Effective July 20, 2024
Starting July 20, 2024, Canvas is changing where the "Assign To" option appears for instructors, TAs, designers, and other roles that can create learning activities. Canvas also adds the "Assign To" functionality in areas of a course where it was previously unavailable, such as Modules, Pages, and ungraded Discussions. The "Assign To" settings allow users to assign learning activities to everyone, specific students, or sections and control due dates, availability dates, and until dates.
- What Changed?
- What Does This Change Look Like?
- Guidance and Troubleshooting Tips
- Why Did Canvas Make This Change?
What Changed?
- The "Manage Assign To" link replaces the traditional location of the "Assign To" settings.
- The "Assign To" tray replaces the traditional "Assign To" cards.
- Learning activities now have an "Assign To" shortcut button at the top.
- Module items now have an "Assign To" shortcut.
- Modules, Pages, and ungraded Discussions now have "Assign To" settings.
- Banner IDs now appear when assigning specific students to learning activities.
What Does This Change Look Like?
"Manage Assign To" Link:
The "Assign Access: Manage Assign To" link replaces the traditional location of the "Assign To" card when editing assignments or quizzes. If ignored, it defaults to "Everyone" in the course, excluding due and availability dates
- When creating or editing a learning activity, click the "Manage Assign To" link to access the settings.
"Assign To" Tray:
The "Assign To" tray includes all functionalities of the previous "Assign To" cards.
- Slides out from the right side of the screen, reducing the number of clicks and scrolling. Click the "Apply" button to save your settings.
"Assign To" Shortcut Button:
To provide instructors with a quick and easy way to access, view, and change "Assign To" settings, the "Assign To" button has been prominently placed at the top of all learning activities (Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes). Instructors no longer need to edit the learning activity to adjust these settings.
- Appears at the top of all learning activities (Assignments, Discussions, Pages, and Quizzes).
- Clicking it opens the "Assign To" tray.
Modules and Module Items:
By default, module items created in Modules are assigned to everyone in the course. However, instructors no longer need to open and edit each module item to change the "Assign To" settings.
- Click the item's "Three Dot Menu" icon and click the "Assign To" link to make changes.
While modules are still assigned to everyone in the course by default, you can now assign modules to specific students and sections.
- To do this, click the "Three Dot Menu" icon on the module title, then click the "Assign To" link.
On the "Assign To" tab, instructors can set the module visibility to "Everyone" or assign it to specific students.
- In the "Assign To" field, instructors can select students or sections using the drop-down menu or by typing student names, Banner IDs, or section names.
A "View Assign To" icon on the module title allows instructors to identify differentiated modules while scanning the modules page quickly.
Pages:
By default, Canvas pages are still assigned to everyone in the course, but the "Manage to Assign To" link in Pages allows assigning pages to specific students and/or sections and settings available from/until dates. Pages still use the "add to student-to-do" option, which can act like a due date.
- To access these settings when editing or creating a page, click the "Manage Assign To" link.
Instructors can differentiate pages and manage availability dates in the "Assign To" tray.
- Click the "Apply" button to save the settings.
Ungraded Discussions:
The “Manage Assign To” link in ungraded Discussions allows assigning discussions to specific students and/or sections and settings available from/until dates. Ungraded Discussions still use the “add to student-to-do” option, acting like a due date. Group discussions use the “Group Discussion” option on the edit discussion page to select groups, while the “Assign To” settings do not include a group selection option. Graded Discussions use the full functionality of the “Assign To” settings, including due dates.
- To access these settings when editing or creating an ungraded discussion, click the "Manage Assign To" link.
- Click the “Apply” button to save the settings.
Banner IDs:
- Student Banner IDs now appear when assigning specific students to learning activities.
Guidance and Troubleshooting Tips
How do I save changes after making adjustments?
- Always click "Save" or "Apply" to save changes on the bottom of the pop-out tray. This ensures that your adjustments are recorded and implemented.
- Additionally, if the "Manage Assign To" link is used to enter or adjust settings and the instructor closes the "Assign To" tray without applying the changes, a "Pending Changes" pill icon will appear next to the "Manage Assign To" link. This icon serves as a visual reminder that changes have not been saved. The instructor must click the "Save" button on the learning activity's edit page to preserve all modifications.
What happens if I ignore the "Manage Assign To" settings?
If you ignore the "Manage Assign To" settings when creating learning activities, the system defaults to "Everyone" without due dates. This means all students will have access to the content without specific deadlines.
How do due dates work on pages and ungraded discussions?
Pages and ungraded Discussions still use the “add to student-to-do” option that acts like a due date. The “Manage Assign To” link for these activities only provides options to assign specific students and/or sections and set available from/until dates.
How are specific assignment settings within modules respected?
Any specific 'assign to' item settings will be respected when you assign a module. For instance:
- If Module A is assigned to Course Section 1, but Item X within Module A is not assigned to Course Section 1, then Course Section 1 cannot view Item X. In other words, Course Section 1 can see Module A and all its items except for Item X.
Best Practices:
- Saving Changes: Always click "Save" or "Apply" to confirm your settings.
- Assign To Settings: Regularly check your 'Manage Assign To' settings to ensure they are correctly configured to avoid default settings.
- Due Dates: Use the 'Add to Student To-Do' option for pages and ungraded discussions to help students keep track of their tasks.
- Module Assignments: Double-check the 'assign to' settings for individual items within modules to ensure the correct students or sections have access.
Why Did Canvas Make This Change?
Canvas aims to solve existing course design problems and introduce new possibilities.
Key benefits include:
- Assign alternate curriculum versions based on learning needs.
- Provide granular control over access and availability.
- Increase learner choice and flexibility.
- Achieve learning outcomes through personalized support and practice.
- Cater to advanced learners and allow them to move ahead.
- Efficiently slot mid-year joiners into the right place in the course.
- Update content for rolling enrollment courses.