TidyUp and UDOIT are companion tools available in Canvas that work together to support accessible, organized, and inclusive course design.
TidyUp prepares your course by identifying outdated, unused, or hidden content. UDOIT then evaluates your remaining course materials for accessibility issues and guides remediation. Used in sequence, these tools create an efficient and focused course improvement process.
Together, they help ensure that students encounter clear, streamlined course materials that are designed with accessibility in mind.
Two Key Phases of Course Refinement
Course improvement involves multiple stages, including planning, updating content, reviewing materials, and reflecting on student experience. TidyUp and UDOIT support two essential phases within that broader process:
Phase 1: Content Organization
TidyUp helps identify unpublished pages, duplicate or unlinked files, empty folders, and outdated materials. By removing unnecessary content, you streamline your course structure and reduce potential confusion for students.
Phase 2: Accessibility Review
UDOIT scans active course content for common accessibility concerns, such as missing alt text, heading structure issues, color contrast problems, broken links, and inaccessible files. It provides guidance to support remediation.
Using TidyUp before running UDOIT ensures that accessibility scans focus on current, student-facing materials. This reduces false positives from hidden or outdated content and allows you to concentrate your efforts where they will have the greatest impact.
Supporting Continuous Improvement
TidyUp and UDOIT are most effective when used as part of an ongoing course enhancement cycle:
- Revise and update course content
- Clean and organize materials with TidyUp
- Review and remediate accessibility issues with UDOIT
- Reflect on student experience and feedback
- Repeat as part of regular course maintenance
Incorporating these tools into your routine course updates supports sustainable, inclusive design rather than a one-time fix. Small, consistent improvements over time strengthen both course clarity and accessibility.
Why Use TidyUp and UDOIT Together?
Using both tools as part of your regular course update process helps you:
- Save time during course preparation and revision
- Reduce student confusion caused by outdated or hidden content
- Target accessibility improvements efficiently
- Support compliance with WCAG guidelines and institutional requirements
- Create a more inclusive learning environment for all students
Organized, accessible courses reduce unnecessary barriers and cognitive load, allowing students to focus on learning rather than navigation or format challenges.
Tips for Effective Remediation
- Address structural issues first, such as headings and alt text.
- Prioritize high-enrollment or core courses.
- Focus first on content that students actively use.
- Rescan your course after making significant updates.
Small improvements made consistently can significantly improve the student experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will TidyUp permanently delete content?
Yes. TidyUp identifies unused or unpublished items for review. Always review selections carefully before confirming deletions.
Does UDOIT scan unpublished content?
Yes, UDOIT scans all course content within Canvas. Running TidyUp first helps ensure that only relevant materials are evaluated.
Who can I contact for help?
For assistance with accessibility or course design support, contact Teaching & Learning Innovations (TLi) or visit the TLi Get Support Page.
