There are multiple ways to reduce the friction students experience within their coursework. This page highlights the common types of library materials faculty use and how to add them to your course in a way that isn't too confusing to students.
Additionally, the instruction librarians have created multiple modules and research videos to assist students in topic selection, searching, evaluating, and synthesizing research and ideas into a cohesive product. Take a look and reach our to your liaison librarian if you have questions.
You can add a link to a Gale article on your Canvas page. Just look for the Get Link icon on the article page in the Gale database.
Want to embed articles directly into your Canvas course? With any of the GALE databases (ex. below), that is possible! Contact Online Learning to have this plug-in added to your Canvas course.
To include library resources from Ebsco, you will need to provide a link to the item. Be sure to use the permanent URL, sometimes referred to as a "permalink."
For Ebsco articles, look for the permalink option either along the right or at the top of the page:
Content: Every electronic thing you have access to through the library.
Useful Feature: “Research Starters” are the first result in most searches and help orient you toward your topic.
When linking to a library eBook within your course, be sure to use the permanent URL, sometimes referred to as a "permalink."
For Ebsco eBooks (the majority of our collection), look for the permalink option either along the right or at the top of the page:
For Gale eBooks, such as Short Stories for Students, use the bookmark icon along the top.
For Infobase eBooks, such as the Bloom's series, use the Direct URL along the left:
For Salem Press eBooks, such as the Critical Insights literature series, please contact the library for the permalink.
It is easy to either link to a Credo Reference article, or to embed a topic page or article into your Canvas site.
Look for the Share option when in an article. When you click Share, you can choose whether you'd like a link or embed code.
Content: Experts create accessible overviews of every person, issue, and topic imaginable.
Useful Feature: a wiki interface makes it easy to get a broad perspective on your topic
A great place to start your research with access to the full-text of hundreds of highly regarded and popular reference books.
Adding a Films on Demand film to your Canvas site is easy, because Canvas "talks" to FOD. You can find your film in the FOD database while editing a Canvas page. To do this:
Click on Tools / Apps / View All / Films on Demand
Search for the perfect film. When you find it, click Embed. Try size medium first.
About Films on Demand: Films on Demand is a large collection of streaming films geared towards academic use. What you see is what you get... all films in this database are available for immediate use.
To include films from Swank in your Canvas course, browse to the desired film and click the Share: Copy Link button.
Swank does not have the ability to embed a film in Canvas at this time.
About Swank: This service includes 25 pre-selected films, with the ability to choose 25 more during the academic year.
Suggest a film: To make a film suggestion, visit Swank and chose the Instructor role. Create an instructor account using your Massasoit email and a password. Browse or search for a film. When you have found a film you would like to use in your class, click on the film and use the Request button.
To include films from Kanopy in your Canvas course, browse to the desired film. Under the film, click on the Share button, then Copy Link.
As of October 2024, DO NOT COPY THE EMBED CODE. Embeds from Kanopy currently do not work in Chrome and Edge browsers.
About Kanopy: This service contains films that can be requested for class use, which the library can then license for 1 year.
Suggest a film: To make a film suggestion, search for a film or topic. Click on "Request Access" in order to show films that we do not currently have a license to. When you find the film you want, select it and fill out the "Request for Access" form.
According to Netflix, if the film you want to show is in the Netflix Media Center, you can screen the film to students as long as you follow the terms and conditions listed on the Educational Screenings of Documentaries page.
Important conditions: