quercus uses Modules and Pages to add and organize course content. You can upload files such as your syllabus or PowerPoint presentations directly into your course in order to share them with students.


Adding content using Modules

The video below shows you how to add content to your course using Modules.

Click here for information on creating Modules with Requirements and Prerequisites

Click on the link below for more information on building your course and using Modules and Pages in Quercus.

Quercus Support Resources - Build Your Course
https://teaching.utoronto.ca/resources/quercus-quick-guide/ 

The video below explains the differences between Modules & Pages in Quercus.

Quercus Support Resources - Modules and Pages
https://teaching.utoronto.ca/tool-guides/quercus-pages-and-modules/

Adding a link to a video URL in a module

You can add a link ot a video URL in a module, as shown in the screen shots below.

1. Click on the + within the module where you would like to add the video link.

Add a module


2. Select "External URL" from the dropdown menu.
3. Enter the "URL" and "Page Name" (the name that will appear in the module. In this case, as shown in the screen shot above, the link has been named "MyMedia Video").
4. Optional: select "Load in a new tab".
5. Click the Add Item button.

Add item to module

 

Adding content using Pages


Create a Page

Below are instructions for creating and publishing a Page:

1. Click on the Pages link in your course menu;
2. Click on the + Page button (if you have already set a Page to be your course Home Page then you will need to first click on the View All Pages button);
3. Name the Page and provide any instructions in the Rich Content Editor box;
Optional: Use the Content Selector to the right to add a link to any assets (pages, annoucnements, files, etc.) that you have already added to Quercus (note, you can upload new Files here).
5. Click on the Save and Publish button.


Add a PDF to a Page

The video below shows you how to add a PDF file to a Page


 

Embed a Video in a Quercus Page


Once you have created a Page using the instructions mentioned above, you can follow the steps below to embed a video.

1. In the Rich Content Editor box, click on the vertical 3 dot menu;
2. Click on the cloud icon.

Embed a video

 

3. In the box that appears, paste the embed code for your video in the Embed Code field.
4. Click on the Submit button.

Embed video

 

Create and publish a Page that students can edit

Below are instructions for creating Pages that students can edit:
1. Click on the Pages link in your course menu;
2. Click on the + Page button (if you have set a Page to be your course Home Page then you will need to first click on the View All Pages button);
3. Name the Page and provide any instructions in the Rich Content Editor box;
4. Under the Options section, select “Teachers and students” from the dropdown menu under “Can edit this page role selection”;
5. Click on the Save and Publish button.

You can view the revision history for a page by following the instructions below:
1. Click on the Pages link in your course menu;
2. Click on the page that you would like to view the revision history for (if you have set a Page to be your course Home Page then you will need to first click on the View All Pages button);
3. Click on the 3 vertical dots and in the dropdown menu select “View Page History” and the page’s Revision History will appear on the right-hand side of the page.


Additional Resources

Canvas Community - Add content using Pages
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-13018


Import or Copy course content

Below are links with information on different ways that you can move course content into your Quercus course:

Making your content accessible in Quercus

Canvas Community - Accessibility with Canvas
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2061-accessibility-within-canvas

 

Adding SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) Content

Canvas Community - How do I import SCORM files as an assignment?
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10312-4152340211


Files area

By default, the Files area in your course is disabled, so students can't access it. We recommend that you leave the Files are disabled, and share content with students using Modules or Pages. If you do decide to make the Files area available to your students, a table is provided below showing what the students will see depending on whether the Files area is published or unpublished, and also, the individual file access you have allowed for that particular file.

Note: Whenever you add an item such as an image, PDF, or add an attachment to an announcement, it is automatically added to the Files section of the course

Files Area

Individual File

Student Access

Files - unpublished

Files area is disabled and greyed out in the course navigation menu and is not visible to students.

 Files - publish No access, no access if student has link to file
Files - unpublish No access, no access if student has link to file
Files - not visible in student files No access, no access if student has link to file
Files - schedule student availability No access, no access if student has link to file

Files - published

Files area is enabled in course navigation menu and is visible to students.

 Files - publish Full access
Files - unpublish

No access

If student has link, they receive message that file is locked.
Files - not visible in student files Not viewable in Files area, only viewable when student clicks on link provided by instructor
Files - schedule student availability Viewable by student in Files area during times file has been made available by instructor (there is a note of days and times file is available), only viewable when student clicks on link if it is during times file has been made available. 

Note: If a student opens the file during the available time, student can take a screen shot, download, and continue to view it until student closes the file and tries to go back in.

 

Upload and Expand ZIP Files

You can automatically expand ZIP files that you upload to your Files section in Quercus by following the steps below.

1. Go to Files from your course menu.

2. Click on the Upload button. 
Upload File


3. Locate and select the ZIP file on your computer.

Locate ZIP file


4. Click on the Expand It button.

Expand It button


5. Your ZIP file is now expanded and you will see your files listed in your Files area.

Expanded files

 

 

 

 

Quercus Course Shell Quota


Options for storing files

Each Quercus course shell has a quota of 3 GB. Instructors and teaching staff may wish to share large files, e.g., video files, or other types of files in a Quercus course shell.  

If you have large files, they can be shared with students using OneDrive.

If you have large video files, it is recommended that for longer term access and storage, the video content be downloaded and be linked or embedded from one of the following video streaming options:

Reducing the size of PowerPoint files

It is also recommended that the size of PowerPoint slides and PDFs be reduced, which will use less of the course quota, and make it easier for students to download and access your content.

Below are instructions for reducing PowerPoint and PDF file sizes using a MAC and PC.

PowerPoint: 

PDF Documents: