Quercus Home Page Foundations (QHPF)

Abstract

Quercus Home Page Foundations (QHPF) is a self-paced professional learning program that supports instructors in designing accessible, inclusive, and welcoming course home pages in Quercus (Canvas). Through two modules, participants explore principles of student-centred course design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility, usability, and instructor presence. The program combines pedagogical frameworks such as UDL and the Community of Inquiry (CoI) with practical guidance on home page layouts, multimedia, navigation, and accessibility features within Quercus. Designed for higher education instructors, educational developers, and graduate students, QHPF encourages small, intentional design choices that help students feel welcomed, oriented, and supported from their first interaction with a course site.