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In this video you will learn about Blueprint Courses.
Last updated: 2023-06-02
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Video overviews reflect current feature functionality in Canvas; they are updated based on workflow changes, not on minor or non-functional interface enhancements. Depending on your institution's Canvas theme, the Canvas interface may display differently than shown in this video, but the functionality is the same.
Blueprint Courses Overview Video Script
In this video you will learn about Blueprint Courses. A blueprint course is a course that houses content you want to share to any number of associated courses. Blueprint courses are typically maintained by admins or course designers. Content added to a blueprint course is synced to all associated courses, and content can be locked or unlocked for editing in the associated courses. Before you enable Blueprint Course settings and sync content to associated courses, you should add all course content to the blueprint course. Note that associated courses must be in the same sub-account as the blueprint course.
To create a new blueprint course, create a new course, and, from the course Settings, enable the course as a Blueprint Course. Once you’ve created your course, added content, and enabled the Blueprint Course setting, you can configure content editing options for locked content in associated courses. By default, associated course instructors can edit any course content added from the blueprint course. You can lock editing options for instructors using the lock content options.
The General Locked Objects option allows you to disable editing for content, points possible, due dates, and availability dates for any locked course content item. For example, if you enable the General Content lock, an associated course instructor will not be able to edit content for any locked course content item. To enable a general object lock, select the General Locked Objects option. Then click the checkbox for the object types you wish to lock.
The Locked Objects by Type option allows you to disable specific editing options for assignments, discussions, pages, files, and quizzes. For each course content item, you can enable editing locks for content, points possible, due dates, and availability dates. For example, if you choose to lock Points for Assignments, instructors will not be able to modify points for any locked assignments. To enable a content lock by object type, locate and click the content type where you want to lock editing options. Then, click to enable a content object by type lock. Locked attributes cannot be modified by instructors in associated courses.
After enabling your course content editing locks, you can lock specific course items. When you lock a course content item, the item cannot be deleted in an associated course. Additionally, associated course instructors will not be able to edit course content items with object locks. To lock course content items, navigate to a content area in the course. To lock a content item, click the unlocked icon. To unlock a content item, click the locked icon. When you lock an item, only attributes selected in Blueprint Course settings will be locked in associated courses.
After you lock course content items, you can associate courses with the Blueprint course. All content in the Blueprint course will sync to associated courses. Associated course instructors can edit or remove any synced content except for locked content. They cannot remove locked content or edit locked attributes. To associate a course, click the Blueprint Courses icon then click the Associations link. Search for a course by course title, name, or SIS ID. You can also filter displayed courses by term or sub-account. Search results appear in the Courses list. Click the checkbox next to the course or courses you want to associate. You can view a list of courses already associated with the Blueprint Course in the Associated section. When you’ve selected all courses you want to associate, click the Done button.
To sync course content from the blueprint course to associated courses, click the Blueprint Courses icon. If you want to sync course settings, select the Include Course Settings checkbox. If you want to send a blueprint course sync notification to associated course instructors, click the Send Notification checkbox. To preview pending sync changes, click the Unsynced Changes link. To sync changes to associated courses, click the Sync button. When you sync changes, you will overwrite any content previously synced to the course. Syncing does not affect any content instructors have added to the course. For more information about syncing exceptions, please refer to the Blueprint Courses documentation in the Canvas Community.
Associated course Instructors can view synced and locked content. They cannot modify locked objects in locked content. When instructors edit locked course content, Canvas displays a locked attributes message. When searching for courses at the account or sub-account level, admins can choose to only view Blueprint Courses by clicking the Show only blueprint courses checkbox. The courses list will display blueprint courses but will not show associated courses.
You've now completed this overview video on Blueprint Courses. For additional information on this or any other topic about Canvas, please visit guides.canvaslms.com. You can also ask questions and engage with other Canvas users by visiting community.canvaslms.com.
If your content index pages include Blueprint icons, your course is associated with a blueprint course. Blueprint Courses are courses managed as a template, and changes to locked objects can be synced from the blueprint course to your course at any time. However, you can manage any unlocked course content in your course.
