Commons is a learning object repository that enables educators to find, import, and share resources. A digital library full of educational content, Commons allows Canvas users to share learning resources with other users as well as import learning resources into a Canvas course.

Where is Commons
Inside Commons
Guides & Videos

Access Commons from Global Navigation

To access Commons, click the 'Commons' icon in the left global navigation bar, below the Inbox [1]. You may be asked to authorize Commons' access to your Canvas account [2].

Commons link in global navigation - - > Authorize Commons

Welcome to Commons!

A resource in Commons can be a course, module, quiz, assignment, discussion, page, document, video, image, or audio file. Each resource type has a unique icon. Look for these related colors and icons when searching for resources.

From the Commons Dashboard, you can Search for resources [1], view Shared resources [2], view Imported resources [3], view any Updates to resources you have imported [4], and view your Favorites [5].

Commons Dashboard

You can search for keywords such as resource type, author, institution, or title by using the Search field [6].

To sort search results by Most Relevant, Latest, Most Favorited, or Most Downloaded, click the Sort by drop-down menu [7].

To apply search filters to your search, click the Filter button [8]. Note: we have added a default filter of "Undergraduate/Graduate" resources. Click the 'X' to remove any filter.

View Content Card

Commons Resource Card Details

In search results, resource details are displayed on content cards. Each card displays the following details:

Resource icon: Identify the resource type
Title: View the title of the resource
Grade level(s): View the grade/level of the resource
Author: View the author of the resource
Downloads and Favorites icons: View the number of times a resource has been downloaded and imported or added as a favorite.

To preview a resource, view more details, or import a resource, click the resource title.

View Resource

Commons View Resource Info

The content overview page loads the Preview tab by default. The sidebar contains further information and links:

Favorites and Downloads: Displays the number of times a resource has been added as a favorite or downloaded
Date of last update: Date when content was last updated by an author
License: Displays either the Copyright or Creative Commons content license
Thumbnail: Resource thumbnail and, if applicable, the approved resource icon
Import/Download button: Button to download or import the resource
Size and Type: Size of resource file(s) and the type of content
Favorites button: Add the resource to your Favorites

To preview resource content, click the Preview tab. The Preview tab is shown by default.

Getting Started Guides

Instructor Videos

Index - Canvas Commons