How can I drop assignments with the lowest and/or highest scores from grade calculations?

In Canvas, you can create rules for assignment groups, such as a rule to drop the lowest and/or highest scores from grade calculations. To create a rule for an assignment group, navigate to Assignments in the course menu. Click on the Assignment Group Settings drop-down menu and select Edit. From here you can drop assignments with the lowest and/or highest grades. This link describes how to set the rules to suit your preferences: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2626.

Can I prevent Canvas from dropping specific assignments from grade calculations?

You can use the assignment group rules to prevent Canvas from dropping specific assignments. To access the assignment group rules, navigate to Assignments in the course menu. Click the Settings icon next to the assignment group and select Edit. Then, click “Add an assignment” to select which assignment should be excluded from being dropped. This link provides step-by-step instructions: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2626.

Can I create a new gradebook column in Canvas?

You cannot create a new gradebook column directly from the Gradebook in Canvas: all gradebook columns must have a corresponding assignment in Canvas. If you want to create a column in which you can record scores from manual grading, you can create a No Submission or On Paper assignment. Navigate to Assignments in the course menu and click +Assignment. Then, in the Submission Type drop-down menu, select No Submission or On Paper. For more information, visit https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-4272.

Can I import items and upload changes to the Canvas gradebook?

You can use a CSV file to upload changes to the Gradebook. You can upload information for existing assignments, or you can also use a CSV file to create new assignments in the Gradebook. New assignments will automatically be published in your course. If you do not know how to save a file in a CSV format, please check the documentation for the program you are using to create your Gradebook changes (e.g., Excel). If you don’t want to create a new CSV file, you can always download the CSV from Canvas, change it, and re-upload the same file and the changes you made will appear in Canvas once you re-upload the CSV file. For more information on importing items into the Canvas gradebook, visit https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55013-how-do-i-upload-changes-to-the-gradebook.

Can I download/export the Canvas gradebook?

You can export scores from the Gradebook and download them to your computer as a CSV file. At the time of export, the CSV file data matches the current filter(s) and settings shown in the Gradebook. For more information on downloading and exporting the Canvas gradebook, visit https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55012-how-do-i-download-scores-from-the-gradebook.

How do Announcements work in Canvas?

Navigate to Announcements in the course menu, and then click on +Announcement to create and post an announcement. Students will be notified about the announcement based on their individual Notification Preferences. This link describes how Announcements work in Canvas: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-4131#jive_content_id_Announcements.

How can I send a message to students in Canvas?

To send messages to students in Canvas, you can use Canvas’s Conversations tool (labeled Inbox). You can send messages to your entire class or to specific individuals. To access the Conversations tool, click on Inbox in the Global Navigation menu (the purple menu on the far left-hand side). For more information, visit https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-4131#jive_content_id_Conversations.

Is there a way for students to sign up for conferences or appointments with Canvas?

Yes. Canvas’s Scheduler tool allows you to create appointment groups within a course or group. Students can then sign up for a time slot. You can elect to allow individuals or groups to sign up for appointments. For more details on how to use Scheduler to set up meeting times, visit https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2640 .