When would you use this?
If someone has shared a Canvas course export file with you, which includes course materials such as files, powerpoints, etc. You would like to access the content (for example, open one of the powerpoint presentations) but you do not have access to a Canvas course shell in which to import the file.
Canvas export files have the extension .imscc. They can only be imported into another Canvas course (or other LMS course). It is possible to get a free Canvas account where you could import these export files using Canvas Free-for-Teachers. However, if all you want is the files that were uploaded to the course, the method described below may be more appropriate.
A .imscc file is a type of zipped file, so it can be unzipped like any other zipped file (the most common type being .zip files)
Instructions:
- Right-click on the .imscc file and select "rename"
- Change the file extension from .imscc to .zip
- You may be asked to confirm this change. Click yes/ok. Ignore warnings
- Right click on the .zip and select "Extract All" (on Mac OS: double-click on a .zip file and it will automatically start the unzipping process
- Open the new, unzipped folder. There will likely be many files and folders, mostly .html and .xml files which will likely not be useful to you. Locate a folder called "web_resources." This folder will contain files (such as word docs, ppts, pdfs, etc) that were uploaded to the course.
Note: another option is to user a 3rd-party extraction tool such as 7-zip. These tools offer more extraction functionality. You can extract from the .imscc file without renaming it.
Additional Information:
Only individuals enrolled as Teacher in a course can create the original export file (or admins). See How do I export a Canvas course? for instructions. Course exports do not include student submissions, grades, or any information about students.
Canvas course export files may be very large and it may not be possible to email them.