[ARCHIVED] Does "Files" publish files in assignments that are unpublished?

[amclean7]

I had an exam (as an assignment with a Word document attached that contained the questions because it was essay format and that's how I wanted it) that was unpublished for a few days on Canvas before I wanted my students to have access to it. I set the access dates so that students would not be able to access it until the beginning of the exam time. However, some student's access reports show that they viewed the files before the access was open. Does the "Files" tab publish the files you upload even if the assignment is unpublished?? Could the students go search the Files tab and view the materials prior to when they are supposed to have access??

[ddaniels]

In the age of technology, I would hate to say anything is impossible, however, it definitely shouldn't happen. Students do not have access to your files. And you can even check this out by going to "student view" from your home page and you can see exactly what the students see. Now, if you linked the document to a published assignment that might have appeared in a module or calendar, then I would say there might be the possibility for that because the students can still see the assignment and description, just won't be able to do anything until the open date. However, you said it was unpublished which just seems so unlikely, unless there was a glitch which we totally know technology does those things. Next time you do something like that, I would definitely check out the student view and make sure you can't find it as a test student. If you can't find it, then they won't find it. 

Hope that helps a little!

Deirdre