Choose the Right Supported Tool to Add Content and Activities in Canvas

Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Choose a Tool for Canvas Content | Troubleshooting | Next Steps |

Introduction

Canvas is the primary place where students access course materials, activities, assignments, grades, and course communications. However, not every type of content should be uploaded or created directly in Canvas.

Selecting the appropriate Chico State-supported academic technology tool can improve accessibility, course performance, media playback, grading workflows, and long-term course organization. Start by identifying what students need to do with the content or activity, then select the supported tool designed for that purpose.

Prerequisites

Before choosing a tool, you must:

1. Have instructor access to the Canvas course.
2. Know what students need to do with the content or activity.
3. Know whether the activity must connect to the Canvas Gradebook.
4. Confirm that the tool is included in the Academic Technology Supported Applications list.

Choose a Tool for Canvas Content

There are several tools available for adding content and activities to Canvas. The appropriate tool depends on whether students need to read, watch, collaborate, submit work, communicate, or participate in an activity.

Identify What Students Need to Do

To identify the appropriate tool, do the following:

1. Determine the primary action students must complete. For example, students may need to watch a video, submit an assignment, collaborate on a document, or participate in a live session.
2. Determine whether the activity must connect to the Canvas Gradebook.
3. Determine whether students will complete the activity individually, collaboratively, synchronously, or asynchronously.
4. Use the tool map below to identify the supported option that best matches the activity.
5. Review the tool’s related knowledge base articles before adding it to the course.

Choose a Supported Tool

If you have or need...	Use this tool	Why
Course content that needs accessibility review	Ally	Ally identifies accessibility issues in Canvas course content and provides guidance for improvement.
Publisher courseware, textbook activities, or homework systems	Approved publisher integrations	Use an approved Canvas publisher integration. Review the Academic Technology Supported Applications list before adding or requesting a tool.
A graded assignment students submit online	Canvas Assignments	Canvas Assignments connect directly to the Gradebook and support due dates, submission types, rubrics, and SpeedGrader.
A discussion, reflection, or class conversation	Canvas Discussions	Canvas Discussions support asynchronous student interaction within the course.
Instructional content students should read online	Canvas Pages	Canvas Pages allow students to read content directly in Canvas and are easier to update and organize in Modules.
A syllabus, worksheet, reading, or other downloadable document	Canvas Files	Canvas Files allow students to download documents. Review each file for accessibility before publishing it.
A collaborative Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide activity	Google Workspace or Google Assignments	Supported Google integrations allow students to collaborate, submit Google files, and work in shared documents.
Handwritten work, exams, problem sets, or code grading	Gradescope	Gradescope supports grading workflows for handwritten assignments, exams, problem sets, and some code-based work.
A video file, lecture recording, screen recording, or narrated presentation	Kaltura	Kaltura supports uploading, managing, captioning, streaming, and embedding instructional videos in Canvas. Avoid uploading full MP4 files directly to Canvas.
A recorded Zoom session students need to watch later	Kaltura	Zoom supports live meetings. Kaltura is the supported location for managing and sharing instructional recordings after a session.
A YouTube video students need to watch	Kaltura or a Canvas embed	You can add supported YouTube videos to Kaltura so they can be embedded and managed alongside other course media. You can also embed an approved video directly in Canvas.
Collaborative annotation of readings	Perusall	Perusall supports social annotation and reading-based discussions.
Polling, comprehension checks, feedback, or live engagement	Poll Everywhere	Poll Everywhere supports synchronous and asynchronous polling for engagement and feedback. Consult current Poll Everywhere guidance before using polling data for attendance.
Real-time course chat or informal student communication	Pronto	Pronto provides real-time messaging connected to Canvas.
Course cleanup, unused files, or old content review	TidyUP	TidyUP identifies unused files and pages so courses remain organized and easier to maintain.
A writing assignment that needs similarity checking	Turnitin Similarity Reports	Turnitin provides similarity checking for student writing submissions.
A live online class session, virtual office hours, or an online guest speaker	Zoom	Zoom is Chico State’s supported video conferencing platform and integrates with Canvas for course meetings.

 

Follow Canvas Content Guidelines

To keep course content accessible, organized, and reliable, follow these recommendations:

1. Use Kaltura for video files. Do not upload large MP4 files directly to Canvas. Kaltura is designed for streaming video, managing captions, embedding media, and tracking engagement. Uploading large videos directly to Canvas can cause playback, accessibility, and storage issues.
2. Use Canvas Pages for instructional content students should read online. Pages are easier to update, organize in Modules, and access from different devices than downloadable documents.
3. Use Canvas Files when students need to download a document. Review documents for accessibility before publishing them.
4. Use Canvas Assignments when students submit work for grading. Assignments keep due dates, submissions, rubrics, SpeedGrader, and Gradebook activity connected.
5. Use approved tools already supported by Chico State. Supported tools have been reviewed for security, accessibility, data privacy, and Canvas compatibility.
6. Review the Academic Technology Supported Applications list before planning an activity around an external tool.
7. Request new Canvas integrations before building the course activity. New tools must complete a review and approval process, and approval is not guaranteed. Requests should be submitted at least one semester before the tool is needed.

After selecting the appropriate tool, add or configure the content using the tool’s related setup instructions. Students will then be able to access or complete the activity through the supported course workflow.

Troubleshooting

The Tool Is Not Listed as Supported

Do not build a required course activity around an unsupported tool. Review theAcademic Technology Supported Applications list for an approved tool that meets the same instructional need.

When no supported option meets the instructional need, contact the Technology and Learning Program before adopting the tool. New integrations require security, accessibility, privacy, and compatibility review.

The Tool Does Not Appear in Canvas

Some tools must be enabled at the course or assignment level.  Review the Add External Tools/LTI Tools to Canvas article for setup instructions. If the tool should be available but does not appear, contact the Technology and Learning Program and include:

1. The Canvas course name and URL.
2. The name of the tool.
3. Where you expected the tool to appear.
4. A screenshot of the course page or menu.

Students Cannot Access the Content

Confirm that the item is published and available in the appropriate Canvas Module. Also verify that availability dates, prerequisites, and module requirements are not preventing access. For external tools, confirm that the activity was created through the supported Canvas integration rather than by copying a direct external link.

 

Next Steps (Optional)

Faculty can contact the Technology and Learning Program for help selecting a supported tool for course content, activities, or instructional goals.