Using both templates and blueprints

[MorgenWM]

Apologies if this question has been posted or answered in the guides and I didn't find it; the keywords are a bit tricky as you might imagine.

I'm new to Canvas and trying to work out policies and resources for our K-12 district ahead of our August 2026 launch (so we have some time). We want to use a standardized, simple template across the district, with variations for grade level and possibly subject area, just to ensure consistent navigation, resources, and naming conventions. I would also like for teachers to be able to create blueprint courses if they like (and have the appropriate permissions), such as Specials teachers who want to consolidate grade levels or teams who want to streamline their workflow. 

To make course setup easier we had intended to apply the template at the sub-account level so teachers don't have to do anything but start adding content. Does that preclude syncing courses to a blueprint? Would we need instead to have teachers import the template from the Commons into each course themselves?

Feel free to redirect me to where this question has already been answered! Appreciate any input.

[mzimmerman]

Hi @MorgenWM

A template is basically just a course whose contents/settings are automatically imported whenever a new course is created within the sub-account.  We use them to standardize the course navigation (disable items that aren't commonly used), and include some documentation.  Keep in mind that a template is applied at the sub-account level, so you can't have a specialized template by "grade level and possibly subject area" unless each grade and subject is in its own sub-account. 

A template does not preclude also using blueprints, which we also use for a few courses where there a course administrator developing content that will be shared with all sections of that course.

[Tina-Swanton]

Hi Morgan. You can set templates at the subaccount level and I have seen districts add templates to Commons. Rather than using blueprints have you considered allowing teachers to cross-list their courses? In my experience this is a common practice in K12. I hope this is helpful. Best of luck!

[oneilllj]

Hi @MorgenWM 

Have you had a Canvas support person work with you to review your set up? They may be able to provide some guidance on what might work best for your situation.

For us, we use Blueprints and each blueprint has a set of particular template pages so every course looks and feels the same when students and teachers use them. These template pages are the same for Year levels 5-12 (Front Page, Teacher Contact Details, Course Overview and Contents). All the template pages are updated in the Blueprint, then the remaining course content is included, following a backwards design process to determine the course curriculum, etc. Prior to the academic year commencing the class courses, which are created through our syncing process with our college timetable, are associated and synced.

We have subaccounts for each curriculum area where the blueprints and courses are, with a designated Blueprint manager who is responsible for keeping the blueprint updated and synced (this removes the chances of content being overwritten by multiple users). 

As the Canvas admin, I manage the subaccounts, courses within these and access to the blueprints. 

If you would like me to share any images of our templates, or add them to commons, let me know.

Kind regards

Jen