Share Files in their Original Format

In the early days of teaching online, it was considered a best practice to convert your content to PDF before sharing it online. Not only do you no longer need to convert your files to PDF format, there are even advantages to sharing files in their original format! Consider the sample scenarios below:

PowerPoint Presentations

When sharing their PowerPoint presentations many instructors add an extra, unnecessary step of converting those presentations to PDF files first. Some instructors save the presentation as PDF with one slide per page, 3 slides per page with notes, or even 9 slides per page:

These PDF files often reflect the preference of the instructor rather than the preference of the students and can be difficult to read the content of the slides - especially on a mobile device! Instead, consider sharing your PowerPoint file directly and students can then view the PowerPoint full screen or if they choose they can easily create their version with 2, 3, 4, 6, or 9 slides per page.

Most students already know how to do this, but if you are concerned you can share these helpful instructions from Microsoft on how to print any way they want in your Canvas course.

In addition to providing more flexibility, sharing a PowerPoint presentation also provides the following benefits:

  1. A file that students can easily open and view on their mobile devices
  2. A more accessible experience for students with disabilities
  3. You no longer have to go through the extra step of converting your files to PDF every time you update your presentations

Word Documents

Word Documents are another example of content that you can link to directly in Canvas without converting it to a PDF file first. Word documents can provide students with a more usable and accessible experience. In some cases, you may even consider adding content from a Word document directly into your Canvas course as a Canvas page or right in your Canvas Assignment !

Questions

Can you help me replace my PDF files with PowerPoint Presentations, Word documents or Canvas pages?

Yes! Please contact us anytime for help in purging your course of inaccessible and difficult-to-use PDF files.

I use Guided notes in my class and like to make those available to my students in a specific format, it is okay to share them as a PDF file?

Sure, although we would recommend also sharing the full PowerPoint next to that link to support students who might prefer that content in another format.

I am using a PDF file to have students fill out a form that they turn in, is this okay?

This is one area where it may make sense to provide a PDF file. We would recommend you contact the campus accessibility office to make sure those PDF forms are accessible. Depending on the form, there may be other options that allow you to gather that same information using a Canvas quiz , Qualtrics, or a Google form .

What if I am concerned about students copying or altering my content?

While PDF format can provide some protection for your content, it may be helpful to know that most students have access to free tools to convert PDF files back to their original format . Students also cannot alter their original file in Canvas. You can also protect your Word or protect your PowerPoint files as well.