Managing your own migration provides the flexibility to bring only the content that you need into Canvas. Once migrated, you can identify which assets can be used as-is and re-build any modules or content that did not migrate well. Follow the steps below to complete your course setup.

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Request a Course Shell

Before you begin building your course in Canvas, you’ll first need to obtain a new course shellby completing the Course Shell Request Form. Be sure to choose Canvas Request at the top of the form!

Note: This course shell will not be accessible to students, but is used for the development of your course materials prior to the “live” course being created in Canvas.

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Prepare and Export Content from D2L

To minimize the time needed to adjust your course in Canvas, we recommend you "clean up" your course prior to exporting it. Use the Pre-Migration Checklist  to guide you through these adjustments.

Once you've completed the checklist, follow either the Export Content from D2L Video Tutorial or the Export a Course Written Tutorialto export your course from D2L Brightspace. 

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Navigate to your Canvas Course

  1. Log in to Canvas at https://montana.instructure.com/login/saml.
  2. When you log in, you will be in your Canvas dashboard.
  3. Select the desired course by clicking on the course card.

Note: Depending on where we are in the migration schedule, you may not see all your courses right away. All courses that will be migrated for you will appear by July 2025.

Canvas dashboard with the "Growing with Canvas" course card outlined in red

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Update Your Homepage Template

Each new course shell will feature an MSU-branded Homepage. This default homepage includes a banner and a designated area where instructors can share essential details about themselves and the course. Please refer to the Update Your Homepage Tutorial for guidance on personalizing your homepage.

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Import, Review, and Organize Content in Canvas

The time required to import your course content from D2L Brightspace into Canvas will vary depending on the size and features used. The Import Content into Canvas Video Tutorial will guide you through each step to ensure a successful transition. For a full written tutorial, visit the How to Import Content Written Tutorial.

Keep in mind that some content may not transfer exactly as expected. Use the steps in the tutorials and the Post-Migration Checklist to identify and adjust any areas that need attention before publishing your course.

When you are ready, organize your content.

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Create New Content

Some migrated content elements may not transfer well and will require rebuilding. Canvas offers a versatile toolkit for creating new content, including pages, assignments, discussions, quizzes, links, documents, and external tools.

Canvas Content Tutorials

Use the links below to webpage and video tutorials to learn more about each content item.

Announcements

  are a quick way to communicate with your students.

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Pages

  provide a platform for presenting course materials.

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Assignments

  track student progress and facilitate feedback.

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Quizzes

  assess student understanding with various question formats.

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Discussions

  foster collaborative learning environments.

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Modules

  structure the flow of your course and its content.

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LTIs,

  like Panopto, are integrated external tools to support your course.

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Set up the Gradebook

Each assignment's grades can be calculated as points, percentages, complete or incomplete, pass or fail, GPA scale, and letter grades. Assignments can be organized into groups for weighting. Only graded assignments, discussions, quizzes, and surveys published are shown in the Gradebook. “Not Graded” assignments will not be shown. 

To get started, review the written Gradebook Tutorial or the Gradebook Video

Weighting Grades

You can organize your graded Canvas activities into groups such as "quizzes" or "homework". When you select this option, you assign a weight to the assignment group rather than to individual assignments. Canvas calculates the grade by dividing the total points a student has earned by the total possible points for all assignments in that group.

For detail instructions, refer to the Weight your Gradebook Tutorial or Video.

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Copy Course

Once your content is complete in your shell and your live course becomes available prior to the start of the semester, you can copy your content over using the Copy a Canvas Course Tutorial.

Next Steps

Canvas and ATO provide a variety of live training courses and webinars. Visit our Training Calendar Page to view and sign up for upcoming sessions.

Additionally, explore our On-Demand Resources Page for links and information about Canvas live trainings, content-specific courses, and instructor-focused videos and guides.