One of the most common, time-consuming requests that I get as an admin is instructors asking me to add another instructor their course. So that's my problem: that I am spending way too much time and energy on these requests. Why are they constantly making this request? Because the other instructor would like to view the course (as a teacher), and usually also course copy the material into their own course shell. They need a Teacher-based role for this. Why don't we allow teachers to add other teachers to their own courses? Potential for FERPA and CBA violation.
Why don't we allow them to add designers etc to their own courses? This could potentially be acceptable, but again they need that Teacher-based role in order to do the course copy.
Why don't we suggest that they use Canvas Commons? I do. I DO!!! I have spent so so much time explaining and evangelizing Canvas Commons and it is just not happening. They are not having it. I will be the first to admit that Commons is clunky, but I tried really really hard to push for it. I am throwing in the towel. It is taking more time and energy to explain and cajole towards Commons than I am willing to spend.
Why don't we use the Direct Share tool or Export/Import? Direct Share is GREAT tool, but it does not work for entire courses. Export/Import is a clunkier solution than anything described so far. And, like Commons, it requires explaining a process to both parties (sending Teacher and receiving teacher)
I have a few possible solutions:
1. Direct share of entire courses. This would be the most elegant from a UX perspective. But I assume this is not easy or it would already be available.
2. Fix the major flaws of Canvas Commons:
3. Temporary Enrollment. This wouldn't cut down on my workload but it would make me feel more comfortable adding teachers to each others courses if it was temporary. I have read this is in the works: Temporary Enrollment Pairing: A flexible workflow .... I am happy about that, but it's my least favorite of the solutions to this problem (although it will be useful for other purposes). I'm just reaching a boiling point with these requests from faculty and need relief!
