Canvas Commons

IDD KB How-to-Guide

Canvas Commons

Commons is a learning object repository that enables educators to find and import resources shared by individuals at Salisbury University and other institutions. If you would like to learn how to access this learning object repository, view the video tutorials or step-by-step guide below. This article provides steps on two aspects of Commons:

Various Salisbury University offices have provided learning objectives for faculty to import into their course which include, but are not limited to:

PACE's SU Votes - 2024 Election Resources module
Notice for Students with Dependents information from the SU Women's Forum (SUWF)
Textbook and Course Materials with Inclusive Access page with information for eBooks, publisher courseware (general) and student Opt Out instructions
Student Using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor instructions
Student instructions for Submitting a Panopto Recording as an assignment
Student Access to Zoom Tutorial and best practices
Formative Course Assessment (Student-Learning Focused Questions) for use mid-semester to receive feedback from students during your course.
SU Libraries:
- Module on Sources: Searching, Evaluating & Integrating
- Module on SU Libraries Research Skills Tutorial

Canvas Commons - Importing and Sharing Learning Objects

Please Note!

You can click on the images below to see them larger and with more detail.

Importing Content from the Canvas Commons

Log in to your MyClasses account.
On the left global navigation bar, find and click on the Commons icon (it looks like a C with a right-pointing arrow).
If it is your first time using commons, you may receive a message asking for permission to enter. Click accept.
Once you are at the Commons Home Page, featured items are found at the top of the page. If you are interested in one of these items, jump to Step 10.
Use the search bar to find learning objects such as courses, modules, assignments, quizzes, discussions, pages, and other items. Type your desired topic into the search bar. By default, the search will include resources shared at Salisbury University.
To alter your search results, click on the "Filter" button on the top right of the Commons home page.
At the top of the pop-up window that appears, you will have the option to filter by the type of learning object (modules, discussions, quizzes, etc.).
Below that you can select content type (templates or open textbooks), grade/levels, and who the content is shared with (Salisbury University or other institutions).
When you are finished selecting the search filters, click on the X at the top left of the filters pop-up menu. Your selected filters will appear below the search bar. Click on the X next to these filters to remove them.
Click on the item you want to preview. on the left side of the screen, you can review what the different elements of the module contain. By clicking on an item in the list, you will be able view some information about it. Unfortunately, you will not be able to actually see the content in this view. However, if you click on a module, you will be able to see what the module contains (e.g. assignments, pages, quizzes, and files).
Clicking on an individual item, such as the page listed at the top of the Unit list, you will get a short summary of what is contained in that element. You can page through the module by clicking on the "Next" button on the upper right side of the display.
To import the content into one of your courses, click on the blue Import/Download button on the right-hand side of Commons. A menu will appear with a list of courses you can import the content into.
Select the course you want to import the content into, then select Import into Course. *It is recommended that you first import the content into a Playground course so that you are able to review the content before using it in a live course.
You should receive a message indicating whether the import was successful.
You can then return to your list of course in MyClasses to review the materials.
Because the learning object I selected for this example was a module, we can see in the playground course that the module was imported to the bottom of the list of modules, but it can be moved by clicking and holding on the 8 dots icon at the left of the module name and dragging it to the desired spot.
Now, you are able to look at the details for each item imported into the course. Review the materials and decide which information you would like to keep, modify, or not use in your course. Any information imported into a playground course can be added into your regular course.

Sharing Content to the Canvas Commons

In order to add your own content to the Canvas Commons, first locate the course in which you have a particular learning object that you want to share.
Locate the learning object based on its type from the left Navigation bar. If the learning object is an assignment, go to the Assignments listing; if it is a Module, go to the Modules listing; if it is a single page, you will need to go to the Pages listing, and then “View all pages”.
Locate the learning object in the list on the appropriate page. In this example we will use an Assignment which is a quiz. From the settings icon (three dots) drop-down menu for that object, select Share to Commons. In this example we are using a quiz that is listed in the Assignments.
The Commons Share Resources page will appear. First decide who can use this resource. You will have the option to select Only Me, All of Salisbury University, or Public (any Canvas Commons user).
Next you can indication if this is a special type of content – such as a Template or Open textbook. This is optional, and you don’t need to use it for something like this quiz.
Scrolling down, the license identifies how others can use your learning object. For the License, select the appropriate copyright license from the pull-down list. For the most learning objects we recommend Attribution, NonCommercial, ShareAlike. If you are interested in reviewing the meaning behind the options, click the link here that says “Help Me Choose” and it will open a new tab and you can read about the differences.
Next you will provide Metadata information such as a title, a description, and Tags. Tags are helpful to allow someone to search and locate this information. So for this particular resource we are going to say Practice Quiz and Introductions. It is also recommended you add an image which will be displayed in the listings of available objects.
To choose the Grades/Levels appropriate for your learning object, click and drag the white circle slider so that the blue line only highlights the grades/levels this object applies to.
Once you have entered all of the necessary information, scroll down to the bottom and click Share.
If you want to share a learning object only within a particular department, ID&D can establish a group for you to share information.