You can view the latest information about a blueprint sync in Course Settings. The blueprint information contains details about the content or other attributes changed in your course.
Note: To be notified of synced updates from a blueprint course, enable the Blueprint sync notification in User Settings.
Open Course
In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the name of the course [2].
Open Settings
In Course Navigation, click the Settings link.
Open Blueprint Information
In the sidebar, click the Blueprint Information link.
View Sync Information
The Blueprint Information page shows information from the last blueprint sync. The page displays the name and course ID of the blueprint course [1] and the name and course ID of your associated course [2].
You can also view the date and time of the sync [3] and the number of changes [4].
If a message was included as part of the notification, the message is displayed above the list of synced changes.
For a course association made by an admin, sync information will also show the date and time the sync was made, but no details will be included related to the sync.
View Sync Details
The Blueprint Information page shows the specific content that has been synced. Each content object shows the synced status of the object (locked or unlocked) and the name of the object [1], the object type [2], the change applied [3], and whether or not the sync was applied [4].
Content changes can be created, updated, or deleted. Updated changes indicate any change to existing content.
Close Blueprint Information
When you are finished with the Blueprint Information page, click the Done button.
Hello wonderful community.
I have just stumbled upon something very weird....
Teachers in a course could not edit unless I disassociated it from the Blueprint.
- Blueprint and associated course located in the same sub-account.
- Teachers have with Teacher or Course Admin (coordinators) roles
Is there something I'm missing here?
This wasn't the case until (that I can tell), this year.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Brad,
We are looking to develop new courses every term that will then run every term moving forward. Each course will be built and maintained by a course developer in Canvas and each course will have the same content every term, unless we need to make an update to the course.
For example, if we created a 4-week Music Theory course to start in January 2023, we would want that same course to run again in February '23, March '23, April '23, etc. The only things that would change are the assignment due dates and student roster (and possibly instructor down the road).
Are Blueprint courses the best way to set this up, or are there alternative ways other institutions have had success with?
Thanks in advance!
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Canvas
As an admin, you can enable any course in your institution as a blueprint course in Course Settings. A blueprint course allows you to create content and learning objects, lock specific settings or content items, and push updates to all associated courses through course syncing.
Any course can be set as a blueprint course as long as it is not associated with another blueprint course or contain student enrollments. Associated courses must reside in the same or a lower subaccount than where the blueprint course resides.
The Course Settings page sets the specific definition for how locked objects should be treated for the entire course. Once a definition is set, objects can be locked individually within their appropriate Canvas Index pages.
Locked objects can be defined generally or specifically by type. By default, each object type contains no locked attributes. Attributes that can be locked include content, points, due dates, and availability dates and apply within assignments, discussions, pages, files, and quizzes.
General Locked Objects
By default, the course is defined for General Locked Objects, meaning that any objects locked in the blueprint course are subject to general attributes that cannot be edited in associated courses. For instance, when Content is selected as a locked object attribute, instructors in associated courses are not able to edit any content for any locked objects. The option to lock content is selected by default, though it can be deselected as a lock option.
Locked Objects by Type
Blueprint courses can also be defined for Locked Objects by Type, meaning that any objects locked in the course are subject to specific settings set by type that cannot be edited in associated courses. Blueprint courses support and sync five object types: assignments, discussions, pages, files, and quizzes.
Object Definition Changes
You may change object definitions and attributes for locked objects in Course Settings at any time. However, unlocking any previously locked attribute retroactively applies to all related locked objects in the associated course. If a previously locked attribute is enabled, or unlocked, in the blueprint course, any locked content attributes in the associated course that vary from locked content attributes in the blueprint course will trigger an unsynced change and override the content in the associated course. Please ensure definitions and attributes are specified before making associated courses available to instructors.
Notes:
- Blueprint courses cannot include any student or observer enrollments.
- Blueprint courses do not have to be published.
- Blueprint courses do not include the Reset Course Content button, as content cannot be reset.
- Blueprint courses are not supported for courses across trust accounts. A course in one account cannot be a blueprint course for another account.
- Blueprint courses do not sync certain course settings to associated courses, including term, and course format.
