Create a Google Assignment in Canvas

Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting | Next Steps |

Google Assignments allows instructors to distribute Google Drive templates, collect student work, use originality reports, and grade submissions through either Google Assignments or Canvas SpeedGrader.

Prerequisites

  • Instructor access to a Canvas course.
  • An active Chico State Google Workspace account.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To create a Google assignment in Canvas, do the following:

Create the Assignment

  1. Sign in to Canvas and open your course.
  2. From the course navigation menu, select Assignments
  3. Select + Assignment.
  4. Enter the assignment name and instructions.
  5. Optional: Enter the point value and due date.

Note: Canvas sends the assignment’s point value and a single shared due date to Google Assignments. Zero-point assignments are treated as ungraded, decimal point values are rounded down, and assignments with multiple due dates do not receive a due date in Google Assignments.

Configure Google Assignments

  1. Under Submission Type, select External Tool.
  2. Select Find.
  3. Select Google Assignments (LTI 1.3).
  4. Follow the prompts to sign in with and link your Chico State Google account.
    If another Google account appears, select Switch account and use your Chico State account.
  5. Optional: Turn on Originality reports.
  6. Optional: Select Attach to add a template or worksheet.
    Google Assignments creates an individual copy for each student and automatically manages sharing permissions of the source file.

Choose a Grading Tool

Choose where you want to grade student work:

Google Assignments

Use Google’s grading interface, comments, rubrics, and related feedback tools. Student editing is restricted while the work is being graded.

Use Google’s grading interface, comments, rubrics, and related feedback tools. Student editing is restricted while the work is being graded.

To add a rubric, select Add, and then select Create rubric.

Canvas SpeedGrader

Send submitted files to Canvas and grade them in SpeedGrader. Students retain ownership of their files.

 Important: Select the grading tool you intend to use before students begin submitting. Google Assignments and Canvas SpeedGrader handle files, revisions, and feedback differently.

Save the Assignment

  1. Select Create.
  2. In the Canvas external-tool window, select Select.
  3. Select Save or Save & Publish.

Troubleshooting

  • Cannot link the Google account: Confirm that you are signing in with your Chico State Google account rather than a personal account. If multiple Google accounts are open, select Switch account.
  • Linking window does not open or repeatedly fails: Browser privacy settings may be blocking third-party cookies. Try opening the assignment in a new window or temporarily allowing the required cross-site access.
  • Students cannot see the assignment: Confirm that the Canvas assignment and any module containing it are published.
  • Copied assignment displays an error: Confirm that the assignment uses Google Assignments LTI 1.3 and that the original assignment and attached files have not been deleted or substantially altered.
  • Grades do not appear in Canvas: Confirm that the assignment was created through the Google Assignments external tool and that grading was completed and returned through the selected grading workflow. Contact TLP if grades still do not pass back.

Next Steps

Still need help? Reach out to the Technology & Learning Program for further assistance.

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