Adding assignment automatically to module

[MsShorter]

My colleagues and I are in desperate need of the ability to create an assignment and add it to a module immediately. Creating an assignment, then having to go to module, click add, scroll through existing assignments to get to the one needed to then, add it to the module is crazy. This is creating double and triple unnecessary work. The assignment can be created, and place in a module where you want it at the same time. Please make these double and triple steps make sense because it's not adding up. 

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

@MsShorter ...

I think you may have a bit of a misunderstanding on the relationship between the "Assignments" page and the "Modules" page.  While it is possible to create the name of an assignment as an item on your "Modules" page, the "Modules" page is really the area where you are designing the layout of the course for your students.  Essentially, you are creating empty assignment "shells" where your assignment directions can go.  This is all covered in How do I add course content as module items? - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).  The "Assignments" page, on the other hand, is the main place where you can add/edit the details of your assignment.  However, if you create all your assignment names from your "Modules" screen first so that they are listed within a module, you can then click on those names to add/edit content to those items.

Now, if you have already created your assignments on your "Assignments" index page and you now want to add those assignment names to modules in your course, you can actually add multiple assignments at one time to a given module.  All you need to do is to hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard, and then click on each assignment name when selecting the assignments to add.  This should highlight all items you've selected, and then they will all be added to the bottom of your module.

There is a script that @James wrote a while back as part of his "Canvancements" (Canvas Enhancements).  This particular one might be of help and interest to you:

How to List Items Alphabetically when Adding to a Module

Finally, it almost sounds like you would like to see the workflow of assignments added to modules changed a bit.  This could be something worthy of a Feature Idea request.  However, right now I see that you are a New Member.  You'll need to "rank up" in the Community (participate more) so that you can post Feature Ideas.  Here are some documents I recommend you take a look at:

• Welcome New Members
• How do idea conversations work in the Instructure Community?
• What is the feature development process for Instructure products?
• How do I create a new idea conversation in the Instructure Community?

I hope this will help to clarify things for you.  Sing out if you have any other questions...thanks!

[MsShorter]

My understanding of what I'm trying to do is clear. The numerous Canvas support I received trying to add a Google Suite assignment and making a copy for each student from the modules page you mentioned vs. the assignment page has led to my question/inquiry. I may not have written an essay on the issue, but your Canvas representatives had difficulty assisting me with what I needed, so much so that they were the ones that gave me the link and told me to make the post, but carry on.

Thanks. 

[Chris_Hofer]

@MsShorter ...

Sorry to read that you were having difficulties with getting support.  However, I am a fellow Canvas user just like you, and I do not work for Instructure.  So, unfortunately, I don't have access to the Help Desk staff call logs to see how they were able to assist you.

You said you were trying to add an assignment for your students via the Google Suite (is this the Google LTI, by chance)?  You did not mention Google at all in your initial question, so this is new information to me.  If you are using the Google LTI for an assignment, are you wanting them to make edits/annotations to the assignment and then turn it back in to you?  Maybe I'm totally missing the boat on what you are trying to accomplish.

I re-read your original question, and I still feel that my response is accurate...in that the "Modules" screen is meant more for how you want your course structured for your students.  Though, I did take a few minutes to search for existing Feature Ideas here in the Community, and I think I've found one that seem to align with what you'd like to see as an enhancement to the workflow of assignments on the "Modules" page:

[Modules] Simplify steps to creating new assignmen... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)

This is a relatively new Feature Idea, so I would encourage you to review it and maybe provide an example or two of how the current workflow is not working for you and how it could be improved.  Instructure employees will be able to review your feedback.  You can even give that an idea a "star" rating if you want.  More details on that here: How do idea conversations work in the Instructure ... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).

Again, my apologies if I'm not quite understanding your request, but I'm hopeful this information might be of some help to you.  Thanks...and be well.

[KeishaGordon]

When you add an assignment, you are able to categorize the grade book option. It would be great to be able to categorize the module as well. Instructors can adit the Gradebook Categories, and it appears for us to manipulate the weights and names, this should also be available for modules. We are able to make our own modules. We should be able to set our modules, then when we create assignments, and assign the module the assignment should go to. 

[Chris_Hofer]

@KeishaGordon ...

Although I understand what you are saying, I'm not sure I completely agree.  Modules themselves (even if they are empty) are not something that is graded.  Assignments, on the other hand, can be placed in Assignment Groups which have the option of being weighted.  The "Modules" index page is just a way to organize all the content in your course.  The items that you put into a given module are either non-graded (example: Pages, etc.) or graded (example: quizzes, graded discussions, assignments, etc.).