To make an assignment available to students in Canvas so a student can submit a file for feedback and marking, you need to first create the assignment and then add it to a unit in Canvas.

To create an assignment in Canvas, complete the following.

  1. From your module side menu, click Assignments.
  2. Click +Assignment in the top-right of the screen to create a new assignment. This will give you the option to define the details for your new assignment.
  3. The main details which you should add for your assignment are:
  • Assignment name: Give your assignment a title (e.g. “Week 3 assignment”)
  • Assignment description: Use the Rich Content Editor (RCE) to add images, text, links, equations, or insert media to explain the assignment to your students (e.g. "For this assignment, you will be required to write a report on…”)
  • Point: Enter the number of points for your assignment (It is recommended, for marking purposes, to set this field to 100 points for any and all assignments. Weightings can be added afterwards)
  • Submission type:
    • No Submission is for when you do not want students to submit an assignment in Canvas. Please note that you will still be able to give grades to students in Canvas.
    • Online is for when you want students to submit their assignments using Canvas. If you select “Online”, you can decide how you want them to submit online (In general, it is recommended you use “File Upload” for online submissions and have students upload a PPT/ PDF/ Microsoft word document, etc.):
      • Text Entry: Students can type their assignment entry directly into the Rich Content Editor.
      • Website URLs : Students can submit a URL that fulfils the assignment.
      • Media Recordings: Students can submit an audio or video recording that fulfils the assignment. They can either record new media or upload existing media.
      • File Uploads: Students can upload a file to fulfil the assignment.
    • On Paper is for when you want students to submit an assignment to you but not through Canvas. This assignment type may apply if you want students to give you a traditional printed document, or to do a face-to-face presentation. Please note that you will still be able to give students a grade via canvas.
    • External Tool is when you want students to submit their assignments using an external app (LTI) enabled for your course.
  • Assign to: This identifies which students in the course may submit against this assignment. By default, this should be set to “Everyone”. This feature is useful if you have a cross-listed course, in which case, you may assign an assignment against a specific group of students. 
  • Due: This is the deadline (date and time) for the student. They can still submit after this date, but all submissions will be identified as “Late”.


Note: It is recommended that all other Assignment settings be left blank.

Note: Submission type can be changed, after an assignment has been created, if there has been no submissions to the assignment.