Links
Summary
There are various ways to link to external websites or other course items.
Relevant VLE site design principles
- 3.4 Essential: Site and materials content is accessible.
- 3.6 Essential: Links and materials titles describe the destination or content.
Standalone Link item
Links can be added as a standalone item within the Course Content area. This is recommended for reference materials or other content that doesn't require context, such as student handbooks.
Add a Link item
- Hover over where you want to add the link and click the plus icon.
- Choose Create then select Link.
- Edit the title to show the link name, make it visible to students, enter the relevant URL, add a brief description, and click Save.
Watch a demonstration of adding a standalone Link item:
Adding links in Ultra [YouTube]
Integrated hyperlink
Within a Document or other content item, Links can be integrated into text content. This gives context to the linked content and makes it easier to navigate content.
Add a hyperlink
- If adding a hyperlink to pre-existing text, highlight that text.
- Press the Link tool in the Text Editor
- Enter destination URL and a descriptive link (not "click here" or "open link") and press Insert
Watch a demonstration of adding a hyperlink:
Adding hyperlinks in Ultra[YouTube].
Hyperlink accessibility tips
These tips are important for assistive technology (eg. a screenreader can pick out just the links from a page) and also make your content more readable:
- Describe the link content, eg: How to write better link text.
- Don’t use generic text like ‘Click here’ or ‘more information’ - the link text must make sense by itself.
- Don't enter the raw URL as text.
- Don’t use the same link text for different URLs on one page.
Course Link
Use Course Links to add a standalone link to another item within the same Ultra site. For example, you could link to an item in the Assessment section in the week it should be completed.
A Course Link appears in the Course Content area with a small link icon. Editing or deleting this link does not change the original item.
Add a Course Link
- Hover over where you want to add the link and click the plus icon.
- Choose Create then select Link.
- Select Course Link.
- Enter a keyword and/or select relevant Category.
- Click Search.
- Select the relevant item from results. You can adapt the display name and add a description for the link item (this does not change the original item).
- Click Save