- Blueprint courses include similar functionality with Canvas Commons. To learn more about Canvas Commons, see the Course Content Distribution Comparison resource document.
Open Account
In Global Navigation, click the Admin link [1], then click the name of the account [2].
Open Courses
In Account Navigation, click the Courses link.
Note: When you open an account, the account defaults to the Courses page.
Find Course
To find the course in the account, use the filter and search options.
Open Course Details
Click the Course Details tab.
Enable Course
Click the Enable course as a Blueprint Course checkbox.
View Restrictions
If the course cannot be enabled as a blueprint course, the checkbox is grayed out [1]. A course cannot be enabled as a blueprint course if the course contains student enrollments.
If the course is already associated with a blueprint course, you can view the course name and course ID as a reference (e.g. courses/XXX) [2]. The name of the blueprint course includes a link to access the blueprint course.
Define General Locked Objects
By default, the course is defined for General Locked Objects, meaning that any objects locked in the blueprint course are subject to general attributes that cannot be edited in associated courses.
Select Attributes
As part of the general settings, select the attributes for the locked objects in this course. General locked objects support four attributes across any course object: content, points, availability dates, and due dates.
The option to lock content is selected by default, though it can be deselected as a lock option.
Locked objects cannot be edited in associated courses. For instance, when Content is selected as a locked object attribute, instructors in associated courses are not able to edit any content for any locked objects. Content also includes the title of the content item.
Define Locked Objects by Type
To define locked objects by type, select the Locked Objects by Type option. This setting means that any objects locked in the course are subject to specific settings set by type that cannot be edited in associated courses.
Select Attributes
Blueprint courses support and sync five object types: assignments, discussions, pages, files, and quizzes. To select an attribute for an object type, expand the attribute type menu [1] and select individual attributes that apply to each locked object [2]. When an attribute is selected, the attribute name displays next to the object type.
Notes:
- Attributes do not need to be the same for each object type. Additionally, depending on the object type, not all attributes may be available.
- Rubrics can be updated and synced as part of blueprint courses. However, if points have been locked for an assignment, updating the rubric’s point value does not affect the assignment point value.
Update Course Details
Click the Update Course Details button.
Hi Canvas Data Community,
I looked at course_dim and did not found any reference to if that course is a blueprint or not, and about the associations that blueprint has. Is this kind of data in Canvas Data?
Regards,
As.
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Hello @AlexSchneider , Canvas Data does not have fields or tables dedicated to blueprint...
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Hi Sam. Have you heard of a way to compare an associated and synchronized course to the blueprint t...
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...ry to use the request as you mentioned, i just need, for now, to count all the blueprint courses, s...
Howdy, amazing Instructure Community!
What issues may arise if a Blueprint course and all associated courses live in a subaccount and the owner of the BP course requests to change this and all associated courses to a different subaccount?
Thanks!
If you are enrolled in a blueprint course as an instructor, you can sync blueprint content changes to associated courses.
Content Sync
After a change is made to an object or attribute, the blueprint course sidebar displays a sync option indicating that unsynced changes have been made in the course. Content can be synced at any time.
All course content will be included in a blueprint sync, regardless of whether content is locked. Changed content will always overwrite the existing content in the associated courses for all locked objects. Content that can be managed by an instructor or new content created in an associated course by the instructor is not affected.
Notifications within associated courses can only be sent if the notification trigger has not yet occurred. Features such as announcements in a blueprint course may need to be created as a delayed post so the announcement displays in the associated course after syncing course content.
Content State
The sync will include the state of each object as it exists in the blueprint course. For instance, if an assignment is unpublished in the blueprint course, it will also be unpublished in the associated course. However, once the state is changed in the associated course, the state within the blueprint course will no longer apply.
Modules Exceptions
If a blueprint course includes Modules, changes to the modules structure are triggered as part of a course sync. Modules cannot be locked, but course state applies to all individual module items.
The following sync exceptions apply for Modules content:
- Associated courses match the modules structure initially created in the blueprint course. Any additional modules and their content added to the blueprint course and synced to associated courses will always be added to the bottom of the Modules page in the associated courses.
