The Moodle Glossary module is considered an Activity and not a Resource. Because of that, when it's copied (either within a course or from one course to another) the user data is removed, leaving an empty glossary. This issue is explained in article KB1240.
If your Glossary is being used as a resource for your students rather than an activity, there are some extra steps you can take right away that will save you some time later on:
First, make an EXPORT of your glossary, as detailed in article KB1053.
Second, with editing turned on, upload the .xml export file into your course.
You can do this by simply dragging and dropping it onto your course's main page (editing must be turned on). You will, however, have to move it to the exact location where you want to keep it.
Here are some TIPS you may want to consider:
- Placing it immediately below the original Glossary, as shown in the following image, will make it easy to locate when you need it, later.
- Name it in such a way that you will not forget what it is.
- You should HIDE this file from your students.
When the time comes that your original course shell is copied, and you find an empty Glossary, you will have the data available to you in the .xml export file, but you'll need to import it.
Refer back to article KB1053 for importing instructions.
If you use the File Picker, by clicking on the "Choose a file..." button, you will be able to find it under "Server Files," as shown in the following image.
