There are many different types of large courses. Some are comprised of multiple unique number sections with a single instructor and several TAs. Others require coordination between multiple instructors and multiple TAs. Below we outline different avenues for managing large courses: merging sections, using a Master or Virtual Course, and leveraging "Blueprint" courses. We will highlight each option, the advantages and disadvantages, and when to choose one over the other. In addition, we will also list ways to communicate with students in each of these scenarios.

Whichever option you choose, this decision should be done while the courses are unpublished. Assignment submissions are retained within the course, not with the section enrollment. If a published course is merged or unmerged, students could lose any associated assignment submissions and grades.

If you have any questions about which option to choose, please let us know! Email: Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu or Schedule a One-on-One Consultation.

Merge Sections
Virtual Course
Blueprint Course

Merging Sections - Combining Sections - Cross-listing Sections are all the same thing. ;)

Combine sections into “one pot.” Canvas keeps unique section information tied to each student.
- Ability to assign TAs to particular section(s)
- Ability to isolate students to only see/communicate with students in their section
Differentiated Assignments, Discussions and Quizzes allow you to give the same or different Due Dates to each section.
- How do I view differentiated assignments with different due dates in a course?
Communication: post Announcements and/or send Inbox messages to a particular section or all sections
Ability to filter the gradebook by section; view sections in SpeedGrader; Post Grades for individual sections or all sections
All sections will have access to the same CONTENT in Files, Modules and Pages

Advantages

Disadvantages

Single course to manage

Assign Due Dates for all sections or select sections

Communicate with all sections or select sections

Assign TAs to particular section(s)

Unable to have section-specific content; all sections have access to the same Modules, Files and Pages

Ideally, sections should be merged before instructors begin work. Once sections are merged, users will lose access to all content in the secondary sections

Sections must be merged before students start to submit work or risk losing student submissions and/or grades

Merging Sections works best for courses that are cross-listed across disciplines by the Registrar (e.g., GOV, LAS, P A) or for courses with co-instructors whose sections meet at the same time and place. Note: You can merge sections with different instructors by adding the "primary" instructor in each section as a Teacher.

Tutorial - Cross-listing Sections [Combining Courses in Canvas]

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A Virtual (or Master) Course has the benefits of merging sections while keeping each section separate.

New Canvas course is created linking instructor and student enrollments together from all sections
- Request Virtual Course via Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu to get started
- TAs will need to be manually added once Virtual Course is created
Virtual Course contains lecture content (Files, Modules, Pages) and all-section communication (Announcements, Inbox)
Lab/Discussion sections remain autonomous. Content, assessments, communication created to one section will not appear in any other sections
In the example below, there are four ChE 333T lab sections and one ChE 333T lecture "Master Course"

Advantages

Disadvantages

Separate course for lecture content and others for lab/discussion materials
This is especially helpful if there is NOT a separate lecture unique number

TAs can manage their own sections without overwriting other sections

Adds another course for Instructors and TAs to manage

Students will have two course cards

Need to set expectations with students on where to find what

A Virtual Course works best for courses with a lecture and lab/discussion component.

Request a Virtual Course via Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu

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A Blueprint Course is like "cloning" a course across several uniques.

Blueprint syncs course content, such as Files, Modules, Assignments, Announcements, etc., to associated courses, all at once
- Blueprint should have an Admin and back-up; there are no students in a Blueprint course
- How do I sync course content in a blueprint course?
Ability to lock-down settings – content, points, due date, availability date
- Select which items in a course to lock and prevent others from editing or deleting
- How do I lock course objects in a blueprint course?
Instructors and TAs of “associated courses” can add their own content and/or edit unlocked items
- How do I manage content for a course associated with a blueprint course?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Blueprint performs a course copy to the associated sections all at once without having to add other instructors to your course.

Ability to update parts of the course and push those changes to all associated sections at once

Ability to lock-down settings and select which areas need to be locked or left unlocked

Instructors of associated sections can add their own material without fear of being overwritten

Creation of Blueprint course requires a meeting with a Canvas Admin to discuss settings. There is a bit of a learning curve; To Lock or Not to Lock! ;)

All-section Announcements should be post-dated to accommodate for the time it takes to sync

Unable to sync parts of the Blueprint or exclude items from a sync. Only sync when you have a "finished product"

Unable to Inbox message the Blueprint (no students); Send several Inbox messages or send all-section communication via Announcements

Beginning and Intermediate language courses love Blueprint (think 50+ sections and 20+ instructors for each course). Everyone is teaching the exact same material, assessing based on the same assignments, rubrics, grading scheme, BUT it allows instructors to personalize their sections with individual Home pages, images, Announcements, etc.

Request a Blueprint Course via Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu

View the Blueprint Courses and Canvas Commons Comparisons PDF

Tutorials

How do I view the sync history for a blueprint course?
How do I view the blueprint sync information for a course associated with a blueprint course?

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