How do I re-use a previous semester's list?
If you or the library staff created a list for your course in a previous semester, we highly recommend reusing that list as the most efficient option. You will still be able to make changes to your list if you wish.
There are two ways to copy a previous list to your current course. Each of these options will create a duplicate of your previous list which you can edit, while retaining the old version of the list.
You also have a third option to re-link an older list to your new course, but the link to the older course will not be retained, and any changes you make will be permanent. Library staff recommend Options 1 and 2 for best results.
Please note:
- If you have already created a list for your current course, you will not see the option to create from an existing list. Contact your library staff for assistance.
- You must be the owner of the previous list to reuse it. If you are new to the course but think the previous instructor may have had a list that you’d like to reuse, contact your library staff to see if they can help.
Option 1: Create a new list from an existing list
Open your current course in Canvas and open Reading Lists.
You’ll see two options. Choose Select existing list on the right.
Review your lists and select the one you want to reuse by clicking Duplicate list on the far right.
By default, the list will keep the name of your old course, with the words “Rolled Over” added to the end. We recommend editing the list name to remove “Rolled Over” and to reflect the current course.
Your current course will appear in the Link to course field. Click Create List.
Your list will open. You can add or remove items if you’d like, or just click My list is ready to publish your list for students and send it to the library for processing. (You can always edit later as well).
Option 2: Open the old list and duplicate
Note: If you have already created a new list from scratch, we do not recommend duplicating a previous list for the same course, as it can cause confusion for your students and for library staff. Please contact your library if you decide you’d like to use a previous list instead.
Open the previous semester’s course in Canvas and open the Reading List. Click the List menu (three dots) at the top right of the screen.
Choose Duplicate list.
Choose your current course in the Link to course field. You can search the course number to find it.
By default, the list will keep the name of your old course, with the words “Rolled Over” added to the end. We recommend editing the list name to remove “Rolled Over” and to reflect the current course.
Click Create list.
Your list will open. You can add or remove items if you’d like, or just click My list is ready to publish your list for students and send it to the library for processing. (You can always edit later as well).
Option 3: Relink the old list to your current course
This option will link your old list to your current course, without making a copy of it. If you plan to make changes to your list and want to retain a copy of the previous version, you should not choose this option - you should duplicate the list using one of the options above instead of relinking it.
Note: If you have already created a new list from scratch, we do not recommend relinking a previous list to the same course, as it can cause confusion for your students and for library staff. Please contact your library if you decide you’d like to use a previous list instead.
Follow the instructions in Option 1 to open your current course in Canvas and open Reading Lists, then choose Select existing list.
Review your lists and select the one you want to relink by clicking Link course to this list.
You’ll see a pop-up message asking you to confirm. Click OK.
Your list will open. Click My list is ready to publish your list for students and send it to the library for processing.
By default, the list will keep the name of your old course, with the words “Rolled Over” added to the end. We recommend editing the list name to remove “Rolled Over” and to reflect the current course.
To edit the list name, open the List menu by clicking the three dots at the top of the list.
Choose Edit list.
You can then make changes to the list title.