Share course content

General
Commons
Migration from LEARN to Canvas WU
Use Cases & Tips

How do I import an entire course into my course?

In Canvas WU, you can flexibly share and import courses, course content, and course settings from other people or other courses. To import an entire course into another course, follow these steps:

1. Open the target course, navigate to Home and click on Import Existing Content.
2. From the Content Type drop-down menu, select Copy a Canvas course.
3. Tick Include completed courses and search for the course from which you would like to transfer content.
4. Under Content, select All content.
5. It is recommended to select Adjust events and due dates and click Remove dates under Options.
6. Click on Import.

The selected course will now be imported into your target course. This may take a few minutes.

NOTE: Under Settings, click Validate Links in Content to test whether all course links work after the import. An Error message will tell you whether a target content is missing, has been renamed or has not yet been published.

How do I import only specific course content from another course into my course?

Canvas WU also allows you to import specific content from other courses into your course. This gives you more flexibility with the content in your course. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Step: Choose Course

1. Open a target course and go to Home.
2. Click on Import Existing Content
3. Under Content type, select Copy a Canvas course.
4. Tick Include completed courses and search for the course from which you would like to copy content.
5. Under Content click Select specific content.
6. It is recommended to click Adjust events and due dates and select Remove dates.
7. Click on Import.

2. Step: Choose Content

Under Current Jobs, you will now see the previously selected course in the list. Proceed as follows to specify all the content you would like to select:

1. Click on Select Content
2. Select one or more content types that you would like to include in the current course.
3. Click on Select Content.

All selected content is transferred to your course with its current settings. Modules are imported with all their embedded content. Depending on the size of the content, the import may take several minutes.

ATTENTION: If you import course pages that contain internal links, make sure that the linked course pages are also selected in the import selection.

How do I save a course as a template for later use?

In Canvas WU, you can save course templates on a local computer and reuse them later. This means you only have to design recurring courses once and can use them over and over.

1. Step: Create Course Template

1. Open a course and go to settings.
2. Select Export course content in the right-hand menu.
3. Select Export type: course and click on Create export.

You will find the export in the list of Content Exports and can download it by clicking on it.

ATTENTION: The export link is only available for 30 days. Make sure to save the export file timely on your computer.

2. Step: Course Template Usage

1. Open a target course and go to Import existing content
2. Under Content type, select Canvas course export package
3. Under Source, select the desired course template from your local storage.
4. Select the content and click on Import.

The selected course template will now be imported into your target course. This may take a few minutes.

How do I copy course content from my course to another course?

You can copy certain content from one course to another. This includes modules (including content), assignments, quizzes, pages, files and discussions.

1. In your course, navigate to the content you want to copy.
2. Click on the three vertical dots on the right-hand side of the respective content.
3. Select Copy to.
4. Search for the target course in the search window. You need to hold admin permissions in the target course.
5. Optionally, you can select the module in which you want to embed the content.

In the target course, you will find the content in the respective application - pages under pages - tasks under tasks - etc. You can now change the content of the target course independently of the original course.

How do I share my course content with other Canvas WU users?

You can send certain content to other Canvas WU users. This includes modules (including content), tasks, quizzes, pages, files and discussions.

1. Navigate to the content you want to send.
2. Click on the three vertical dots on the right-hand side of the respective content
3. Select Send to.
4. Search for the person(s) to whom you want to send something to in the search window and then click on their name. This way you can also send content to yourself.
5. Then click on Send.

The recipient will be able to find the content you sent under Account in the Shared Content section. By clicking on the three vertical dots, the content canbe imported into a course or the sandbox.

What can I use Commons for in Canvas WU?

Canvas Commons is a digital library of content that can be shared with other Canvas WU users. In Canvas Commons you will find WU-specific materials, but you can also search for suitable content in the EU-wide Canvas community. You can find Canvas Commons in the global navigation bar.

In Canvas Commons you can also upload your own content and make it available only to yourself, a specific group, the WU community or EU-wide. Within WU, only people with admin rights will have access to the Commons library (e.g. lecturers).

NOTE: The data is stored within the European Union in compliance with the GDPR. You must accept the terms of use before using the Commons.

How do I give my consent to use the Commons?

When you first join the Commons, you will be asked to authorize Commons to access your account. If you agree with Commons' policies, click Authorize to use the Canvas Commons. You must explicitly accept the terms of use before using Commons.

How do I revoke my consent to the use of Commons?

You can also revoke the authorization for Canvas Commons:

1. Navigate to Account in the global navigation bar.
2. Click Settings.
3. Under Approved Integrations, you can find Commons.
4. Click the bin symbol to remove the authorization to Commons.
5. The authorization has now been revoked.

If you had public shares, they remain public and active. If you only had account- or WU-restricted resources, they live on but they remain invisible to the search engine. If you want no trace of your activities in Commons there is an option to wipe all data associated with a certain account, this will be managed by Instructure. This process cannot be undone, since there will be no backup. If you wish to delete all data associated with your account, please send a request to our Digital Teaching Services Helpdesk.

To regain access, you must accept the Commons Terms of Use again.

