Canvas allows you to duplicate material from one course to another. This makes it easy to create Canvas sites for multiple sections of the same course taught in the same semester and to set up Canvas sites for courses that you teach in successive semesters.
If you realize that you need to import course content after a course is already published, you can still follow these steps to import content at any time.
More information on copying material within a course can be found on the Extra Tips page > Duplicating Materials tab.
To export a Canvas course, see the directions on Canvas's online documentation: How do I export a Canvas course?
Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I copy a Canvas course into a new course shell? • Course Content Import Video Tutorial
Begin by opening the course you will be creating in Canvas. I only have one built-out course in Canvas, so the beginning of this tutorial will look slightly different for you. If you have not added anything to the new course yet, it will be blank. Select "Settings" from the bottom of the course menu in the left side bar menu.
From Settings, look for the option "Import Course Content" in the left side bar menu.
On the Import Content page, click the "Content Type" menu to look at the options for importing course content. If you want to duplicate a Canvas Course, select "Copy a Canvas Course."
You can search for a course in Canvas by name, or if you have multiple courses, you will have a drop down menu available for course selection. If you want to copy a course that has concluded, be sure to check the box "Include completed courses" right below the "Search for a course" box.
Once you have selected your course, you will be given options to import all content or specific content, and to adjust or remove dates.
After you have made your selections, click the "Import button." If you chose to import specific content, you will be prompted to click a blue button that says "Select Content." Select the content to import from the pop-up menu. Canvas will show you the progress of your import on this page, and you will see a green "Completed" flag once the process has finished. To see this process, watch Canvas's short video tutorial.
Tech support: For technical assistance, start a ticket with WITS
Brainstorming: For ideas on how to use tools in your course, contact the DLS