Teacher - Course Import Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• 1 Prerequisites
• 2 Overview of the Import Process
• 3 Accessing the Course Importer
• 4 Step-by-Step Instructions
  • 4.1 Upload Your Course File
  • 4.2 File Analysis
  • 4.3 Content Overview
  • 4.4 Import Completion
• 5 Technical Information
  • 5.1 Supported Content Types
  • 5.2 Unsupported Content Types
  • 5.3 Content Considerations
• 6 Troubleshooting
  • 6.1 File Issues
  • 6.2 Content Issues
  • 6.3 Post-import Issues

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Introduction

The Course Importer enables you to import course content from external Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle, into itslearning. The tool supports two file types:

• MBZ: Moodle backup format
• Common Cartridge (IMSCC): A standard by 1EdTech, compatible with various LMS platforms. Only version 1.1 is supported.

Each format has unique characteristics affecting how content is transferred into itslearning.

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1 Prerequisites

Before using the importer, ensure the following:

• The Course Importer must be enabled by your system administrator.
• You have a valid MBZ or IMSCC course file.
• Maximum upload size: 1024 MB
• Only one file can be uploaded per import session.

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2 Overview of the Import Process

The importer recreates the course structure and transfers supported content.

Administrators may rename "Course Importer" to suit local needs (e.g., Moodle Importer).

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3 Accessing the Course Importer

Once enabled:

1. Open the course where you want to import content.
2. Go to the Resources section.
3. Click Add.
4. Under Ready-to-use content, select Course importer.

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4 Step-by-Step Instructions

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4.1 Upload Your Course File

1. Upload a valid MBZ or IMSCC file.
2. Click Import to begin.

• File size must not exceed 1024 MB.
• Only one file at a time is allowed.

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4.2 File Analysis

The system checks the file’s structure and identifies supported content. Processing time may vary depending on the file size.

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4.3 Content Overview

The analysis report will categorize your content:

Category	System Display	Examples
Fully supported content	"Imported"	Files, folders, links, text
Partially supported content	"Partially imported"	Quizzes or Feedback with not all question types supported
Unsupported content	"Content type not supported"	Moodle glossary, workshops, databases, LTI tools

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4.4 Import Completion

Once the import finishes:

• You'll receive a bell notification.
• Content appears in a new folder within Resources.
• The folder preserves the original course structure from the LMS it was imported from.

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5 Technical Information

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5.1 Supported Content Types

Moodle Content Type	Converts to in itslearning	Notes
Section	Folder	For each section a folder is created.
Files	Files	-
Folder	Folder and files	The folder structure is replicated
URLs	Links	Functionality is preserved
Pages and text areas	Pages	Formatting is mostly preserved
Forums	Discussions	Only the forum name and its description are imported
Assignments	Assignment or task	The assignment tool in Moodle can be used to let students submit an answer, or to check off a task they need to complete. In itslearning, the Task tool is used if students don’t need to submit something. An assignment in Moodle can therefore end up as Assignment or as Task in itslearning. If for “Submission types” in Moodle the option “Online text” and/or “File submission” is checked, the Assignment will be created as Assignment in itslearning. If both are disabled, the resource will be created as Task in itslearning. If the Assignment in Moodle is using the field “Activity instructions”, the contents of this field will in itslearning be appended to any content that was in the Description field in Moodle. The following settings are respected when an Assignment is created in itslearning: If the setting “Anonymous submissions” is enabled in Moodle, the assignment created in itslearning will also have anonymous submissions enabled. If the setting “Students submit in groups” is enabled in Moodle, the assignment created in itslearning will also allow students to submit as groups, with the option “students create groups” selected. The following settings are respected when a Task is created in itslearning: If for “Completion tracking” the option “Students can manually mark the activity as completed” is selected, the Task is created with the option “Participants can mark the task as complete” selected. Otherwise, the task is created with the option “Only teachers can mark the task as complete” selected.
Quizzes	Tests (Test 3.0 format)	Not all question types are supported
Surveys	Surveys	Not all question types are supported
Feedback	Surveys	Converted to itslearning surveys

 

Common Cartridge Content	Converts to in itslearning	Notes
Course Structure (Organisational Structure)	Folder	Folder hierarchy is retained
Web Content	File, Page or Assignment	Depending on the content
Web Links	Link	External links are retained
Discussion Forum	Page	Only the basic structure
Assessment	Test 3.0	QTI-compatible reviews

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5.2 Unsupported Content Types

All other content types will not be supported. Examples are:

• Glossary
• Workshop
• Database
• LTI tools (external tools)
• H5P content

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5.3 Content Considerations

• Text formatting is largely preserved; minor formatting may be lost
• Embedded media (audio/video) import may vary by method
• Images: Common formats are supported
• Special characters: Unicode is supported, but rendering may vary

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6 Troubleshooting

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6.1 File Issues

Problem: Import fails during file upload

Symptoms: Error message appears, upload stops, or file is rejected

Solutions:

• Ensure file format is MBZ (Moodle backup) or IMSCC (Common Cartridge) – Error message: "Invalid file type"
• Check file size – must not exceed 1024 MB
• Try re-exporting the course file from your original LMS if upload fails repeatedly

Problem: File uploads but import doesn't start

Symptoms: File appears uploaded but analysis phase never begins

Solutions:

• Wait 2–3 minutes – large files may take time to process
• Refresh your browser page
• Check your internet connection stability
• Contact your local support if the issue persists

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6.2 Content Issues

Problem: Expected content is missing after import

Symptoms: Folders, activities, or resources you expected don't appear in the imported course

Solutions:

• Review the analysis report that appeared before import
• Look for content marked as "Content type not supported" or "Partially imported"
• Check the Technical Information section for supported content types (5.1–5.2)
• Some content types (like Glossary, Workshop, Database) are not supported and will not import

Problem: Content appears but doesn't work correctly

Symptoms: Activities don't function as expected, formatting looks wrong, or links are broken

Solutions:

• This is normal for some content types that are only partially supported. Consult above table or cartridge article.
• Review each imported item individually
• Recreate unsupported activities manually using itslearning tools
• Check embedded media – some may need to be re-uploaded

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6.3 Post-import Issues

Problem: Can't find imported content

Symptoms: Import completed successfully but you can't locate the new content

Solutions:

• Go to your course Resources section
• Look for a new folder with your original course name
• Check that you imported into the correct course
• Look for the bell notification confirming import completion

Problem: Imported content structure is confusing

Symptoms: Content organization doesn't match your original course

Solutions:

• The importer preserves the original folder structure from your LMS
• Use itslearning's move and organize tools to restructure as needed
• Consider creating a new folder structure and moving content manually

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Need more help?

• Contact your local support.
• For technical specifications and settings, consult the itslearning sysadmin documentation and documentation about the different cartridges

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Click here to learn more about the GDP roadmap and what other features you can expect.

For German readers: Click here for more information about the project within the framework of the German Development Project.