How do I use Commons as a private collection of learning materials?

With Commons, you can manage the content you need for your courses privately.

1. In a Canvas WU course, go to the desired content (page, quiz, module, etc.).
2. Click on the three vertical dotsnext to the content.
3. Select Share to Commons.
4. Under 'Who can use this resource?' select Only me
5. Add a title, a short description and a cover image.
6. Confirm with Share.

You will find the content of your private collection in Commons under Shared. Here you can also adjust the access settings and, if necessary, share them with colleagues or external users..

How do I share content with other users on Commons?

With Commons, you can also share content with a larger group of users.

1. Go to the desired content (page, quiz, module, etc.) in a Canvas WU course.
2. Click on the three vertical dots next to the content.
3. Select Share to Commons.
4. Under 'Who can use this resource?' select your preferred access settings.
5. Add a title, a short description and a cover image.
6. Confirm your entries with Share.

You will find the shared content in Commons under Shared. You can also customize the access settings here. With the access setting All of WU Vienna, all WU lecturers can access this content, with the access setting Public (any Canvas Commons user) the EU-wide Canvas community can access it, with the access setting Select group(s) you can give certain groups access to a content.

Optionally place the content under a licence. To simplify use in teaching, an open license is recommended: ‘Public Domain’. For all CC licenses, others must then mention you as the author within their Canvas courses. (What types of content licenses are available in Commons? Link to an external site.).

NOTE: Be careful not to share content with internal links to other learning materials, as internal links would then no longer work.

How do I update my own content in Commons?

You can also update your own content that has already been shared in Commons.

1. Navigate to the content you want to update in your Canvas WU course.
2. Click on Share to Commons.
3. Canvas WU recognizes that this is an update of already shared content and asks for your confirmation.
4. You can enter information about the updates you have made under Version notes.
5. Click on Update to save.

This allows you to keep content up to date for you and other users.

How do I import content from Commons into my own course?

Proceed as follows to import content from Commons into a course:

- Click on Commons in the global navigation bar.
- Select the desired content and click on the title.
- Select Import/Download on the right (and optionally Add to Favourites).
- Select the course(s) into which you want to import the content.
- OR: Download the content and save it on your PC.

The import usually only takes a few seconds. You will find the content in the respective application - pages under pages, modules under modules...

You can also use the search and filter options in Commons to find suitable content.

NOTE: The publication status of the imported learning materials is based on the Commons template. If the content was published in the template, this setting will also be applied to your course. It is recommended that you check this setting directly after an import and change the settings if necessary.

How do I update content that I have imported from Commons?

You can also apply updates from imported content to your courses.

1. In the global navigation bar, click Commons.
2. Click on Updates in the top menu.
3. You will now see where you have integrated this content and can select where you would like to update it.
4. Click on Select Update to update the course content.

In this way, you can always keep the imported content up to date.

NOTE: First, check to see what updates have been made. You can do this by reading the release notes or by importing the content into your sandbox so that you can review the updated version.

How can I create and use groups in Commons?

With groups in Commons, you can share and manage content within your whole institute or only with some colleagues. You can request the creation of a group in Commons at Digital Teaching Services.

1. Click on the link and write a ticket to Digital Teaching Services.
2. In the ticket, state the name of the group and nominate a group admin.
3. The group admin will now find an Admin tab in Commons.
4. By clicking on the group, you can manage the group members.

All group members can now share the learning resources they have created within this group.

NOTE: If you cannot find certain users in the selection, it may be because they have not yet agreed to the Terms of Use for Commons.

How do I migrate content from LEARN to Canvas WU?

The migration of existing content from LEARN to Canvas WU is possible in all courses that have not submitted an opt-out request or in a course repository (LMS) that is created as a blueprint course in Canvas WU. Please note that Canvas WU has different functionalities than LEARN and therefore a 1:1 export will not always be possible. The following video provides a good overview of how you can migrate content from LEARN to Canvas WU.

You can migrate downloads, content pages and certain question types (MC and SC questions, cloze questions) to Canvas WU. Migratable question types are displayed in Canvas WU as Classic Quizzes. Instructions for converting to New Quizzes can be found here: Migration in New Quizzes.
The migration of cloze questions is only possible to a limited extent:

- Migration is possible if the gaps can be filled in as text OR dropdown. Questions that contain a mixture of both cannot be migrated.
- Migration is possible if dropdown fields only have one correct answer. If there is more than one correct solution for the gap, the question cannot be exported.

NOTE: The following content will not be automatically migrated Allocations, folders (and any folder structure), groups, peer review or peer rating activities, forums, file storage, and any other course content not specifically listed above. Please restore this content manually in Canvas WU using the options available there.

