Using the same assignment in two different modules

[WillYurman]

Hi,

I'm using a Canvas class from another teacher and notice that the same assignment is used across more than one module.

So that if I edit one, it changes the other. But I don't know how they did it!

How can I copy or duplicate or link (not sure of the terminology) multiple copies of the same assignment so I can update it once and have those changes populate each copy?

thanks!

Will

[SusanNiemeyer · Accepted solution]

An Assignment can exist in different Modules. :For example, let's say that "Assignment A" will take two weeks. The instructor could put Assignment A in both the Week 1 and Week 2 Modules. It's just ONE ASSIGNMENT that appears in two different places. Therefore, if the instructor is in the Week 1 Module and makes a change to "Assignment A," that change will appear in the Week 2 Module.  Again, it's just one assignment.

Now, some instructors want students to do multiple assignments that follow the same format (e.g. Week 1 Reading Log, Week 2 Reading Log, Week 3 Reading Log.....) These will be DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENTS. Yes, they will follow the same format, but the Week 1 Reading Log will be housed in the Week 1 Module; the Week 2 Reading Log in the Week 2 Module, and so on.  Making a change to the Week 1 Reading Log will not affect the Week 2 Reading Log because these are different assignments.

If you want to set up multiple assignments that follow the same format, create your Week 1 Reading Log. Then duplicate the Week 1 Reading Log, but rename the new one the "Week 2 Reading Log." Now you will have two separate assignments.

[Chris_Hofer]

@WillYurman ...

The response from @SusanNiemeyer is spot-on!  I'll just add that when Susan mentions in her first paragraph that it's just one assignment in two different modules...you can confirm this yourself by going to your "Assignments" index page of your course.  On this screen, normally when an assignment is assigned to a module, the name of the module will be listed in small gray lettering underneath the assignment name...along with the possible points for the assignment.  When an assignment has been added to more than one module, then that gray text changes to a blue link, and you can hover over the blue text to see a small pop-up that indicates which modules the assignment is located in.  Here's an example from my own sandbox course:

As you can see, my "Talk Like a Pirate Assignment" is assigned to Learning Plans 1 and 2.  My assignment called "The Color Quiz" is only assigned to the module called "MasteryPaths Module".

I hope this extra bit of information will be helpful to you!