As stated previously, it is recommended that your initial course design and content creation be done in your Canvas development shell. This implies that when transferring content from one shell to another, it should be from your development shell to the new semester course shell.

Transferring course content between Canvas shells is an essential skill for educators managing multiple courses or updating existing ones. This guide will explore two methods for transferring entire courses: the standard method and the use of Canvas Commons. By understanding these methods, instructors can efficiently manage their courses and save time in the course development process.

Demonstrating the Standard Method for Transferring Course Content

The most common method for transferring course content, whether from a development shell to a new semester course shell or between course shells, is using the "Copy a Canvas Course" content type within the "Import Content" option. Detailed step-by-step guides for this process can be found in the "1.5 Restoring/Copying Entire Course Content Guide" from the "Canvas Safety Net: Securing Your Course Content Data and Grades" module. This guide offers a comprehensive walkthrough of copying content from your development shell to a new shell.

We encourage you not only to review this specific guide but also to explore the entire Canvas Safety Net module, as it provides essential information on protecting your course content. Additionally, we recommend consulting the

Canvas Community Guide on "How To Copy Content From One Canvas Course Shell To Another" for more detailed instructions. Also provided is a quick overview video on this process.

The following steps, provide basic step-by-step instructions for reference. However, for more comprehensive information, please refer to the "1.5 Restoring/Copying Entire Course Content Guide" or the Canvas Community Guide resource mentioned above.

Access Settings: In the Canvas course shell where you want to import content (i.e., the new semester course shell), navigate to the "Settings" link located in the course navigation menu.
Import Course Content: On the right side of the Settings page, click on "Import Course Content."
Select Content Type: In the "Content Type" drop-down menu, choose "Copy a Canvas Course."
Search for the Course: Use the search function to find the course from which you want to copy content (i.e., your development shell). You can type the name of the course in the search box. If you have access to more than 100 courses, only the Course Name field will display for searching.
Select the Course: Once you find the development shell course, click on it to select it.
Choose Content to Import: Decide whether to import all content or select specific content. If you choose to import all content, you can proceed to the next step. If you select specific content, you will need to specify which items to import after initiating the import process.
Adjust Events and Due Dates (optional): If desired, you can adjust the events and due dates associated with the course content. You have options to shift dates based on the new course's start date or remove the dates altogether.
Start the Import: Click the "Import" button to begin the process. If you selected specific content, you will need to click "Select Content" after the import starts and then choose the specific items you want to import.
Monitor Import Status: After starting the import, you can monitor the status of the import under the "Current Jobs" section. The status will update as the import progresses, eventually showing "Completed" once the import is finished.

These steps ensure a smooth transfer of course content from your development shell to the new semester shell using the "Copy a Canvas Course" option within Canvas, allowing for efficient reuse of existing materials.

Demonstrating the Use of Canvas Commons for Content Transfer

The steps below offer a quick and easy guide to get started with the Canvas Commons. However, we also recommend reviewing the following resources for an in-depth guide to Canvas Commons. These resources provide comprehensive information on everything you would like to know about Canvas Commons within the Canvas Learning Management System.

Complete Canvas Commons User Guide
How do I use Commons?
How do I share a resource to the Commons?
How do I import and view a Commons resource in Canvas?

Uploading Content to Canvas Commons

Open the Course: Navigate to the course shell that contains the content you wish to share (i.e., your development shell).
Open Settings: In the course navigation, click on the "Settings" link.
Share to Commons: In the sidebar, you will find an option labeled "Share to Commons." Click on this link.
Choose Sharing Options: You can select how widely you want to share the content (e.g., publicly or within a specific institution or group).
Choose Content License: Select an appropriate content license from the options available, which could include various Creative Commons licenses.
Add Metadata: Enter relevant metadata for the resource, which could include tags, a description, and other identifiers that help other users find and understand the context of the content.
Add Grade/Level: If applicable, specify the educational level the content is suitable for (e.g., undergraduate, graduate).
Share to Commons: After filling out all necessary information, click the "Share" button to upload the content to Canvas Commons.

Importing Content from Canvas Commons

Navigate to Canvas Commons: Use the "Commons" link in the global navigation bar to access Canvas Commons.
Search for Content: Use the search bar to find the specific content you want to import. You can use keywords, tags, or the name of the resource.
Select the Resource: Click on the title of the resource to view more details.
Import into Course: On the resource detail page, you will see an option to "Import into Course." Click this button.
Select Course: A list of your courses will appear. Check the box next to the course(s) into which you want to import the content (i.e., the new semester shell).
Confirm Import: Click the "Import into Course" button again to start the import process. The content will then be imported into the selected course shell, and you will receive a notification when the import is complete.

Advantages of Using Canvas Commons

Efficiency in Course Development: By using Commons, instructors can reuse and repurpose existing content without the need to recreate materials from scratch. This saves significant time and effort, especially when setting up new courses or updating existing ones.
Collaboration and Sharing: Commons fosters a collaborative environment where educators can share their resources and benefit from others' work. This not only enhances the quality of educational materials available but also promotes a sense of community among users.
Customization and Flexibility: Instructors can choose what content to share and how widely to share it—whether privately, with specific groups, or publicly. This flexibility allows for tailored content distribution that meets the specific needs of different courses or departments.
Quality and Diversity of Resources: With a wide range of materials available from various educators and institutions, Commons offers a diverse pool of high-quality resources. Instructors can find and use materials that best fit their pedagogical needs and course objectives.
Ease of Access and Integration: Commons is seamlessly integrated into the Canvas LMS, making it easy for instructors to access and use. The interface is user-friendly, and the process of sharing and importing content is straightforward.
Continuous Improvement: Since Commons allows for the updating of shared resources, instructors can continuously improve and update their materials based on feedback and new educational strategies. This iterative process helps in maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of course content.

Conclusion

Transferring entire courses in Canvas can be accomplished through the standard method or the use of Canvas Commons. As recommended, it is best to create and design your course content in a development shell before transferring it to the new semester course shell. The standard method involves copying content from your development shell to the new semester course shell within the Canvas platform. Canvas Commons, on the other hand, provides a collaborative space for sharing and importing course content.

Both methods offer efficient ways to reuse and repurpose existing materials, saving time and effort in course development. By understanding and utilizing these methods, instructors can streamline their course management processes and leverage the wealth of resources available within the Canvas community.