Category 1: Use Headings in the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE)
Headings are crucial for structuring digital content, improving accessibility for users with disabilities, enhancing user experience by allowing easy scanning and navigation, and boosting search engine optimization (SEO) by helping search engines understand the content hierarchy.
The structure goes as follows:
- Heading 1 is the title of the page, discussion, or assignment.
- Heading 2 is the section title.
- Heading 3 is the sub-section title.
It is important to keep your content organized. Well-organized content helps users to orient themselves and to navigate effectively. Also, organized content helps the screen reader navigate through the content seamlessly.
- Open the page, Discussion board, or quiz.
- Highlight the text you wish to have as the header text.
- From the toolbar in the rich content editor, click on the down arrow located next to “paragraph” on the second row of the toolbar, then select “Heading 2.”
- For pages that have sub-section titles, use “Heading 3.”
Need more detail?
Delve into the in-depth walkthrough below, complete with images and various notes for every step.
In-Depth Walkthrough
Step 1
Open the page, Discussion board, or quiz.
Step 2
Highlight the text you wish to have as the header text.
Step 3
From the toolbar in the rich content editor, click on the down arrow located next to “paragraph” on the second row of the toolbar, then select “Heading 2.”
Step 4
For pages that have sub-section titles, use “Heading 3.”
Canvas Headings FAQ
How does using Headings help people with disabilities?
Users who need assistive technology, such as a screen reader, will inform the user about the organization of the document. Neurodivergent users will also benefit from the visual organization.
Is there a law about having accessible documents?
Yes, section 508 of Title III in the Americans with Disabilities act requires any digital documents that are available to the public should comply with guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium.
Do Headings help readers who do not have any disabilities?
Users often scan web pages to decide which sections to read. Lack of headings makes this process much harder, potentially causing visitors to skip sections of your document.