- If modules or module items are rearranged in an associated course, the module order will be updated to match the blueprint course structure in the next sync. If a module item in an associated course is moved to another module, the module item will exist in both modules.
- Modules created from a blueprint course and deleted from an associated course will not be restored in additional course syncs.
- Manually created module items in an associated course will remain in the module but will display above all blueprint synced module items. Imported module items in associated courses will be removed during blueprint sync.
Notes:
- Changes within Course Settings do not trigger unsynced changes. The course only recognizes unsynced changes when a change is made to course content.
- Associated courses display the latest blueprint sync information in Course Settings.
- Blueprint courses do not sync certain course settings to associated courses, including timezone, term, and course format.
Open Course
In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the name of the course [2].
Open Blueprint Sidebar
In the Course Home Page, click the Blueprint sidebar tab.
Note: You can also access the Blueprint sidebar from any Course Navigation page.
View Sidebar
The Blueprint sidebar provides quick access to blueprint sync information.
If any changes have been made in the course, the sidebar displays the number of unsynced changes in the course [1]. All course content is copied in the sync regardless of whether or not objects are locked. The only exception is Course Settings, which must be selected on a per-sync basis as part of the sync options [2]. You can also create a notification about the sync from the sidebar [3].
If you know what content is being synced and you are ready to sync your content, you can sync updates directly from the sidebar [4].
View Unsynced Changes
If you are not sure what content is being synced, or if you just want to confirm existing changes in the course, you can view specific details about the unsynced changes by clicking the Unsynced Changes link.
The Unsynced Changes page shows the specific content that has been updated. Each content object shows the current status of the object (locked or unlocked) [1], the name of the content item [2], the content change [3], and the content object type [4].
Content changes can be created, updated, or deleted. Updated changes indicate any change to existing content.
Select Sync Options
Course Settings include all settings options in the course, including Course Navigation. To sync Course Settings to associated courses, select the Include Course Settings checkbox [1].
If you want to send a notification about the blueprint sync, click the Send Notification checkbox [2]. Admins and other instructors can set the Blueprint sync notification and receive updates when a sync is complete.
To add a message as part of the notification, click the Add a Message checkbox [3]. The message can be added as a reference to note what changes were made in the sync and displays in the Sync History page.
Sync Changes
Click the Sync button.
View Sync
Once a sync has started, the sidebar shows the sync status as long as you are viewing the page. You can leave the page, but know that the sync may take a while to process.
Notes:
- If you immediately view an associated course and don’t see any updates, the sync may still be in process. To confirm sync completion, enable the Blueprint sync notification in User Settings.
- Only BluePrint master course content will sync with associated courses. Content that was manually added or copied using a different format will not sync.
Last year I created a set of several outcomes (a lot more than several).
Every one of these outcomes was linked to one question in a quiz for students to answer.
This worked exactly as expected and every outcome was presenting class data based on student responses.
This year I have prepared several (dozen) quizzes along with the 300 outcomes of the syllabus, each quiz has an individual link at the question level like I did last year, this was done at the blueprint level as it was being passed out to several classes. None of these quizzes are passing student results to the learning mastery markbook.
When I go and create a new quiz in my particular course and align individual questions to outcomes they work fine. I have been using the test student account to access each quiz, give varying right/wrong answers for auto marking as well as essay questions, and all passes through to the markbook as I expect. When I attach an outcome as a rubric to a quiz made in the course the score passes through to the outcome scale appropriately.
Is there something about outcomes linked to quizzes that does not work correctly when using blueprints?
When a course is first associated with a blueprint course, the associated courses are immediately synced. After the initial sync, changes must be synced to associated courses manually.
As an admin, you can sync blueprint content changes to associated courses. Additionally, any instructor who is enrolled in the blueprint course can also make changes and sync content to associated courses.
Content Sync
After a change is made to an object or attribute as defined in Course Settings, the blueprint course sidebar display a sync option indicating that unsynced changes have been made in the course. Content can be synced at any time.
All course content will be included in a blueprint sync, regardless of whether content is locked. Changed content will always overwrite the existing content in the associated courses for all locked objects. Content that can be managed by an instructor or new content created in an associated course by the instructor is not affected.
