What are differentiation tags?
Differentiation Tags is a Canvas feature that allows instructors to create custom sets of students within a course. These sets are hidden from students and can be used for various organizational and instructional purposes.
Why would I use Differentiation Tags?
- Targeted Assignments: Easily assign homework, quizzes, or other materials to specific student tag sets using the "Assign To" feature.
- Differentiated Instruction: To provide personalized learning experiences, create tag sets based on learning styles, academic needs, or interests.
- Accommodation Tracking: Discreetly tag students who require accommodations, allowing instructors to identify and address their needs quickly.
- Streamlined Communication: Communicate with specific student tag sets through the Inbox without alerting the whole class.
- Gradebook Filtering: Filter the traditional gradebook to view and analyze the performance of specific student tag sets.
When would I use a Tag over a Section or a Group?
Since Sections are frequently connected to SIS, and making edits or creating new Sections can create downstream consequences, they’re often heavily restricted. Preventing instructors from using them. Groups, on the other hand, are inherently collaborative, always visible to students, and come with a “mini course” where students can collaborate on assignments.
Tags give instructors more flexibility in organizing their courses and managing content without interfering with SIS sync or being visible to students.
How do I enable Differentiation Tags?
A Canvas administrator will need to enable Differentiation Tags setting at the account level or sub-account level. This setting can also be locked for sub-accounts
Is there a permission for Differentiation Tags?
We created a specific permission called “Manage Differentiation Tags”, with granular permissions for Add, Delete, and Manage. This permission is on by default for the Teacher role.
How do I create a Differentiation Tag?
To create a Differentiation Tag, instructors will go to the People page in their Canvas course and click the "Manage Tags" button. Instructors will then be able to create a standalone tag or a tag set that has variants.
Can students see the tags I create?
No, Differentiation Tags are not visible to students.
Can I assign an assignment to a Differentiation Tag?
Yes! When creating or editing an assignment, use the "Assign To" dropdown menu to select a Differentiation Tag. The assignment will be assigned only to students with that tag. It is an individual assignment, not collaborative or group-based, and each tagged student must complete their own unique submission.
Does this also work for modules?
Yes, it does. Tags should be available anywhere the Assign To feature is.
Can I use Differentiation Tags to filter the gradebook?
Yes, you can filter the gradebook by Differentiation Tag to view and analyze the performance of specific student tag sets. Tags currently show under “Student Groups” in the traditional gradebook filter list.
Can I edit or delete a Differentiation Tag?
Yes, you can edit the name of a tag, remove students from it, or delete tags that are no longer needed.
What happens when I remove a student from a tag but they’ve already submitted an assignment?
The submission is no longer used in grade calculations unless the student is included in another assign to selection. We are looking into providing instructors with more options for what happens to submissions when these changes are implemented.
What are some examples of how I can use Differentiation Tags in my course?
- Create a tag for students who need extended time on assignments.
- Tag students who prefer visual learning materials.
- Tag students according to their interests for project-based learning activities.
- Identify students who might benefit from extra support or challenges.
- Use Tags to segment students for moderators/graders.
Will an API be available to set/edit differentiation tags?
Yes, API documentation will be updated closer to the release.
Will Differentiation Tags be available in Canvas Data?
Yes, there is a new column, non_collaborative, on groups and group categories which tells users if it's a tag or a regular group.
Will teachers be able to add/assign tags via a CSV upload?
This will not be supported initially, but we’re looking into supporting this feature. We understand that this feature will enable larger courses to use this feature more easily.
Are differentiation tags migrated during export/import? How will they work with course copy?
Like Collaborative Groups, Differentiation Tags will not initially be supported. We know that this creates more work for administrators over time, so we are exploring how this would work. Please share any thoughts or feedback on how your institution would expect this to work.
Can a student have more than one tag?
Students can be assigned multiple single tags and single tag variants across multiple tag sets.
Can students be assigned multiple tag variants in a single tag for differentiation tags?
This will not be initially supported. After this feature has been released, we’ll track feedback and requests for this feature and will prioritize them appropriately.
If due dates are assigned to students and multiple tags contradict, which takes priority?
The assignment with the latest due date will be prioritized when a student belongs to multiple tags or sections with different due dates for the same assignment. If there is an individual student override, that will take precedence. (everyone > section > tag > individual student override).
SIS implications for differentiation tags?
Requirements for syncing with SIS will not change. Assignments with differentiation tags would function as a differentiated assignment, just streamlining the process of adding multiple individual students manually in the assign to section now.
Will Differentiation tags work with Gradepass back?
The requirements for successful grade passback will not change. Most SIS configurations only support GPB for items assigned to: Everyone or to: A specific SIS-generated section. Assignments with differentiation tags would function as a differentiated assignment, just streamlining the process of adding multiple individual students manually in the assign to section now.
What happens if I need to disable Differentiation Tags at the account level?
Coming soon, in development! If for some reason Differentiation Tags need to be disabled at the account level admins can do so easily. Admins will be presented with a confirmation message that also informs them of what will occur in courses that have used Tags. Once disabled, Instructors will see a banner notification in their courses with an action to convert any Tag overrides (assign to) to individual student overrides. Until instructors take this action they will be unable to edit any Assign To’s. This workflow helps ensure that instructors are complying with their admins choice of disabling the feature, while having the least amount of disruption for students actively going through a course.
