Wiki Page, Sandbox Kevin: [MODULE 1] Importing existing content into a course

Wiki Page
2023-08-31T11:12:26-06:00

The first things instructors ask us is "How do I get my content into a course in Canvas?"

Most instructors usually have some existing course materials, such as handouts, worksheets, syllabus, lecture slides, assignments, readings, documents - well, you get the idea. Therefore, importing course materials into your Canvas course shell is the logical first step. Please keep in mind that the file storage quota for your Canvas course is 500MB.

There are THREE (3) main ways to import content into a course:

1. Importing Course Materials in Bulk

The most common way to import course content (in bulk) is through the course import tool. Course import tool is great for the following:

If you have a folder on your desktop with course materials, simply .zip the folder and upload to Canvas.

If you are migrating from Moodle.

If you have question banks and quizzes that you'd like to import all at once. (NOTE: These files need to be in the form of a QTI zip package.)

2. Copying Content from a Previous Canvas Course

The course import tool also allows you to select and copy from a previous or another existing Canvas course in your system. We have created a set of HSU template courses for you to preview and/or import into your course.

When you copy an entire course from semester to semester, it will include all Announcements and Discussions (if you choose). You can also adjust the events and due dates to coordinate with your current semester (unless you choose to decline this option in which case the old dates will transfer and you'll have to adjust them later).

The following tutorials provide additional details on the Course Import Tool:

What is the Course Import Tool?

How do I copy a Canvas course?

How do I import content from another Canvas course?

How do I import a Canvas course export package?

How do I import content from Moodle into Canvas?

How do I export a Canvas course?

How do I select specific content as part of a course import?

How do I adjust events and due dates in a course import?

How do I view the status of current and prior course imports?

Sometimes you may want to add one or few files as you develop the course, rather than bulk upload zipped content. In this case, consider leveraging the FILES tool.

3. Adding Course Materials via Files Tool

Another way to upload content into your course is through the FILES tab. Similar to the course import tool, you can also add files to your course. Add files as you go or upload a group of files at once.

Canvas makes it easy to click-and-drag files from your desktop directly into your course files page! Files and folders can be locked (hidden from student view). You can also upload and edit HTML files, as well.

The following tutorials provide additional details about Files below:

What are Files for instructors?

How do I view my user files as an instructor?

How do I view course files as an instructor?

How do I view group files as an instructor?

How do I use Files as an instructor?

How do I move and organize my files as an instructor?

How do I rename a file as an instructor?

How do I create a folder in Files as an instructor?

How do I upload a file to a course?

How do I preview a file as an instructor?

How do I upload ZIP files as an instructor?

How do I bulk upload files to a course?

How do I delete a file as an instructor?

How do I download a single file as an instructor?

How do I download a folder in ZIP format as an instructor?

How do I restrict files and folders to students in Canvas?

How do I set usage rights and user access for a course file?

How do I set usage rights and user access for a course file folder?

What document types does Canvas convert using the document previewer?

What types of files are supported in Canvas?

How do I edit an HTML file in a course?

In summary, you can import or add existing content to your course shell in three ways:

1. Using the Course Import Tool (to upload files in bulk)

2. Course Copying another Canvas Course

3. Adding Materials via the Files Tab