Why are PowerPoint download files locked for students? I made them available in the class, but when a student tries to download them, it just says they are locked and won't let them download or view them. I looked in the settings and I didn't see anywhere where you could lock/unlock a file.
Hi John Scott 
The most likely reason would have been that the modules your slideshows were in, were not published. How do I use Draft State in Modules?
This is often a challenge for new Canvas users - content in the modules must be published and the modules themselves mu be published.
I hope this helps,
Kelley
Everything was and is published.
I deleted all the PowerPoint module units (one for each chapter) and put them all in one unit. For some reason, this worked and the files are all unlocked in Student View now. Not sure why they were locked in the first place ... but at least the students can get the PowerPoints now.