Somehow automatically link Observers to Students?

[sjones11]

I hope this question is comprehendible! 

Is it possible to take the guardian info from the SIS and somehow make that guardian the observer for a student?  This way, all students have a guardian linked right from the start? 

We are finding that there is low participation in people becoming observers and one idea to increase that was for us to do it for them.  Has anyone done this?  Any downsides?  

Thanks!

[dbrace · Accepted solution]

That is correct, @sjones11.

It involves data extracts from systems used by your institution before involving Canvas (such as, extracting data that shows who are parents/guardians of a student/child) but then using steps that do involve using Canvas (such as, taking a parent Canvas user account and "pairing it" for observation purposes with a student user account).

-Doug

[BrianLester]

Yes, using the API you could do this...  a bit of coding involved...

[sjones11]

Thank you.  So its more of a custom process rather than something to 'turn on' within Canvas.

[dbrace · Accepted solution]

That is correct, @sjones11.

It involves data extracts from systems used by your institution before involving Canvas (such as, extracting data that shows who are parents/guardians of a student/child) but then using steps that do involve using Canvas (such as, taking a parent Canvas user account and "pairing it" for observation purposes with a student user account).

-Doug

[sjones11]

Thanks for the tips!  That's a bit over my head but I'll pass it along to the data person!

[Hildi_Pardo · Accepted solution]

Does this help?   https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-LMS-Blog/Generating-Parent-Observer-accounts-from-the-SIS/...

[sjones11]

Thank you very much!  It just might!