Commons Pros and Cons

[olguin]

Hello,

You can use Commons for yourself and for groups. I am trying to share with our faculty the pros and cons of using Commons vs. other methods of sharing content. 

Why would they use Commons for themselves and not simply Copy to from one course to another? What's the advantage or appropriate use of Commons vs. Copy To? Why wouldn't they just keep content in a sandbox and Copy to the new course instead of sharing it to Commons to themselves? 

Same question about Groups. Say I create a Group for a department and all the faculty are members. Why should they use that Group in Commons instead of a sandbox course in which they are all teachers? In the course, they could just Copy To the new course.

Thanks for any insights!
Debbie

[laura-harste]

The biggest benefit I see of using Commons is the "Update" feature.  I personally teach a wide variety of courses and do copy some content from course to course.  However, some content applies to all courses.  I, therefore, like to use Commons for those Modules: Support & Services, Course Overview, Academic Integrity, and of course Canvas & Technology.  This way, at the start of the term, if these documents change, I can change them once rather than in all sections.

If content is going to be developed once and not change, or your faculty wants to personalize it once copied over, then a direct copy makes more sense.

There is also the Sharing is Caring portion of the discussion.  Other faculty might benefit from what you have put on Commons!

Hope my insight is helpful!

Laura

[olguin]

Thank you, Laura! This was helpful!