How do I share my lead course with other instructors?

Last updated on May 13, 2026

Many courses at the university have several sections, taught by several different instructors. Still, we want to create a consistent experience across sections of a course so students all receive a similarly excellent learning experience. There are several ways a department chair or course facilitator can share their lead course, or the relevant content within, with those instructors teaching different sections of the course.

Note: Any of the following methods can be used to deploy a lead course to other courses once they are ready. These methods typically require familiarity with the CTLD Ready Website self-help tutorials.

Directions

Terminology

• Lead Course – A course developed specifically to be distributed to multiple instructors. (Previously called template, master, etc.)
• Recipient Course – A course that will receive content from a lead course. (Previously called child course, templated course, etc.)

Method 1: Send an Export (.imscc) of the Lead Course

Lead Course Instructor Steps

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Select the Lead Course you’d like to export.
3. Click on Settings from the Course Navigation Menu on the left.
4. Click Export Course Content from the menu on the right.
5. Click the radio button labeled Course under Export Type.
6. Click Create Export.
   • Note: This process may take some time. You can leave the page without interrupting the export. You will receive an email when the course export is complete.
7. Navigate to the Content Exports section by clicking on Export Course Content again from the menu on the right.
8. Click the Newly Created Link to download the exported .imscc file.
9. Save the .imscc file  to your computer.
   • Note: An .imscc file is a Canvas Common Cartridge file and is not something that can or should be opened on your computer. It is native to Canvas and should be imported directly into a course shell, as is.
10. Send the .imscc file to recipient instructors by attaching it to an email or sharing via OneDrive.

Recipient Instructor Steps

1. Download the .imscc File sent by the lead instructor.
2. Log in to your Canvas Account.
3. Select the Course Shell you’d like to import content to.
4. Click Import Existing Content from the menu on the right of the Home Screen.
5. Click the Content Type drop-down menu. 
6. Select Canvas Course Export Package.
7. Click the Choose File button. 
8. Select the .imscc File you previously downloaded.
9. Follow the instructions in the Copy a Canvas Course spotlight.
   • Important: You should skip the steps until you reach the Select Specific Content step.

Method 2: Enroll Recipient Instructor in Sandbox Version of the Lead Course

Lead Course Instructor Steps

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Follow the instructions listed in the Copy a Canvas Course spotlight to copy the content from the lead course into a sandbox course of your choosing.
3. Enter the Sandbox Course you just imported content to. 
4. Click People in the course navigation menu on the left.
5. Click the + People button on the top right.
6. Enter the recipient instructor’s email address into the text box.
7. Click the Role drop-down menu.
8. Select Teacher from the list of options.
9. Click Next. 
10. Click Add Users. 
11. Send instructors a link to the Copy a Canvas spotlight so they can copy the sandbox course into their course shell.

Recipient Instructor Steps

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Follow the instructions in the Copy a Canvas Course spotlight to copy from the sandbox into your new Course Shell.

Method 3: Recipient Instructors Enroll the Lead Course Instructor in their Recipient Course

Lead Course Instructor Steps

1. Email recipient instructor and request to be added to the Recipient Course as a teacher.
2. Once the recipient instructor has added you to the course, log in to your Canvas Account.
3. Select the Recipient Course you will be transferring content to.
4. Follow the instructions in the Copy a Canvas Course spotlight to copy from the lead course shell into the recipient’s course shell..

Recipient Instructor Steps

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Select the recipient course you will be teaching from.
3. Click People in the course navigation menu on the left.
4. Click the + People button on the top right.
5. Enter the Course Facilitator’s email address into the text box.
6. Click the Role drop-down menu.
7. Select Teacher from the list of options.
8. Click Next.
9. Click Add Users. 
10. The lead course instructor may now copy content to your course shell.

Have questions?

Need additional support on this or other teaching and learning topics? Please visit us for drop-in support (10am-3pm, M-F) or try one of our self-help tutorials. 

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