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Providing a reading list or reader in Canvas

Information for lecturers

Lecturers can refer students to required or recommended literature for a subject or course in Canvas in various ways. The Library has put together an overview for creating and providing a reading list or reader in Canvas.

On this page:

All of the options listed here

  • are copyright -proof 
  • come with correct source citations
  • that automatically link to the full text, if available.

There is also a schematic representation of the three options and the advantages and disadvantages per option.

zoekenindecollectie
Photo Monique Kooijmans

Option 1: Creating a reading list from the UvA-catalogue only

Creating a reading list in Canvas that consists exclusively of sources from the University Library catalogue takes the least time for the lecturer and produces a result that is immediately visible for students. A limitation of this option is that only literature from the University Library catalogue can be included. A disadvantage for students is that they cannot order a printed version (i.e. a reader).

Example of a reading list (from the University Library catalogue only)
  • Manual Creating a reading list
    1. Go to Canvas and create or edit an announcement, page or assignment.
    2. Click on the Apps icon (which looks like a plug) in the editing menu bar.
    3. Click on View All.
    4. Click on CataloguePlus or Database selector and search for the desired source.
    5. Once you have found the right source, click on Embed.
    6. Repeat the process as needed.
students laptop
Photo Marijn van Zanten

Option 2: Creating a reading list from all sources

Creating a reading list in Canvas that includes other sources in addition to those from the University Library catalogue is more time consuming. This list will only become visible after three days, because the University Library must perform a copyright review. A printed reader is not available for students.

Example of a reading list (all sources)
  • Manual Creating a reading list (all sources)

    Start

    1. Log in to the Canvas course as a lecturer 
    2. Click on Settings
    3. Go to the Navigation tab
    4. Drag Readers from the bottom menu to the top menu and click on Save
    5. Click on READERS in the bar on the left
    6. Click on +NEW LIST or +CREATE IT
    7. Give the list a title and click on CREATE 
    8. Choose a template. Options include a template with an eight-week structure.

    Please note: students can only see the completed list after it has been reviewed by the Library.

    Adding sources

    Watch the interactive video or view the interactive PowerPoint.

    Moving sources

    Hover the cursor over the source until a blue bar appears. Click on the arrows to move the source, or click on the blue bar and hold down the mouse button, then release it after moving the source to the desired place.

    Ready for review?

    Click on LIBRARY REVIEW
    The Library will receive a notification and review the list. Once everything has been approved, the list will be published for students in the course until the end of the academic year. You will be notified of this by email.

    Referring to a single source

    You can choose to show one specific source in Canvas:

    1. Create an Assignment
    2. In the Submission type menu, select: External Tool
    3. Click on Find, then navigate to the list of external tools and choose: Readers
    4. Click Select, then Save and Publish
    5. Go to the source
    6. Click on the ellipsis (‘...’) and select: Re-link from Canvas here

    Changing source citations

    You can change or remove source citations by clicking on the ellipsis (‘...’) after the source and then clicking Edit or Delete.

    Reusing a reading list

    You can reuse a reading list from the previous academic year or from another course, provided that you are/were the lecturer for the course.

    1. Go to the Canvas course 
    2. Click on READERS 
    3. Click on +ROLL OVER
    4. Search for the previous year's course by title or code
    5. Click on ROLL OVER
    6. Make the necessary amendments and click on LIBRARY REVIEW

    If you do not (or did not) have the role of lecturer in Canvas, please contact the Library. They can ensure that you are able to access the list.

reader library
Photo Monique Kooijmans

Option 3: Creating a reader

All sources

Creating a reader in Canvas is the most time-consuming option. An advantage compared to other methods is that the lecturer uploads PDF files, which means students can take notes directly in the sources and order a printed reader if desired. With this option, sources from outside the University Library catalogue can be used as well. An important point to bear in mind is that the lecturer must create the reader well before the start of the course, as it will only be made available to students after 14 days.

Example reader
  • Manual Creating a reader

    Start

    1. Log in to the Canvas course as a lecturer 
    2. Click on Settings
    3. Go to the Navigation tab
    4. Drag Readers from the bottom menu to the top menu and click on Save
    5. Click on READERS in the bar on the left
    6. Click on +NEW LIST or +CREATE IT
    7. Give the list a title and click on CREATE 
    8. Choose a template. Options include a template with an eight-week structure.

    Please note: students can only see the reader after it has been reviewed by the Library.

    Adding sources

    Watch the interactive video or view the interactive PowerPoint.

    Moving sources

    Hover the cursor over the source until a blue bar appears. Click on the arrows to move the source, or click on the blue bar and hold down the mouse button, then release it after moving the source to the desired place.

    Ready for review?

    Click on LIBRARY REVIEW
    The Library will receive a notification and review the list. Once everything has been approved, the list will be published for students in the course until the end of the academic year. You will be notified of this by email.
    Students can order a printed reader up to 10 working days after it has been published. You can also order a copy yourself in the Canon web shop. It will be delivered within five working days to the home address or work address provided.

    Referring to a single source

    You can choose to show one specific source in Canvas:

    1. In Canvas: create an Assignment
    2. In the Submission type menu, select: External Tool
    3. Click on Find, then navigate to the list of external tools and choose: Readers
    4. Click Select, then Save and Publish
    5. Go to the source
    6. Click on the ellipsis (‘...’) and select: Re-link from Canvas here

    Changing source citations

    Once it has been reviewed by the Library and published, the reader will be locked. From that point, it can only be edited in consultation with the Library. 

    Reusing a reading list

    You can reuse a reading list from the previous academic year or from another course, provided that you are/were the lecturer for the course.

    1. Go to the Canvas course 
    2. Click on READERS 
    3. Click on +ROLL OVER
    4. Search for the previous year's course by title or code
    5. Click on ROLL OVER
    6. Make the necessary amendments and click on LIBRARY REVIEW

    If you do not (or did not) have the role of lecturer in Canvas, please contact the Library. They can ensure that you are able to access the list.

    Ordering a reader

    1. In the Canvas course, click on Readers
    2. Click on the ellipsis (‘...’) to the right of the title
    3. Choose Order a printed copy
    4. Enter the requested details

Schematic overview of the options

  Option 1: Reading list (with sources from University Library catalogue)

Option 2: Reading list (all sources)

 Option 3: Reader (all sources)
Time required per course Approx. 15 minutes Approx. 1 hour Approx. 2 hours

Sources from University Library catalogue?

 Yes Yes Yes
Other sources? No  Yes Yes
Modifiable? No Yes Yes, until publication date
Content Source citation + link to external site Source citation + link to external site Source citation + PDF uploaded by lecturer
Immediately available to students? Yes No, within 3 working days No, within 14 working days
Possible to take notes on PDF? No No Yes, configured by lecturer (default: enabled)
Possible to order printed copy? No No Yes

 

Contact for support

Reader coordinators and contacts on location
 

Amsterdam Law School Arnolf van Asperen

020 525 4967
Other faculties

Gijs Rood
Andreja Lekic

020 525 7628
020 525 2242
General support Alice Doek