Notifications within associated courses can only be sent if the notification trigger has not yet occurred. Features such as announcements in a blueprint course may need to be created as a delayed post so the announcement displays in the associated course after syncing course content.
Content State
The sync will include the state of each object as it exists in the blueprint course. For instance, if an assignment is unpublished in the blueprint course, it will also be unpublished in the associated course. However, once the state is changed in the associated course, the state within the blueprint course will no longer apply.
Modules Exceptions
If a blueprint course includes Modules, changes to the modules structure are triggered as part of a course sync. Module items cannot be locked, but course state applies to all individual module items.
The following sync exceptions apply for Modules content:
- Associated courses match the modules structure initially created in the blueprint course. Any additional modules and their content added to the blueprint course and synced to associated courses will always be added to the bottom of the Modules page in the associated courses.
- If modules or module items are rearranged in an associated course, the module order will be updated to match the blueprint course structure in the next sync. If a module item in an associated course is moved to another module, the module item will exist in both modules.
- Modules created from a blueprint course and deleted from an associated course will not be restored in additional course syncs.
- Manually created module items in an associated course will remain in the module but will display above all blueprint synced module items. Imported module items in associated courses will be removed during blueprint sync.
- If a module lock date is added or updated in an associated course, the module setting will be updated to match the module setting in the blueprint course in the next sync.
- If a module prerequisite is added or updated in an associated course, the module setting will be updated to match the module setting in the blueprint course in the next sync.
Notes:
- Changes within Course Settings do not trigger unsynced changes. The course only recognizes unsynced changes when a change is made to course content.
- Instructors in associated courses can view the latest blueprint sync information in Course Settings.
- If an assignment in a blueprint course is muted, the muted status is not synced to the same assignment in associated courses.
- Blueprint courses do not sync certain course settings to associated courses, including term, and course format.
Open Account
In Global Navigation, click the Admin link [1], then click the name of the account [2].
Open Courses
In Account Navigation, click the Courses link.
Note: When you open an account, the account defaults to the Courses page.
Find Course
To find the course in the account, use the filter and search options.
To include only blueprint courses in your search results, click the Show only blueprint courses option.
Open Blueprint Sidebar
In the Course Home Page, click the Blueprint sidebar tab.
Note: You can also access the Blueprint sidebar from any Course Navigation page.
View Sidebar
The Blueprint sidebar provides quick access to blueprint sync information.
If any changes have been made in the course, the sidebar displays the number of unsynced changes in the course [1]. All course content is copied in the sync regardless of whether or not objects are locked. The only exception is Course Settings, which must be selected on a per-sync basis as part of the sync options [2]. You can also create a notification about the sync from the sidebar [3].
If you know what content is being synced and you are ready to sync your content, you can sync updates directly from the sidebar [4].
View Unsynced Changes
If you are not sure what content is being synced, or if you just want to confirm existing changes in the course, you can view specific details about the unsynced changes by clicking the Unsynced Changes link.
The Unsynced Changes page shows the specific content that has been updated. Each content object shows the current status of the object (locked or unlocked) [1], the name of the content item [2], the content change [3], and the content object type [4].
Content changes can be created, updated, or deleted. Updated changes indicate any change to existing content.
Select Sync Options
Course Settings include all settings options in the course, including Course Navigation. To sync Course Settings to associated courses, select the Include Course Settings checkbox [1].
If you want to send a notification about the blueprint sync, click the Send Notification checkbox [2]. Other admins and instructors can set the Blueprint sync notification and receive updates when a sync is complete.
To add a message as part of the notification, click the Add a Message checkbox [3]. The message can be added as a reference to note what changes were made in the sync and displays in the Sync History page.
Sync Changes
Click the Sync button.
View Sync
Once a sync has started, the sidebar shows the sync status as long as you are viewing the page. You can leave the page, but know that the the sync may take a while to process.
Notes:
- If you immediately view an associated course and don’t see any updates, the sync may still be in process. To confirm sync completion, enable the Blueprint sync notification in User Settings.
- Only BluePrint master course content will sync with associated courses. Content that was manually added or copied using a different format will not sync.