Use Assignments with Canvas

Assignments makes Google Docs and Google Drive compatible with Canvas for file submissions. With Assignments, you can save time distributing and grading student work. You can also check the authenticity of student submissions with originality reports.

Note: If your school uses the Canvas Google Apps LTI tool (also referred to as Google Cloud Assignment), we recommend that you install Assignments. Canvas will deprecate the Google Apps LTI tool in September 2021 and Assignments is intended to replace it.

How does Assignments improve on Google Apps LTI?

  • Assignments is officially supported by Google and covered by the G Suite for Education Terms of Service.
  • Administrators can require students to use their school-issued Google Accounts.
  • Assignments uses Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) 1.3 for more robust security. 
  • Assignments is more stable and reliable.  

Assignments includes all the features of the Google Apps LTI tool, except Canvas Collaborations. This feature is coming soon.

How can I use Assignments and Drive in Canvas?

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Use Assignments as an external tool for assignments
  1. Create a new Canvas assignment.
  2. Next to Submission Type, select External Tool.
  3. Click Find and choose Google Assignments. 
Allow students to submit Drive files and grade them with SpeedGrader

You can use SpeedGrader to grade students’ Drive files. However, you won’t be able to use the features included in Assignments. For details, go to Use SpeedGrader with Drive files in Canvas.

Embed Drive files with the rich text editor
A known issue affects embedding files that are in shared drives. Learn more
In the Canvas rich text editor, you can embed a Google Drive file into announcements, assignments, or posts. You can share any file in Drive, including documents, spreadsheets, slides, PDFs, videos, and images. Assignments automatically sets all file permissions.
 
Anyone in the class can view the embedded class materials, including class observers, such as parents, without needing to sign in with a Google Account.
 
To embed files with the rich text editor:
  1. In the rich text editor, on the right, click the Apps icon.
  2. Click Google Driveand thenSelect File.
  3. Find the file and click Addand thenAttach. 
Add Drive files to Modules
You can use Google Drive as an external tool source for Module content. Students can open the files and work on their own copy. 

Add a Drive file to a Module
  1. Sign in to Canvas.
  2. Open the course.
  3. Click Modulesand thenAdd Item "".
    Click Add Item
  4. Next to Add, click the Down arrow ""and thenExternal Tool.
    Select External Tool
  5. Click Google Drive.
    Select Google Drive
  6. Sign in to your Google Accountand thenclick Allow.
  7. Click Select fileand thenselect the Google Drive fileand thenAdd.
  8. Click Attachand thenAdd Item.

FAQ

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If my organization uses Google Apps LTI, can we also use Assignments?

Yes. Both Assignments and the Google Apps LTI tool can be installed simultaneously. However, instructors and students will see duplicate options if both tools are available in the same course.

For information on how to hide the Google Apps LTI tool, contact Canvas support or refer to this community forum post.

Does my organization need G Suite for Education to use Assignments?
Yes. To use Assignments, your organization needs G Suite for Education, which is free for educational institutions. Learn how to sign up for G Suite for Education. 
Can I embed a form from Google Forms or Forms quiz?

No. Currently, you can’t embed a form or select one as a file type for quizzes. To use Forms for quizzes, create a form and share the link with your students. Learn how to create a Google Form.

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