Getting started in Commons

[rgibson1]

So, we turned Commons on in our test environment today. But, every course I see listed isn't really open to view the content. Maybe a sidebar, but not the actual content. It's tantamount to window shopping. Why would we import something we can't even see? And if those items are intended to be shared with specific people, why do they appear in a global catalog? #confused.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi rgibson1​...

I'm going to tag Deactivated user​ in this post because she also responded to a question I had about Commons this afternoon.  I think she would be your best resource.  I'll also tag your posting with keywords for easier searching.

[mpoole]

Hi Rob,

If I understood your post correctly, you are expressing the desire for Commons to include some type of preview?  That is a feature idea currently open for voting if you want to weigh in. 

[cfierro · Accepted solution]

Canvas Commons is still a beautiful work in progress.  I appreciate that we can start using it while it is still being built.  It's kind of a 'chicken or the egg' first project.  There needs to be content to use it, but at first there won't be a ton of content yet.  It's up to us as a community to build it. 

I recommend starting a new course as a sandbox.  Then add content to that sandbox.  To keep things simple, I named my sandbox course Canvas Commons.  There, I can download items and preview them.  Files, videos, and images are already pre-viewable.

In the feature request for this item

https://community.canvaslms.com/ideas/1086#comment-11041

Commons Product Manager Deactivated user​ asks the community which objects we want them to start on next (what to make pre-viewable next). 

You get share your thoughts.   We can see files, video and images.  I'm guessing assignments would be the next most helpful.

Back to helping building it -

There's a contest!

#Commons1000​

[rgibson1]

Just voted. 😃

[kmcgee]

Hey Rob,

Thanks for your Feedback. I'm excited to hear you were testing Commons out and I can totally understand your frustration around not being able to see previews of the content! cfierro​ has a great response to this question and I hope you find that helpful.

Please let us know if you have more questions or ideas!

Thanks,

Kate McGee

Commons Product Manager