Set up main content + choose your own additional content

[rebecca_lundwal]

I have main content (everyone needs to do these things) and then students are required to choose one of two options for some additional content. The additional content has points (quizzes and a one-page paper). Point total are equal for both options. How do I set this up in Canvas?

[Chris_Hofer]

Hello @rebecca_lundwal ...

I'm not sure if this is still possible, but I'll provide some directions that I got from @kona a few years ago...so hopefully they are still accurate, Kona???

Create two assignments in your course like normal [Assignments Overview (Instructors) video]. You can place these two assignments in their own Assignment Group (How do I add an assignment group in a course?), but you don't have to. When it comes time to grade either of the submitted assignments, don't put a grade in for the assignment that the students didn't do. As long as the grade is left blank (no zero) then it doesn't count against the student. ANY assignment that is left blank for the grade (no zero or other score entered in) will NOT be counted against the student. This is why it is so important to put zeros in for assignments that the students should have submitted, but didn't. If you don't put the zero in, then the assignment doesn't count against the student, and their grade looks much higher than it really is.

As an alternate solution, instead of leaving the grade blank, you can use EX (excused). This way, both you and your student know for sure that the grade is excused and shouldn't be marked as a zero.

[kona]

Yep, that still works. You could technically use Mastery Paths, but I think that would be overkill. 🙂

[rebecca_lundwal]

Thank you so much. Learning how to use Canvas in so short a time has been overwhelming, but I think I've got it.