Stanford provides two recommended options for instructors to publish and maintain centrally-hosted websites for their for-credit classes.
Solutions
1. Canvas
After a successful pilot during the 2014-2015 academic year, Canvas has been adopted to replace CourseWork as Stanford’s primary LMS.
Like CourseWork, Canvas is an all-in-one system that lets you post announcements and reading materials, manage class assignments, run discussion forums, assign grades, and more; the website is just one of many system components.
The transition from CourseWork to Canvas will take place in phases between September 2015 and December 2016. During this time, you have the option to use either Canvas or CourseWork. Beginning January 2017, CourseWork will be sunsetted and Canvas will be the sole centrally supported campus LMS.
2. University IT Course Support (do-it-yourself)
Recommended in cases where the format of an LMS does not meet instructor needs and someone is available create and maintain a webpage using HTML.
- Website is hosted on the university’s main web servers.
- Pre-defined, dedicated namespace for URL (web.stanford.edu/class/my_class_name).
Other digital learning platforms
In addition to Canvas and CourseWork, the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL) also supports the following digital learning platforms: Lagunita, Coursera, NovoEd. To find out which option is the best one for your class, request a consultation with staff at the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning (VPTL).
School-managed websites for classes
Some schools and departments host web pages on their own servers or use third-party solutions. To pursue a local hosting option, talk to administrators and colleagues within your department or submit a HelpSU request.
More options
- Go back to the publish a website guide page.
- Dive deeper into web solutions for specific tasks.
