How do I add permalinks to a Canvas course?
Answer
What are permalinks?
A permalink, also referred to as a persistent link, is a permanent, stable URL that brings users to a specific place on the web. Permalinks are designed to stay the same over time to avoid a browser address changing or no longer working.
Permalinks have multiple benefits on our campus. For the library, permalinks help with copyright compliance, off-campus authentication, and usage statistics. An added benefit to permalinks is they support better accessibility. By providing a link to the article's permanent record in the library database, users (students, instructors, etc.) can access all available versions, including, when available, an HTML website, an online reader, or a PDF. Because PDFs present many accessibility challenges to assistive technology users, permalinks help ensure all students can access library-hosted course materials.
Adding permalinks to Canvas
Database results with multiple versions list the various access methods. For example, a result may show "Get PDF" and "Read Online." Including a permalink allows students to select how they want to engage with the content, while also offering an HTML-version to ensure accessibility.
- Navigate to library.tcnj.edu, the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library main page.
- Seach for your desired resource using the library search tools.
- Option 1:
- Click the link icon on the result, then click "Copy the permalink to clipboard."
- Option 2:
- Click on the article title and navigate to the "Send to" section.
- Click the link icon labeled "Permalink," then click "Copy the permalink to clipboard."
Once you have the permalink, you can decide how you want to share it in Canvas. For example, you can add it to a page with permalinks to all readings for the semester, or link it in the Modules section as an external link. If you add the permalink to a page, make sure to use descriptive link text when linking the database result (e.g., write, "Article Title: Article Subtitle" instead of pasting the URL).