Asynchronous Assessments: Creating Course Assignments

Overview

You can use Assignments to create a variety of assignments. You can embed videos, URL links, math/chemistry formulas, twitter feeds, record a desktop webcam message, and more.  Canvas also uses Turnitin, a plagiarism checking tool. There are different submission types as well, so if you had your students create a website, you can have them just submit the URL. 

 

Video Overview

This video provides an overview of the assignment tool.

 

Creating an Assignment

assignments.png
Image of assignment page in Canvas

 

  1. Click on Assignments from the course navigation.
  2. Click +Assignment at the top right corner.
  3. Complete the Assignment by entering the Name, Description, and completing the assignment settings.

 

 

  • Visit the EquatIO page to learn more about adding math and chemistry formulas quickly into course content.

 

Best Practices

  • Use the plagiarism checker when students turn in a written paper assignment
  • Use rubrics for projects, presentations, papers, etc so students understand how they are being evaluated and help ensure grading consistency.
  • Use assignment groups to organize assignments or when you are using weighted grading system.
  • Use peer reviews to give students the opportunity to critique their peers' work.
  • Give students rubrics to use to peer review and allow them to provide their own insights and questions not just those addressed in the rubric.
  • Provide guidance and resources about APA rules (international students may not be too familiar with APA). 
  • Ensure your activities are accessible ( Making your Online Course Accessible )
  • Try to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways (writing papers, creating a poster, or video).
  • Allow GA's or TA's the opportunity to grade assignments to allow for not only your but other feedback as well (you have the final say in the grade).
  • Create or upload a video as an assignment and have students reflect and connect the video to their readings, discussions, or other content. Essentially providing multiple modes of representing knowledge.
  • Use modules if you want students to proceed through course content in a sequential way.

 

Additional Resources