Written instructions for the migration process

Proceed as follows to migrate content from LEARN to Canvas WU:

1. Step: In LEARN

1. Copy all the learning activities in LEARN that you want to migrate to the clipboard.
2. Open the course or LMS that is connected to Canvas WU. There you will find an Export to Canvas folder.
3. Click in the export folder. Here you will find two subfolders and the option to create additional folders for questions.
4. Copy the content from the clipboard in the appropriate folders. Click in a folder. You will only see the option to add content pages in the content page folder, downloads in the download folder and SC-, MC- or cloze questions in any question folder. Any questions you add to a question folder will be displayed as a quiz in Canvas WU. Thus, you can create as many migration folder questions as you like.
5. Within each folder, click the Canvas Export icon to the right of each item to migrate this content to your course in Canvas WU

2. Step: In Canvas WU

1. Go to Canvas WU and check the migrated content in your course.
2. Edit the migrated content if necessary.

NOTE: Content that has already been migrated will be added again when re-exporting to Canvas WU. It is therefore not possible to overwrite existing materials.

How do I migrate question pools from LEARN to Canvas WU?

You may have collected questions in folders, question pools or in learning modules and sample exams in LEARN. The following description explains how to specifically migrate the questions into the item banks of Canvas WU (the newer format of question banks) using the example of a question pool and sample exam from LEARN. Item Banks are part of the New Quizzes, an application in which the classic quizzes will also merge in the medium term.

1. Step: In LEARN

Proceed as follows to migrate the questions from the sample exam and the question pool:

1. Open your course in LEARN and copy all questions from the sample exam to the clipboard.
2. In LEARN, open the course that was linked to Canvas WU and click on the export folder. Click New at the top.
3. Create a folder for the sample exam and give it a descriptive name.
4. Open the newly created question folder for the sample exam and add all the questions from the clipboard.
5. In each folder, click the Canvas WU export icon to the right of each item to migrate that item to your course in Canvas WU.

Proceed in exactly the same way for the contents of a question pool, for example:

1. Open your course in LEARN and copy all questions from a question pool to the clipboard.
2. In LEARN, open the course that was linked to Canvas WU and click on the export folder. Click on New at the top.
3. Create a folder for the question pool and give it a meaningful name.
4. Open the newly created question folder for the question pool and add all questions from the clipboard.
5. In each folder, click the Canvas WU export icon to the right of each item to migrate that item to your course in Canvas WU.

2. Step: In Canvas WU

Switch now to Canvas WU for further processing

1. In Canvas WU, navigate to the Quizzes tab in your course and scroll to the migrated Classic Quiz .
2. Click on the three dots next to a quiz from the Classic Quizzes format.
3. Select migrate.

The quiz will now be migrated to a New Quiz. You can recognize New Quizzes by this symbol:

How do I migrate Lecturecasts from LEARN to Canvas WU?

You can also migrate lecturecasts from LEARN to Canvas WU.

1. Step: Download

1. Navigate to the course/LMS with the lecturecasts in LEARN.
2. Click on the Lecturecasts folder on the left.
3. Click on Actions next to a video.
4. Select Download
5. Save video files locally

2. Step: Upload

For dual stream videos:

1. Write a ticket to request the upload of a dual-stream video to Planet eStream WU: Request video upload
  - Provide both files (camera and screen) e.g. via an Owncloud share link OR integrate information about where the lecturecasts can be found in LEARN (title and weblink).
  - Specify who the video should be assigned to in Planet eStream (name and WU e-mail address).
2. The video will be uploaded to Planet eStream by the Digital Teaching Services staff and you will be entered as the video owner.

For single-stream videos:

1. Go to the desired course in Canvas WU.
2. Navigate to a module.
3. Click on the plus sign in the module heading .
4. In the top field, select the Content type - External tool - and click on Planet eStream.
5. Under Upload, you can select the desired lecturecast from your files
6. Confirm with Start upload - the lecturecast will be embedded directly in the module.

Embedding via Planet eStream saves storage space and provides centralized video management that can be accessed from anywhere.

For more detailed descriptions of use cases & tips, please visit the Portal - Online Learning Environment.

Where?	What?	What for?	How?
Settings	Archive a course as a template	A sample course for recurring courses	You can save recurring courses in Canvas WU as course templates and use them for the next semester's courses. Use Export course content for this.
Content	Send individual content to yourself	Find important content collected in one place	You can use Send to to store important content in your account under Shared content. From there, you can import it as often as you like into other courses in which you have admin permissions.
Pages	Transfer a wiki or glossary to another course	As a script for students	In a wiki or glossary, pages are linked to each other via course links. Make sure that you transfer all pages with the original title using Send to - Copy to or Import existing content. It can help if you temporarily add all pages together in a module and then import this module. You can then remove the module again as an ‘object bracket’, but this ensures that all relevant pages are actually available in your target course.
Commons	WU template	To standardize the WU corporate identity/ The use of existing teaching and learning structures	Filter for templates from your institution (WU) and adopt content that has been specially developed for teaching at WU by Digital Teaching Services.
Commons	Design elements from external courses	An impulse for creative course design	Search for design elements in all the courses available to you, e.g. banner designs, text box designs, table designs. You can import this content into your sandbox and copy it from there to other courses.
Commons	Teaching and learning formats from external courses	Extend your didactic variants	Take inspiration from others and feel free to use entire teaching and learning packages from external courses. You may find tasks, modules with requirements, discussions and quizzes that you can adapt to your content.

Back to overview