What are Assignments?

Assignments include Quizzes, graded Discussions, and online submissions (i.e. files, images, text, URLs, etc.). Assignments in Canvas can be used to challenge students' understanding and help assess competency by using a variety of media. The Assignments page shows students all of the Assignments that will be expected of them and how many points each is worth.

Assignments can be assigned to everyone in the course or differentiated by section or user.

The Assignments page supports keyboard shortcuts. To view a window with a list of keyboard navigation shortcuts, press the Shift+Question Mark keys simultaneously on your keyboard.

Instructor View

Instructor View

Any assignment created and published in the Assignments page will automatically show up in the Grades, Calendar, and Syllabus features so students can view them. Additionally, any assignments created in the Calendar will automatically show up in the Grades, Assignments, and Syllabus features.

Assignments can also be organized in Modules.

When would I use Assignments?

Assignments can be used to:

  • Assess how well students are achieving course Outcomes
  • Set up online submissions that can be quickly graded in the SpeedGrader
  • Grade online as well as student work submitted "on-paper"
  • Create differentiated assignments for sections
  • Set up peer reviews
  • Grade Discussions, either by the whole class or student groups
  • Open Quizzes for a limited amount of time
  • Record attendance
  • Create ungraded activities that align with course Outcomes
  • Assess submissions with moderated grading and multiple reviewers

Student View

Student View

Any assignment created by an instructor in the Assignments page will automatically show up in the Grades, Calendar, and Syllabus features.

To access an assignment, click the name of the assignment.