Summary of Steps

Importing Content from Canvas Commons

Log in to your MyClasses account.
On the left global navigation bar, find and click on the Commons icon (it looks like a C with a right-pointing arrow).
If it is your first time using commons, you may receive a message asking for permission to enter. Click accept.
Featured items are found at the top of the Commons Home Page. If you are interested in one of these items, jump to Step10.
Use the search bar to find learning objects such as courses, modules, assignments, quizzes, discussions, pages, and other items. Type your desired topic into the search bar. By default, the search will include resources shared at Salisbury University.
To alter your search results, click on the "Filter" button on the top right of the Commons home page.
At the top of the pop-up window that appears, you will have the option to filter by the type of learning object (modules, discussions, quizzes, etc.).
Below that you can select content type (templates or open textbooks), grade/levels, and who the content is shared with (Salisbury University or other institutions).
When you are finished selecting the search filters, click on the X at the top left of the filters pop-up menu. Your selected filters will appear below the search bar. Click on the X next to these filters to remove them.
Click on the item you want to preview. By clicking on the item, you will be able view some information about it. Unfortunately, you will not be able to actually see the content. However, if you click on a module, you will be able to see what the module contains (e.g. assignments, pages, quizzes, and files).
Clicking on an individual item, such as the page listed at the top of the Unit list, you will get a short summary of what is contained in that element. You can page through the module by clicking on the "Next" button on the upper right side of the display.
To import the content into one of your courses, click on the blue Import/Download button on the right-hand side of Commons. A menu will appear with a list of courses you can import the content into.
Select the course you want to import the content into, then select Import into Course. *It is recommended that you first import the content into a Playground course so that you are able to review the content before using it in a live course.
You should receive a message indicating whether the import was successful.
You can then return to your list of course in MyClasses to review the materials.

Sharing Content to Canvas Commons

Locate the course in which you have a particular learning object that you want to share.
Locate the learning object based on its type from the left Navigation bar. If the learning object is an assignment, go to the Assignments listing; if it is a Module, go to the Modules listing; if it is a single page, you will need to go to the Pages listing, and then “View all pages”.
Locate the learning object in the list on the appropriate page. In this example we will use an Assignment which is a quiz. From the settings icon (three dots) drop-down menu for that object, select Share to Commons. In this example we are using a quiz that is listed in the Assignments.
The Commons Share Resources page will appear. First decide who can use this resource. You will have the option to select Only Me, All of Salisbury University, or Public (any Canvas Commons user).
Next you can indication if this is a special type of content – such as a Template or Open textbook. This is optional, and you don’t need to use it for something like this quiz.
Scrolling down, the license identifies how others can use your learning object. For the License, select the appropriate copyright license from the pull-down list. For the most learning objects we recommend Attribution, NonCommercial, ShareAlike. If you are interested in reviewing the meaning behind the options, click the link here that says “Help Me Choose” and it will open a new tab and you can read about the differences.
Next you will provide Metadata information such as a title, a description, and Tags. Tags are helpful to allow someone to search and locate this information. So for this particular resource we are going to say Practice Quiz and Introductions. It is also recommended you add an image which will be displayed in the listings of available objects.
To choose the Grades/Levels appropriate for your learning object, click and drag the white circle slider so that the blue line only highlights the grades/levels this object applies to.
Once you have entered all of the necessary information, scroll down to the bottom and click Share.
If you want to share a learning object only within a particular department, ID&D can establish a group for you to share information.

Other Resources:

Canvas Commons Community Website