Canvas Commons

Canvas Commons

screenshot showing the Canvas Commons website

Introduction

Commons is a new way for educators to collaborate, share, and find the best educational resources available within Canvas. On Commons, you’ll be able to share Courses, Assessments, and Activities created in Canvas with other educators as well as find and import other learning resources directly into your own Canvas courses.

Features

  • Learning Object Repository (LOR)
  • Sharing is easy
  • Searching is intuitive
  • Adding content to your course is easy
  • A broad range of content types
  • Share widely or to a specific groups

Getting Started

Canvas Commons can be found inside Canvas. Begin by logging in to Canvas.

Instructor Resources

Using existing Canvas Commons resources in your Canvas course

  1. From within Canvas, click the link for Commons in the red bar on the side of the screen.
  2. Search for content, and click the blue link to view a specific result.
  3. When you have found the content you want to use, click the blue button to Import/Download it to your Canvas course.
  4. See the Canvas guide ‘How do I use Commons?‘ for more information.

Sharing your own resources to Canvas Commons

  1. Open your Canvas course.
  2. Locate the item you want to add to Commons and click the three dots.
  3. Select Share to Commons.
  4. See the Canvas guide ‘How do I share a resource to Commons?‘ for more information.

Syllabus Statement

Important! Canvas Commons resources become standard Canvas content in your course. You do not need to include a separate syllabus statement.

Student Resources

Using Canvas Commons resources in your Canvas course

When your instructor uses resources from Canvas Commons, they will appear as regular content in your Canvas course.

Online Documentation

Licensing

Commons uses your Canvas account and does not require a separate sign-on.

There is no associated fee for ISU faculty or students to use Canvas Commons. 

Support

The Canvas Commons tool is supported by Instructure. Use one of the following channels to connect with their 24/7 support:

  • live chat — open the ?Help menu in Canvas and click ‘Chat with Canvas Support’
  • ticket support — open the ?Help menu in Canvas and click ‘Report a Problem‘
  • phone support — call 515-294-4000, then follow the prompts for Canvas support