Instructors can create assignments on the Assignments page or from within your Modules. Each instructor will be able to determine which way works best for them. Depending on where you create it, things might seem a bit different at first, but in the end you will end up with the same settings and tools to work with.

From the Assignment page

You can create an assignment shell, which is a placeholder for an assignment within an assignment group, or you can create an entire assignment with all the assignment details. Using either of these options will require you to add the assignment to the Module at a later time.

Canvas Guides: How do I create an assignment?.

To Create an Assignment

Locate and click the Assignment link in the course navigation.

Click the + Assignment button at the top right of the assignment page

Screenshot of the tools at the top of the Assignment page with the Add Assignment button circled.

Give the assignment a name and enter the instructions in the description area using the Rich Text Editor tools. Make the desired selections in the settings area and Save.

Screenshot of the Assignment setup page with listed options circled

OR

To Create a Assignment Shell (placeholder)

Click the + icon on the right of an existing Assignment group.

Screenshot of the assignment group area on the Assignment page with the add assignment icon circled.

The Add Assignment wizard pop up gives you the ability to create an assignment, assigning only the name, due date and points available. In essence a placeholder that you can go back to later to add instructions and other settings. There is also a More Options button in the wizard that would take you to the settings page to add the instructions and settings. When finished, click the Save button.

Screenshot of the Add Assignment wizard with the listed items circled.

From the Module

Locate the Module you want the assignment in, select the + icon from the top right of the Module name. This method allow you to add existing content (assignment, discussion, quiz, page, etc.) or create a new assignment (or any other activity or page) right in the Module, allowing you to later go in and add the instructions and desired settings.

Screenshot of the Module with the Add button circled

Ensure the Add drop down option is set to Assignment (or other activity type), click the Create Assignment option from the list, add the Assignment Name and the click the Add item button.

Screenshot of the Add Item to Module wizard with the options to create and assignment circled

Setting Due Dates and Assigning Assignments to students

Understanding Due Dates and the Availability Period

Assign Canvas Activities/Assignments to Students

More Information on Options available in Canvas

Canvas Guides: What assignment types can I create in a course?

Canvas Guides: How Do I create an Online Assignment?

Canvas Guides: How Do I create Peer Review Assignment?

Canvas Guides: Everything you can do with Assignments

Assignment Groups

Canvas Guides: How do I create rules for an assignment Group?

Once you have added assignments to your assignment group, you can create rules for the entire assignment group. Assignment group rules determine how Canvas handles any exceptions you want to create for grade calculations. Assignment groups can be weighted or unweighted.