A Blueprint provides the ability to sync content across linked course shells/sections, eliminating manual copying, duplicate building, and ensuring consistency where you need it.
Overview
A Blueprint course in Canvas acts as a master course. When you make updates to the Blueprint, such as adding an assignment, revising a module, or updating a rubric, you can sync those changes out to all associated course of record shells/sections with a single click. This means you maintain one authoritative version of course content, and section instructors receive updates to content when you choose to sync the sections.
While their sections will be linked to a Blueprint, the instructors in each section will still need to publish their course and manage section-specific settings like due dates, availability, and grading. They maintain full control over their section. See important notes below in “Locking and Unlocking Content.”
Blueprints are not the same as a merged course. If you need a single, combined experience and Gradebook, you'll want to request a merged course instead.
If you think you may use a Blueprint, please notify your faculty so they don’t begin building in their course of record shells. The shells need to be empty to link them to a Blueprint; otherwise, there is a risk of duplicating content. Once the Blueprint is linked, faculty can begin importing or creating their own content within their own shell.
Blueprint Content
When your Blueprint is first created, it starts empty. We typically populate it by copying content from an existing course, either a sandbox course you've been building or a previous semester's version of the course.
If you don't have course content yet, you can create a sandbox course to begin building, then ask us to copy that content into your Blueprint once it's ready.
Blueprint courses should include the structural elements of the course, such as modules, assignments, discussions, quizzes, pages, files, and rubrics. However, Blueprints should be intentionally designed without certain details to allow instructors flexibility in their own sections:
- No due dates: Instructors should set due dates in their individual sections.
- Blank instructor-specific pages: Pages like "Meet Your Instructor" remain empty for personalization.
Blueprints contain no student enrollments, only the course coordinator(s) responsible for managing the content. Section instructors work in their own associated courses, not in the Blueprint itself.
Blueprint Use Cases
Multi-section courses benefit most from Blueprints. For example, a course like MSS101 has multiple sections taught by different instructors each semester. Blueprints ensure every section maintains the same core content, learning objectives, assignments, and modules, while still allowing instructors to personalize instructor-specific content, adjust due dates, or modify instructions for their particular section throughout the term.
Other scenarios where Blueprints add value:
- Coordinated courses where a lead instructor designs curriculum that instructors deliver.
- Program-level consistency where you want to ensure all sections of a course meet the same learning outcomes.
- Courses with frequent updates where a coordinator needs to push syllabus changes, new assignments, or policy updates mid-semester to all sections at once.
When you might not need a Blueprint:
- If you're teaching a single section, or if your course sections are substantially different from each other, a standard course copy will likely meet your needs more simply.
Functionality
Syncing Content
The information below explains the most common syncing content points for faculty. For more, review this comprehensive chart outlining what does and does not sync in a Blueprint →
Content in the Blueprint course can be synced to all associated courses by clicking the blue "Sync" button in the Blueprints panel. Unlike a Google Doc, the Blueprint does not sync automatically. Syncing is an all-or-nothing action. You cannot select specific content to sync or choose only certain courses to receive the update. All associated sections receive the same sync.
Before syncing, you can select "Unsynced Changes" to preview what will be pushed to associated courses.
When syncing, you'll see several checkboxes to select:
- Include Course Settings: Checking this will overwrite settings that instructors may have customized in their own sections (course home page, Dashboard image, etc.). This must be checked to sync assignment group weights. We recommend leaving this unchecked in future syncs to preserve instructor customization, unless you need to sync changes to assignment group weights.
- Send Notification: Check this to add a message to instructors explaining what changed in the sync.
- Enable New Item Notifications: This sends notifications to students in all associated sections. Only check this if you're syncing published assignments or announcements that students should know about immediately. Use this carefully as checking it means you're sending notifications in your colleagues' courses.
Locking and Unlocking Content
Blueprint content can be locked or unlocked, which determines whether instructors can edit it in their own sections:
- Locked content cannot be edited by section instructors. Use this for elements that must remain consistent across all sections—such as program-approved syllabi, standardized rubrics, or department-mandated resources.
- Unlocked content can be edited by section instructors. This allows flexibility for due dates, personalized instructions, or section-specific modifications.
Once an instructor edits unlocked content in their section, that item disconnects from future Blueprint syncs. Any changes you make to that item in the Blueprint will no longer update in their course.
Example scenario: You sync Assignment 1 (unlocked) to all MSS101 sections. Professor Chen edits Assignment 1 in her section to adjust the due date and add specific instructions. Later, you update Assignment 1 in the Blueprint to clarify the rubric. Professor Chen's section will not receive this update; her edited version is independent because she made changes. You'll need to contact her directly to share the updated assignment.
Decide which content should be locked vs. unlocked before instructors begin working in their courses. Changing lock status mid-semester can create confusion.
Request a Blueprint
Here’s a look at the Blueprint request and setup process, from start to finish:
Use this form on QU IT’s site to request a Blueprint. The earlier you request the Blueprint, the better.
After submitting the request, inform your faculty that they should not do any work in their course sections until the Blueprint setup process is complete. This includes editing the course home page, importing course content, or setting up their gradebook. Once the Blueprint setup process is complete, they can work in their course sections.
If course content is already in their sections, QILT can reset their course to avoid later duplication issues.
If this is your first Blueprint request: You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your Blueprint request that contains a link to the Calendly for Joel Vanner, assistant director for operations, media, and technology. You must schedule a meeting with Joel who will setup and walk you through Blueprints.
If you indicate you have used Blueprints before: You will be added to the Blueprint as a “Teacher” role but your Blueprint will not yet be associated with course sections. Joel will follow up with you when this is complete. In the meantime, you can begin building in the Blueprint.
Once the Blueprint is setup and associated with course sections, use the blue “Sync” button in the Blueprints panel to push out content. More information about how to sync content, including considerations if you use assignment group weights, is above in Syncing Content.
If you use textbook publisher material or other LTI-connected tools such as YuJa Lumina, check to make sure the content is properly connected. Reach out to your faculty in the associated sections to have them ensure the content looks correct, too.
Faculty can begin working in their course sections. To continue mitigating opportunities for duplication and confusion, continue communicating with faculty about the Blueprint process and the content you are syncing to them.
Blueprints are not the same as a merged course. If you need a single, combined experience and Gradebook, you'll want to request a merged course instead.
Connect With Us
To learn more about Blueprints, schedule time to meet with us →
Resources
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