Duplicate courses using shared content

[Adamleighton]

Hi,

I have 10 -15 (almost identical) courses running in parrallel. Presently I copy existing courses to create the new courses. However, when I need to add or change content (such as a presentation/link etc.) I have to manually edit each course.

I thought of using commons (not sure of this would work) but in the free version of Canvas, I did not find a way to share only to myself (it becomes open to the world).

The blueprint option is also blockied in the free version.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to build course that in practice use the same content?

Thanks!

[JeffCampbell]

Are you using that many copies because you have multiple sections/classes of that course to teach?

If you are teaching multiple classes of that course and everyone is approximately at the same point in the course, you might consider the section feature. You can create Sections within a single course, then sort students into those sections. When assigning content, you could assign to a specific section(s) too. This would allow you to have one course to edit, but use it with multiple classes.

If your classes are at drastically different points, this could be a bit more cumbersome as releasing content/assignments/assessments for one section releases for all, but still would minimize the amount of management when updates are needed.

[Adamleighton]

Thanks Jeff,
Thats a great Idea.
Will I be able to manage teachers permissions so that they dont have access to other sections?
I doesn't allow teachers to tailor their version of the course, but that's still a viable option.

Another question, do you know maybe why in the standalone version, changes with the content in a blueprint course module, create a new duplicated module within the assoiciated course (with the changes) in addition  to original module?

Thanks so much for your help!

[JeffCampbell]

If you go to People, then click on the option to +People, you can designate roles to another teacher and set which section to add them too. Say you have a 2nd hour class. You can designate another teacher as Co-teacher, then use the checkbox below that option to only allow them to interact with users in their section. I am not sure if that will limit their ability to see other sections, but they will not be able to interact with (including grading) those other sections. Here is some info on Canvas Roles. A Co-Teacher will have the ability to edit content. If you ware wanting to prevent that, you may need to talk with an account admin for your district to create a role that gives/limits the permissions you desire.

If you have other teachers as Co-Teachers, this would be the way to go. Your comment mentioned allowing teachers to tailor their version. If you have courses where someone else is teaching (not you), then that would be a separate course, not a section in the course. I'm a bit unclear of what you are wanting to do with that aspect.

I cannot say why it is creating a duplicate module when you change the blueprint. I have less experience with creating a blueprint.