Reuse a Moodle Course Using Import


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Every semester you teach a course in Moodle, even for classes you've taught before, your newly created Moodle course will initially be empty. Use the Import function to quickly copy content from a previous Moodle course and reuse the content for the current term.

Reusing a Moodle course is a process instructors perform from within their new course. This page provides instructions and a few important reminders.

Before you begin

What gets copied in the import process

By default, the Import function copies everything in a Moodle course with a few exceptions (see below). When you import into your new course, most content, activities, and settings will be imported with the same layout and organization as the previous Moodle course.

You also have the option to import only specific resources and activities from another course. For details, see Copy Moodle Activities or Resources from One Course to Another.

Items not copied during the import process

If the course you are importing from contains the following item types, they will not be imported and will need to be recreated in the new course:

Import an entire course

Because the import process is "additive," it is best to import into a new, empty course if you are importing an entire course. To duplicate the organization and most of the settings of Resources and Activities into the new course, follow the steps below:

  1. Once you have been notified that your course for the new semester is ready, log in to Moodle and select the My Courses tab. The My courses page will open
  2. On the My course page, click the course card of the new course. The new course will open. 
  3. In your new course, select More. The More dropdown menu will open
  4. In the More dropdown menu, select Course reuse. The Course reuse page will open and the Find a course to import data from field will appear. 
  5. In the Find a course to import data from field, select the course you would like to import content from. 
    • Note: The Find a course to import data from page lists up to 10 courses available for you to copy. If you do not see the course you want to copy on the list, in the Search field (at the bottom of the page), enter the exact course name (department and number) and click Search.Courses are deleted from Moodle 18 months after the end of the semester taught. (For details, see Moodle F.A.Q. for Instructors.)
  6. Click Continue. The Import Settings page opens.
  7. On the Import Settings page, check the types of content to copy (activities and resources, blocks, filters, calendar events, and/or question bank); all the options will be selected by default.
  8. Select Jump to final step. The Perform Import page opens, showing the progress of the import.
  9. Depending on the size and number of items to copy, this may take a few moments. You should see a progress bar as the import process proceeds. Once the import process is complete, a confirmation message appears.
  10. Click Continue. You will be returned to the new course.

Clean up imported content & recreate certain item types

After completing the Import process, be sure to attend to these important tasks as needed to finish preparing your course for the new term: