Multiple user log ins question

[dabigleap]

Good Morning!

Background first.  We use Canvas extensively, but due to the nature of our courses, we do NOT use the gradebook.  Which is why I'm asking 🙂

We have user accounts that are generic, but we add real users' names so that they can sign in to a class with a familiar name (for convenience mostly).  So user1, user2, etc. and then we add logins for them like (user 1=)Joe Jones, (user2=)Mary Smith, etc.

We have a group that wants to model this, but they want to use quizzes and take grades.  So basic question.  If a user signs in with the "alias" user (Joe Jones), will the gradebook track the score based on the original username or the alias they signed in as?

[JessicaDeanSVC]

Great question! What the instructors will see in the gradebook is whatever is set as the students' Full Name, so it depends on where you are putting in that original username or alias. The Canvas guide on changing display name shows in one of the images where Full Name, Display Name, and Sortable Name are shown in Canvas. 

[mzimmerman · Accepted solution]

Hi @JessicaDeanSVC 

Can you clarify what you mean by an "alias"?

Users accounts in Canvas can have multiple logins, but there is only one name attached to the account (correction, there are actually 3: "Full Name", "Display Name", and "Sortable Name").  It is the name, not the login, that shows up in the grade book.  The grade book tracks things based on the actual user account (actually, the Canvas ID number for the user), not the login used to authenticate to Canvas.  Then, in the grade book (and elsewhere) it displays the name that is currently attached to that user account.  

[JeffW]

Hi @dabigleap,

We haven't hear from you in a while, I hope this means that you found your answer! If you are still searching please take a moment to look over the information that @mzimmerman and @JessicaDeanSVC provided as I believe that it answers your question!