Template versus Blueprint

[DrTerriC]

Hi Higher Education folks.. 

We were having a debate about using templates versus blueprints for course loading for a semester. The previous LMS admin had used blueprints but I think it should really be templates (we really don't update etc.. and blueprinting should be available for courses with many adjuncts).. 

But I am having a hard time finding a definitive guide that compares the two templates and blueprints when using with SIS import from banner.. Does anyone know of one?  The only thing I find here is old. https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/The-Product-Blog/Templates-vs-Blueprint-Courses/ba-p/461274

Would love some insight and advice. 

Terri 

[PatriciaRoy · Accepted solution]

Hi, Terri --

We use a blueprint for all courses and have recently created a template for one of our programs. The blueprint is nice because it adds features that are consistent across the college, while the template (for the graduate business school) allows us to create consistency within that school. I found these recent docs that might help: Blueprint Sync Functionalities and How do I enable a course as a course template?

-- Tricia

[PatriciaRoy · Accepted solution]

Also check out Course Content Distribution Comparison.

[PatriciaRoy · Accepted solution]

Hi, Terri --

We use a blueprint for all courses and have recently created a template for one of our programs. The blueprint is nice because it adds features that are consistent across the college, while the template (for the graduate business school) allows us to create consistency within that school. I found these recent docs that might help: Blueprint Sync Functionalities and How do I enable a course as a course template?

-- Tricia

[PatriciaRoy · Accepted solution]

Also check out Course Content Distribution Comparison.

[Greyhound]

Thank you @PatriciaRoy This will help determine what is best for our institution.  😊

[jaiyoung · Accepted solution]

We use both templates and Blueprints at FIUonline. I am a bit late to the party, but here is a quick summary of the Pros and Cons, 

Canvas Blueprints vs. Templates: Pros and Cons Summary

Purpose: To highlight the strengths and limitations of Canvas Blueprints and Templates, and how they can work together to support scalable, high-quality course design.

1. Canvas Blueprints

Blueprints allow content to be centrally managed and synced across multiple associated courses.

Pros:

• Centralized updates across courses
• Option to lock content (prevent edits)
• Ensures consistency in core content
• Ideal for multi-section or program-wide design

Cons:

• Manual syncing required
• Risk of overwriting local changes
• Limited customization for instructors
• More complex setup and permissions needed

2. Canvas Templates

Templates are course shells used as a starting point for new course development.

Pros:

• Encourages consistent structure
• Flexible for instructor customization
• Easy to apply, no syncing risk
• Great for onboarding and redesigns

Cons:

• One-time use (no live updates)
• Can drift from standards over time
• Relies on instructors to maintain best practices

3. Combined Use: Blueprint + Template

Using both provides the best balance of consistency and flexibility.

Benefits:

• Blueprint = controlled, non-editable core content
• Template = customizable framework for design standards
• Promotes consistency, efficiency, and ADA/QM compliance
• Ideal for high-enrollment or flagship programs

Team Recommendation

• Use Blueprints for required, multi-section content.
• Use Templates for development guides and design support.
• Combine for programs needing both control and creativity.

[CynthiaEdwards1]

@jaiyoung Thank you so much for this! I have been exploring templates and blueprint courses for some time. However, your explanation provides excellent information for moving forward! Thanks again!

[Debra-Sheridan]

I would add that most of our blueprints use the college-wide template and our MDC Online courses are synced with the BP Master Course.

[DrTerriC]

Thank you.. this is exactly what @Greyhound and I were looking for to continue our discussion.. Appreciate it.. Thank you.

[kbink]

We have found that templates are only useful for courses starting from scratch.  Our instructors typically copy forward their classes with all their content arranged and displayed as it was in previous years.  Setting up sites with template items would only clutter things as instructors would likely only ignore it.

We have used blueprint for course content but not for collegiate Items.  I'd like to hear more about what things are in your blueprint, @PatriciaRoy .

[PatriciaRoy]

There are some course settings in there, but as I did not build it myself, I can’t be positive which are in the blueprint and which are our instance defaults without looking into it. However, the ones that users are most likely to notice are the homepage and modules design with official banners, logos, and colors.
We are trying to coach our faculty to demystify the connection between learning objectives, content and activities, and outcomes, so our blueprint features pages for LOs and a to-do list, content, and review. Many think this is “too much work” but as we all know students ignore what isn’t made relevant. 

[PatriciaRoy]

I should also say that all courses that use the blueprint stay associated with it, so you can use “blueprint courses” as a limiter in searches. I think of the blueprint as a learning tool for faculty new to the LMS or online teaching, generally.  

[DSheridan]

Hi Terri,

We use both template and blueprint. We have a template assigned to sub-accounts that is used to create the blank shell through SIS integration. For blueprint, some departments have begun developing blueprint courses for us to sync to the live sections for their adjunct faculty. This is a small, targeted population that we run manually. MDC Online has some blueprint courses and this is run through an API process. 

The template gives all courses a basic menu and structure. The blueprint is content. MDC Online has leveraged pushing out content updates to live sections and the blueprint made this possible. 
I'm happy to talk more if you have any questions.

~Debra

[CynthiaEdwards1]

@DSheridan Thank you for the great response. I have been looking into utilizing templates and/or blueprints at our institution and struggled with how to best utilize them. I appreciated your way of looking at templates as structure and blueprints as content. 

[PatriciaRoy]

Debra,

I'm interested in how you use a blueprint course to sync changes. We are dealing with a program that makes many late-date changes to their courses and it falls to us to make them in each course individually. If we could create a blueprint for these courses the sub-acct admins or root admins could do several sections all at once, which would be 👩‍🍳😚.

Tricia

[Debra-Sheridan]

Hi Patricia, the admins do not maintain the blueprint courses, but we do run the course sync. For our MDC Online group, we may run an update through Postman, depending on what the update is, e.g., a new menu item or module. For the MDC Online blueprint classes, the ID team has been able to push updates to their BP classes. 

Just note that your blueprint has to be at the same hierarchy or higher than the classes receiving the sync.  

[DrTerriC]

I would second patricia's response.. if you let a program use a blueprint, then you should have someone you can designate to give the rights to manage.. otherwise it gets crazy for you as a Canvas admin.