Canvas Templates

What are Commons and Canvas Templates?

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. To learn more about Commons, see the Canvas Commons Guide.

Canvas templates are pre-built Canvas components such as modules, pages, assignments, or quizzes. The templates cover topics like academic integrity, common and not-so-common online exam formats, course orientation for students, and more. The templates are stored in the Commons and can be pulled into any Canvas course where they can be used as-is or modified to meet your needs.

Template to Set Up Your Canvas Course

COE Course Template for Faculty

This template will assist you in getting your Canvas course set up quickly. Its research-based framework shows you how to organize your course so that students can easily find what they need.

COE Course Template for Faculty

This template will assist you in getting your Canvas course set up quickly. Its research-based framework shows you how to organize your course so that students can easily find what they need.

Additional Canvas Templates

Engineering Path to Success

The COE developed this module to help engineering students succeed in their first year at Penn State. It includes four activities with assessments.

Academic Integrity Resources at Penn State

This template offers an introduction to Penn State Academic Integrity, access to the Academic Integrity Tutorial, and a final quiz.

COE Learning Survey

Using the Engineering Feedback on Teaching Evaluation (EFTE) is a great method for gathering mid-semester feedback.

EECS - Academic Integrity Resources at Penn State

This academic integrity module was developed by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Engineering Path to Success

The COE developed this module to help engineering students succeed in their first year at Penn State. It includes four activities with assessments.

Academic Integrity Resources at Penn State

This template offers an introduction to Penn State Academic Integrity, access to the Academic Integrity Tutorial, and a final quiz.

EECS - Academic Integrity Resources at Penn State

This academic integrity module was developed by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

COE Learning Survey

Using the Engineering Feedback on Teaching Evaluation (EFTE) is a great method for gathering mid-semester feedback.

Import a Template into a Canvas Course

1) Log in to Canvas using your PSU access account.

2) On your Canvas dashboard, click on the Commons icon in the global navigation. The Canvas Commons page will load.

Select Commons in the global navigation.

3) In the search bar underneath the Canvas Commons navigation, enter in the title of the course template you wish to find.

4) Click on the title of the template you wish to import — this will bring you to the preview page.

5) Click the Import/Download button on the right side of the screen, click the check box for the course(s) you want to import the template into, then click the Import into Course button.

Click Import/Download.

6) A confirmation message will appear at the top of the template details window, and the template will be imported into your Canvas course — this process may take several minutes. Modules will appear in the Modules page in your Canvas course; surveys and exams in the Quizzes page; and Assignments in the Assignments page.

7) Once the content is in your course, you can adjust where it appears in your course. You may also customize the content to meet your needs.

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About the Office for Digital Learning

Promoting innovative approaches to engineering education on campus and online, we offer a variety of degree and certificate programs, develop individual online courses, and work with faculty to enhance teaching and learning.

Need some help?

Get In Touch

About the Office for Digital Learning

Promoting innovative approaches to engineering education on campus and online, we offer a variety of degree and certificate programs, develop individual online courses, and work with faculty to enhance teaching and learning.