Canvas Commons

Commons is a learning object repository that enables educators to find, import, and share resources. A digital library full of educational content, Commons allows Canvas users to share learning resources with other users as well as import learning resources into a Canvas course. 

Accessing the LBCC Canvas Commons (Read this first).

Canvas Commons @ LBCC (Direct link).

What is Commons Course Sharing?

The Canvas Team is happy to introduce a simple process for faculty in your department to share Canvas course shells internally. It uses Canvas Commons, which lives right on your Dashboard and allows you to add and import courses with just a few clicks. Setting it up can take just a few minutes, and it’s simple for your departmental peers to add materials.

Why share courses in Canvas Commons?

1. Share great course shells with each other - reuse content and get ideas

2. Support part-time faculty in course development that aligns with your department's goals

3. Promote the use of OER-based course shells

Can I try it by myself first?

Yes. First learn the process. You have three options to learn: 

1. Review the click-through instructions,

2. Watch the demonstration video (5:36), or 

3. Schedule a time with me. 

Then prep your course for upload.

1. Pick your course. 

2. Check the course size. Ensure it is <500MB (<500,000KB).

   1. Courses >500MB (>500,00KB) can be shared to Commons by a separate process than what is documented here. Reach out to lms-admins-lb@linnbenton.edu if this applies to you.

3. Scrub ALL identifying student data, including files, pages with names, links to student works, announcements, etc. You must comply with FERPA privacy law in this way.

4. Ensure the course is accessible. Use the embedded accessibility tools in Canvas, such as Yuja. Accessibility Resources can help.

Then try it with a couple of courses and see what you think.

It worked! How do other faculty in my department re-use a course I upload?

Follow this instructional click-through or use the Canvas Guide to import a course from Commons. 

Note that if the course to be imported is greater than 350 MB (350,000 KB), you’ll need to contact lms-admins-lb@linnbenton.edu prior to importing.

I want to move forward. How do I include my full department?

1. Add the faculty (FT and PT) you want added to your group 

   1. See steps 21-30 in the click-through, timestamp 3:55 in the tutorial video, or the Canvas guide

2. Communicate this process to those faculty. Ask them to upload their courses. 

   1. You may want to set parameters around that. As Group Admins, you can always curate content, though individual faculty are also able to remove their courses from your Group.

Bonus: This is the process OER Grantees will also need to follow to add their grant outputs to the LBCC OER Repository in the coming months. I'll do separate outreach for that group, but learning it now is a win.