BADM 350 Canvas Content Builder
Converts BADM 350 week markdown files into Canvas-ready HTML following the Gies College course style guide.
Workflow
1. Identify Source Files
Week content lives in:
/Users/vishal/teaching/badm350/modules/unit-X-*/week-NN-topic.md
Style guide at:
/Users/vishal/teaching/badm350/canvas-style-guide.md
2. Generate Start Here Page
Read the week markdown and extract:
- Learning objectives (with L-C-E tier)
- Session agendas (Tuesday/Thursday, 75 min each)
- Before/During/After Class tasks
- Readings and resources
- Lab deliverable info
Apply the Start Here template from references/start-here-template.md.
Output to: /Users/vishal/teaching/badm350/canvas-html/week-NN-start-here.html
3. Generate Assignment HTML
Identify assignment type from lab deliverable section:
- Lab: Hands-on practice, 10 pts, completion-based rubric
- Discussion: Article analysis + peer replies, 10-15 pts
- Position Paper: Debate prep + evidence, 15-20 pts
- Essay: Framework application + research, 15 pts
Apply appropriate template from references/assignment-templates.md.
Output to: /Users/vishal/teaching/badm350/canvas-html/week-NN-[assignment-name].html
4. Upload to Canvas
Use Canvas MCP tools:
Create page:
mcp__canvas-api__create_page(course_identifier="67619", title="Week N Start Here", body=<html>, published=true)
Create module:
mcp__canvas-api__create_module(course_identifier="67619", name="Week N: Topic", position=N, published=true)
Add item to module:
mcp__canvas-api__add_module_item(course_identifier="67619", module_id=<id>, item_type="Page", page_url="week-n-start-here")
Create assignment:
mcp__canvas-api__create_assignment(
course_identifier="67619",
name="Assignment Name",
description=<generated_html>,
points_possible=10,
submission_types="online_text_entry",
due_at="2026-01-26T05:59:00Z"
)
5. Generate Setup Instructions
Create /Users/vishal/teaching/badm350/canvas-html/week-NN-canvas-setup.md with:
- Canvas assignment settings (name, points, due date, submission type)
- Rubric configuration table
- Module item order
Key Style Elements
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Icons | Orange #ff5f05 |
| Footer | Navy #12284c |
| CSS | https://instructure-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/account_145590000000000001/attachments/9675811/dp_app.css |
| JS | https://instructure-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/account_145590000000000001/attachments/9675810/dp_app.js |
| Banner | https://files.ciditools.com/illinoisedu/UIUC_banner_Creative_1.png |
Session Structure (Tuesday/Thursday)
Each session has three phases:
- Before Class: Checklist of prep tasks with time estimates
- During Class: Table with Time | Activity | Purpose columns
- After Class: Tasks and upcoming deliverables
Reference Files
references/start-here-template.md- Full HTML template for Start Here pagesreferences/assignment-templates.md- Templates for Lab, Discussion, Position Paper, Essayreferences/rubric-patterns.md- Standard rubric configurations
Canvas Course Info
- Course ID: 67619 (Spring 2026)
- Format: On-campus, Tuesday/Thursday, 75 min each
- Class Size: ~19 students