Test Assignment Uploads with a TA in Canvas and Gradescope

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

Instructors may want to verify that assignment upload workflows are working correctly before students submit real work in Canvas and Gradescope. Testing submissions can help catch issues with roster sync, assignment setup, or TA permissions before they impact grading. This article walks instructors through the process of testing assignment uploads with a TA, using real or dummy student ac

Prerequisites

• You are listed as an Instructor in the Canvas course.
• Your TA has a valid Chico State email address or another email you can enroll.
• Your course is connected to Gradescope via the Canvas integration.
• You have permission to add and manage users in your Canvas course.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To test assignment uploads with a TA in Canvas and Gradescope, do the following:

1. Add the TA in Canvas

1. Go to your Canvas course (sandbox, prep to practise)
2. Select People from the course menu.
3. Select + People.
4. Enter the TA’s email address and assign them the TA role.
5. Select Next, then Add Users.

2. Sync the roster into Gradescope

1. In the Canvas course, select Gradescope from the left navigation (this will launch the Gradescope LTI).
2. In Gradescope, go to Course Settings → Sync Roster.
3. Confirm that your TA appears in the Gradescope roster with the TA role.

3. Create a test assignment

1. In Gradescope, go to the course and select Assignments.
2. Select Create Assignment.
3. Choose any type of assignment (Homework, Exam, Online Assignment, etc.).
4. Give it a simple title like Test Upload Assignment.
5. (Optional) In Canvas, create a matching assignment to see how Gradescope links to it.
   1. Note: Due dates do not sync between Canvas and Gradescope.

4. Test uploading as a TA

TAs cannot submit work in Gradescope as themselves by default. Use one of the following methods:

Option A: Add a test student account

1. In Canvas, go to Settings → Sections.
2. Select + Add Student.
3. Enroll a test email address (this can be a real or dummy account).
4. Sync the roster again in Gradescope.
5. Confirm the test student appears in Gradescope.
6. Have your TA log in using the test account to submit a sample assignment.

Option B: Temporarily change TA's role to student

1. In Canvas, edit the TA’s role from TA to Student.
2. Re-sync the roster in Gradescope.
3. The TA will now appear as a student and can upload work.
4. After testing, revert their role to TA in Canvas and re-sync Gradescope.

Option C: Use Canvas Student View (limited)

1. In Canvas, go to Settings and select Student View.
2. This lets you preview the Canvas course as a student.
   • Note: This does not allow you to test uploads in Gradescope.

5. Review TA permissions

• In Gradescope, TAs can:

  • Grade student submissions
  • Edit rubrics
  • Regrade assignments

• TAs cannot:

  • Submit work on behalf of students unless they are also listed as a student in the Gradescope roster (as in Option A or B above)

Troubleshooting

• If your TA is not appearing in Gradescope, double-check that the Canvas role is correctly set and re-sync the roster.
• If assignment links between Canvas and Gradescope aren’t showing, ensure both systems have assignments created and that you're using the same LTI integration.
• For more help, see Sync Your Canvas Roster in Gradescope.

Next Steps (Optional)