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Course Assignment Types

Canvas Spotlight logo next to an illustration of a spotlight shining on the words 'Assignment Types

What assignment types can I create in a course? 

An Assignment type of content in Canvas refers to an assignment that can be submitted online through text entry, file uploads, media recordings, external tools, URLs, or Canvas pages. Assignment content types include assignments, discussions, and quizzes.

Assignment types of content:

  • can be graded or ungraded;
  • can be evaluated with rubrics and aligned with outcomes;
  • can automatically create a new gradebook column (except not graded) 

 
Assignment options when creating a new assignment:

Grade Display Options Submission Type Options Differentiation Options
  • Points
  • Percentage
  • Complete/Incomplete
  • Letter Grade
  • GPA Scale (select in settings)
  • No Submission (e.g. extra credit)
  • Online Submission (e.g. upload file, text, URL, or video)
  • On Paper (e.g. submitted on paper in class)
  • External Tool (e.g. LTI or 3rd party app, textbook, etc.)
  • Group Assignment
  • Assign To
  • Due Date
  • Availability Dates

  

What's the difference between an Assignment, Discussion, and Quiz type of content? 

The main difference between an assignment, discussion, and quiz is the type of content they assess.

  • Assignment
    Can be used to assess a student's understanding or competency through a variety of media, such as online submissions, quizzes, or graded discussions. Assignments can also be used to track attendance or participation, or to link to an external tool or 3rd party app. 
  • Discussion
    Grades student responses to discussion topics. Discussions can be used for a variety of purposes, such as sharing resources, answering questions, or clarifying course policies. 
  • Quiz
    Assesses a student's comprehension of course content through questions worth points. Quizzes can also be used to conduct a survey. 

Assignments

An Assignment is a Canvas assignment that can be submitted online through text entry, file uploads, media recordings, external tools, URLs, or Canvas pages. 

Assignment content types appear on the Assignments Index Page, the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only). Not Graded assignments may include a due date, however points or grades are not given for completing the assignment. Assignments can be assigned to individual students, groups, or sections.

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Discussions

A Discussion is a Canvas assignment that will grade student response to discussion topics. This assignment will appear on the Assignment Index Page (graded only), the Discussions Index Page, the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only).

Discussions can be assigned to individual students, groups, or sections.

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Quizzes

 A Quiz is a Canvas assignment that can be used to assess a student's comprehension of course content. This assignment will appear on the Assignments Index Page (graded only), the Quizzes Index Page, the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only).

Quizzes can be assigned to individual students or sections; they cannot be assigned to groups. Quizzes can be created using the Classic or New Quizzes format.

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What else should I know about assignments? 

Have questions about Canvas assignments? 

Join our weekly Teach Anywhere office hours during the semester or email ilc@tulane.edu. 

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