How Teachers Copy a Canvas Course

Introduction

This article will walk you through the process of exporting course content from one Canvas course and importing it into another. In our setup, Canvas courses are automatically created through our Powerschool integration, which simplifies course management and content organization.

Preparing for Course Content Transfer

Importance of a New Canvas Course

Before you begin the transfer process, it's essential to have a new, blank course set up in Canvas. This is because the imported content needs a clean slate to be integrated effectively. Usually, new courses are automatically created via Powerschool synchronization. If you do not see your new course:

  1. Check your Canvas dashboard for any newly created courses.
  2. If the course is not there, contact our support team to request the creation of a new course.
  3. You can manually create a Canvas course and import the copied contents, however this course will not be synced with Powerschool and will not allow grade passback into Powerschool, or automatically update the rosters.  This should only be done if you need to copy the previous course and tweak the contents before your Canvas course is automatically created.  In this case, you'll need to perform these steps again, once you've got the course set up and the way you want it.

Exporting Course Content from Canvas

Step-by-Step Guide to Export Content

To export content from your existing Canvas course:

  1. Log in to your Canvas account and navigate to the course you want to export content from.
  2. Click on 'Settings' in the course navigation menu.
  3. Scroll down to the 'Export Course Content' section.
  4. Choose the content you wish to export (e.g., assignments, quizzes, files) and click 'Export'.  This will create what is known as a “Common Cartridge” file for LMS (learning management systems) with a .imscc file extension.
  5. Once the export process is complete, download the .imscc file to your computer.
    1. The IMSCC file will appear as a link on the same export course content page
    2. Simply click the link to download the export.
  6. Often this process is performed by the “source teacher” and the .imscc file is shared with the “destination teacher”, usually as an email attachment or on a USB flash drive.

What Content Can Be Exported

You can export various types of content, including:

  • Assignments
  • Quizzes
  • Files and folders
  • Pages and modules
  • Discussions

Tips and Best Practices

  • Organize your content into folders for easier import.
  • Double-check that all necessary materials are included in the export.

Importing Content into a New Canvas Course

Step-by-Step Guide to Import Content

To import content into your new Canvas course:

  1. Log in to your Canvas account and open the new course.
  2. Click on 'Settings' in the course navigation menu.
  3. Select 'Import Course Content' in the right-hand side panel.
  4. Choose 'Canvas Course Export Package' and upload the .zip file you exported.
  5. Select the content you want to import and click 'Import'.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Issue: Import fails or is incomplete.
    • Solution: Check if the .imscc file is corrupted and re-export from the original course.

Important Considerations

Syncing with Powerschool

Remember, the courses in Canvas are synced with Powerschool. Any changes made in Canvas might not reflect in Powerschool immediately. Keep this in mind during the import/export process.

Data Integrity and Privacy

Ensure that you handle student data with care. Maintain confidentiality and comply with all relevant data protection regulations.

Conclusion

Exporting and importing course content in Canvas is a straightforward process, especially with a new course ready. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions, please don't hesitate to contact our support team for assistance.

Additional Resources