From Clutter to Curation: Organize Course Resource Lists - Marie Kondo Style!

From Clutter to Curation: Organize Course Resource Lists - Marie Kondo Style!

So much to share, so little time!  As educators, you're passionate about providing the best learning experience—and that often means offering students access to a wide range of supplemental resources. But when those resources turn into an endless scroll of links in your Canvas course, things can get messy fast.

A long, unorganized list of resources is like a cluttered closet or a chaotic library: everything's there, but nothing is easy to find. Overwhelmed students may give up before they even get started.

But, with a little intentional design (and a sprinkle of Marie Kondo inspiration), your resource list can go from digital clutter to a curated collection that sparks learning. Researchers agree that intentionally curated and organized learning materials reduce cognitive load and enable student learning (Ralston-Berg, & Braatz, 2021; van Merriënboer & Ayres, 2005).

In this post, we share design strategies that improve the look, usability, and navigation of your resource lists in Canvas courses.

📚 Decluttering the Shelves: Organizing Resources into Categories

Problem: Long, unstructured lists of resources can overwhelm learners, reducing engagement and usability.

Solution: Group resources into meaningful categories (e.g., by topic, format, or importance).

Example: Categorized external links help learners differentiate and prioritize which to view.

🏷️Clear Signage: Using Visual Cues for Quick Navigation

Problem: Learners struggle to identify relevant resources at a glance.

Solution: Use labels, icons, and brief descriptions to provide context.

Before Lists of links are categorized but lack visual cues to distinguish resources.	After Visual cues (photos and icons) help with easy identification. The horizontal layout allows learners to easily compare resources across three categories.

💡Ask: Does this Resource Spark Learning?

Problem: Learners may be misguided or confused about which resources they should devote time to in order to successfully complete the course.
Solution: Prioritize resources that are directly aligned with learning outcomes. You can always keep a separate Supplemental/Additional Resources section for the curious, but keep the main path focused.

Before Canvas modules incorporate supplemental resources as individual links/pages in the module view, requiring learners to progress through each one.	After A “Supplemental Materials” page at the end of each module collects all resources in one place for learners to view, as needed.

Find Joy in Tidying Up!

Your course is a learning environment. A well-organized resource list supports clarity, reduces overwhelm, and helps students engage with what matters most. A little tidying up can make a big difference!

Need help?  Contact your Digital Learning Connector.

References

Ralston-Berg, P., & Braatz, H. (2021). Online Course Design Structure and Interface. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2021, 15–33. https://doi-org.ezp3.lib.umn.edu/10.1002/ace.20411

van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Ayres, P. (2005). Research on Cognitive Load Theory and Its Design Implications for E-Learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 53(3), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02504793

Article by Shona Burke, Extension Learning Technologies, sfburke@umn.edu