Using the Canvas Commons
Find existing content for your Canvas Course
After talking with some of the presenters from our PD day, shout to out Natalie and Christine, we were surprised that a good amount of the staff is not aware of the Canvas Commons. So I thought I would create this quick post to remind everyone about this great resource.
What is the Canvas Commons?
The Canvas Commons is a digital library that contains content created by other teachers. The Commons allows teachers to share resources with others, allowing them to import these resources into their own Canvas course.
The Canvas Commons is a digital library that contains content created by other teachers. The Commons allows teachers to share resources with others, allowing them to import these resources into their own Canvas course.
Where can I find the Canvas Commons?
When you have logged into your Canvas Instructor account, look for the "Commons" button in the far left menu. Click on it to enter the Commons.
How does the Canvas Commons Work?
There is a lot of content available in the Canvas Commons. By default, you will have the "Green Local Schools" filter turned on. This filters and shows only content Green staff members have added to the Commons. More on sharing content later, but for looking for things created by non-Green staff you will need to turn this filter off. Turn off this filter by simply clicking the X at the end of the label.
When you have logged into your Canvas Instructor account, look for the "Commons" button in the far left menu. Click on it to enter the Commons.
There is a lot of content available in the Canvas Commons. By default, you will have the "Green Local Schools" filter turned on. This filters and shows only content Green staff members have added to the Commons. More on sharing content later, but for looking for things created by non-Green staff you will need to turn this filter off. Turn off this filter by simply clicking the X at the end of the label.
You can now search for content and will discover material added by teachers outside of Green. Start by typing something in the search box at the top. For example if I am doing lessons on "The Great Gatsby" I could type in "Great Gatsby" and I would find 102 results that include quizzes, modules, pages, assignments and even entire courses. I am able to import any of these into my own course and use them with my students.
You can apply filters to your search in order to find more specific content. For example if I wanted to find a quiz I can use with my students who just read "The Great Gatsby", I can click the filter button and then click the quiz button.
This will limit the search results to just Canvas Quizzes. You can run similar filters for Modules, Assignments, and Pages as well. You may also filter by grade level to help focus the content to your age students.
You can preview the content by clicking on the links in the search. This will allow you to see if the content is what you want before you bring it into your Canvas Course. Please note that this content is not vetted, so please use your professional discretion before adding content to your course from the Canvas Commons.
How do I get this content into my Canvas Course?
Once you find content you like and want to use in your Canvas course, you can import it by clicking the "Import/Download" button on the right side of the screen.
Once you find content you like and want to use in your Canvas course, you can import it by clicking the "Import/Download" button on the right side of the screen.
You will then be asked to identify into which of your Canvas course(s) you would like to import the content. Then simply click the "Import into Course" button.
Keep in mind if you import a Module, you will be getting all the pieces of that Module (assignments, quizzes, pages, discussions, etc.). So this is a fast way to get a lot of content into your course.
Once the content is in your course, you will need to unpublish things you don't want the students to see, add the appropriate assignment types (practice and achievement), as well as alter some due dates. If you import things to ProgressBook you will have to set assignments to sync as well.
Can you just show me a video of you doing all the steps?
How can I share content to the Canvas Commons for other to find?
1) Find the content you want to share (if it is an assignment, go into "Assignments" in your Canvas, if it is a Module, go into the "Modules" in your Canvas course, etc.)
2) Click the three dots at the end of the content
3) Choose "Share to Commons"
4) Choose who can use this resource ("All of Green Local Schools" - will limit it to just our staff)
5) Complete the rest of the info as appropriate
6) Click "Share"
It is that easy!
Hopefully this will help you find and share content in the Canvas Commons. If you need assistance feel free to schedule me to come and work with you or your department.
For more helpful information and the archive of previous posts, look for items in the menu to the left.
Green Local Schools
Tech Integration Team
