Exporting a course from Canvas is a straightforward process that allows you to create a portable copy of your course content. This is particularly useful for archiving, creating backups, or transferring your course materials to a different Canvas instance. The export creates a Common Cartridge file (.imscc), which is a standard format for educational content.
Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Your Canvas Course
To export your Canvas course content, follow these simple steps:
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Navigate to Your Course: Log in to Canvas and select the specific course you wish to export from your dashboard.
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Access Course Settings:
- Once inside your course, locate the course navigation pane on the left side of your screen.
- Click on Settings to open the course settings page.
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Initiate Content Export:
- On the right-hand side of the Settings page, you will find a list of options. Click the Export Course Content button.
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Select Export Type and Create Export:
- You will be prompted to choose the export type. To export the entire course, select Course.
- After selecting "Course," click the Create Export button to begin the export process.
Summary of Canvas Course Export Steps:
| Step | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access Course | Navigate to the desired course in Canvas. |
| 2 | Click Settings | Locate in the left-hand course navigation pane. |
| 3 | Click Export Course Content | Found on the right side of the course settings page. |
| 4 | Select Export Type | Choose "Course" for a full course export. |
| 5 | Click Create Export | Initiate the export. |
What Happens After Exporting Your Course?
After you click "Create Export," Canvas will begin packaging your course content into a downloadable file. The time this takes depends on the size and complexity of your course.
Once the export is complete, a download link will appear on the same "Export Course Content" page. You can then click this link to download the .imscc file to your computer. This file contains all your course components, including:
- Assignments
- Quizzes
- Pages
- Discussions
- Files
- Modules
- Rubrics
- And more
This exported .imscc file is a versatile asset, ideal for:
- Archiving: Creating a long-term record or backup of your course content outside of Canvas.
- Migration: Facilitating the transfer of course materials between different Canvas accounts, institutions, or to a new course shell.
- Content Reuse: Providing a comprehensive package that can be easily imported into other learning management systems that support the Common Cartridge standard.
