Canvas FFT

[CapeFearLibn]

Hello. I am a current Canvas user as a PT instructor at a university that uses Canvas. I have two current courses through that institution in Canvas. I will soon lose access as I am not contracted to teach in the Spring or Summer semesters, but I will be teaching again in Fall 2025.

How do I set up a Canvas FFT account so I can work on my course during the down time (and while things are fresh in my mind)? I keep hitting a road block with setting up a FFT account. Am I supposed to use my current university Canvas credentials? That takes me to my university's Canvas and I don't see how to set up a FFT account from there. Do I create a new profile with a personal email account and not connect with my current university? I tried to do that, but the account I tried to set up was denied. How do I get started?

[Chris_Hofer]

Hello @CapeFearLibn ...

Are you creating a FFT (Free For Teacher) account using this website?  Try Canvas

You wouldn't necessarily have to use your school e-mail address to create a FFT account.  Also, keep in mind that there are a few limitations to FFT accounts compared to your school's paid Canvas environment ... one of which is the amount of storage space you have available in a FFT course (which cannot be changed).  Here's a good reference for you:

Canvas Free-for-Teacher FAQ ... check out the linked Comparison PDF on this page for all the details

Here's one other Guide that might be helpful for you, too: How do I sign up for a new Free-for-Teacher Canvas... - Instructure Community - 894

Keep us posted here in the Community...thank you.

[CapeFearLibn]

OK...I now have an FFT, but my .imscc export/import (and the zip ) file is too large. I don't seem to be able to export just selected sections of the course—modules and assignments and homepage...to make the imported file size smaller.

Any ideas?

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @CapeFearLibn ...

Well, there are two possible options for you.  Keep in mind that a FFT course is limited to 500 MB of course storage space (based on the link that I gave you earlier).

• In your school's paid Canvas account, you could request (from your school's Canvas admin) a blank course shell.  Then, you could use that course shell to select specific content to import from your existing course into the empty shell.  How do I select specific content as part of a course import?  Then, when you have imported just those items you want, you would then export that course.   How do I export a Canvas course?  Finally, you would import the *.imscc file that you exported into the FFT course.  How do I import a Canvas course export package? 
• With your existing *.imscc file that is too big, you could change the file extension on this to a *.zip file.  Then, you could unzip the file.  Look through the files and folders (there will be several folders that have a random string of alpha-numeric characters, by the way) and see if you can somehow remove files in there that you don't need.  Then, zip up the files/folders in the same form that you downloaded the file, and change the *.zip file back to a *.imscc file extension.  I've never actually tried this myself, but in theory, it should work?

Would either of these options work for your needs?