How do I share a resource to Commons?

You can share assignments, modules, quizzes, pages, and discussions in Canvas to Commons.

To share all content in a course to Commons, learn how to share a course to Commons.

To modify an existing shared resource, learn how to update a resource previously shared to Commons.

Notes:

  • The steps in this lesson are similar for sharing assignments, modules, quizzes, pages, or discussions. The differences include opening the feature from Course Navigation and using the Settings icon on Index and Details pages. The images in this lesson illustrate how to share an assignment to Commons.
  • To enable Commons in your Canvas instance, please contact your Customer Success Manager.
  • Commons is available in all Free for Teacher (FFT) accounts. Free for Teacher users are limited to finding, importing, and sharing public resources.
  • The file size limit for uploaded content is 500 MB.
  • Content shared through Commons retains the published/unpublished status of the item when it was originally shared. If you share a published resource, when others import that resource, it will be published in their course.
  • Studio content cannot be shared to or imported from Commons.

Open Course

Open Course

In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the name of the course you want to share the resource from [2].

Open Feature Area

Open Feature Area

In Course Navigation, click the feature area link where your resource is located.

Share Resource

Share Resource

Locate the resource you'd like to share within the feature area page, click the Options icon [1], then click the Share to Commons link [2].

Notes:

  • If there is a rubric attached to a resource, it will be shared to Commons as part of the resource. The attached rubric will also be imported as part of the resource.
  • Content shared through Commons retains the published/unpublished status of the item when it was originally shared. If you share a published resource, when others import that resource, it will be published in their course.

Share via Resource Details Page

Share via Resource Details Page

You can also open the individual resource to share to Commons. Click the Options icon [1] then click the Share to Commons link [2].

Choose Sharing Option

Choose Sharing Option

Select a sharing option.

Note: Depending on the account settings set by your Canvas admin, you may be unable to view and/or share public content. Authors of publicly shared resources will always be able to view their resource.

Choose Content License

Choose Content License

Select your content license from the Copyright and Licenses drop-down menu [1]. To add any additional licensing, copyright, or usage information, click the Add Additional Information link [2].

Add Metadata

Add Metadata

Enter resource metadata and add an optional thumbnail image.

Add Grade/Level

Add Grade/Level

Select the appropriate grade level(s) using the sliders or the dropdown menus.

Share to Commons

Share to Commons

When you're done, click the Share button.

View Shared Resource

View your shared resource. It may take up to 30 minutes to process a resource. Resource previews are not available while the resource is processing.