This article includes example instructions for an online course assignment using a Website URL submission or a Text Entry Google Doc submission. These are examples only. They are not meant to address every potential scenario for assignment submissions. Feel free to use them as a guide and edit them for your own course needs. If your course is a part of a fully online program, please refer to the program specifications and activity directions.
Uses
When students are asked to submit a Google Document or Sheet for an assignment, there are multiple Submission Types to choose from when setting up the assignment in Canvas for a fully online course. After testing the different submission types available, eCampus Center recommends using either the Website URL or the Text Entry submission types.
These options are best for situations when:
Files being submitted are in a shared Google folder.
The instructor wants to provide inline feedback that will stay with the student’s work versus being stored in Canvas. Also, refer to Grade a Google Doc using SpeedGrader from Canvas Community.
Students will be peer reviewing each others’ work providing inline feedback and suggested edits.
Students will be returning to the document to:
Update for revised submissions
Add new content (e.g. journals with multiple entries)
Reference for future assignments, study guides, or professional application
Website URL | Text Entry | |
|---|---|---|
Space available for additional text comments from students to accompany a submission. | ✔ | ✔ |
Students can paste the URL in the space provided, and Canvas will automatically convert to functional hyperlink. | ✔ | |
Full functionality of Speedgrader. | ✔ | |
Cautions | ||
Students must have properly shared the Google file so someone with the link can either:
| ✔ | ✔ |
Students can see additional submission options (Google Drive and Google Drive (LTI 1.3)), which may be confusing to the student or complicate grading and feedback functions for the instructor. | ✔ | ✔ |
Student Instructions
Website URL Submission
This option is best when the document is the primary part of the assignment with little or no additional comments or text accompanying the submission. Additional comments are limited to plain text.
To submit the assignment, do the following:
Click the button above to begin your assignment submission, and verify the “Website URL” tab is selected (shaded in green in the image below).
Copy the Share link of your Google document.
Click Share at the top of the open document.
In the dialog box’s “Get Link” section, click Change, then select “Anyone with the link” from the drop-down menu on the left and “Commenter” on the right.
Click Copy link, then click Done to save these settings.
Paste the link you just copied in the “Website URL” space below.
Click Submit Assignment to complete this submission.
Text Entry Submission
This option is best when the student is required to provide added explanations, comments, or responses to prompts in addition to sharing the document. The text entry provides a more substantial editor for the accompanying content.
To submit the assignment, do the following:
Click the button above to begin your assignment submission above.
Copy the Share link of your Google document.
Click Share at the top of the open document.
In the dialog box’s “Get Link” section, click Change, then select “Anyone with the link” from the drop-down menu on the left and “Commenter” on the right.
Click Copy link, then click Done to save these settings.
In the “Text Entry” space below, select the links icon [looks like a chain], then External Links from the drop-down menu. Enter the title of your document in the “Text” space, then paste the URL you coped in Step 2. Click Done.
Enter the rest of your assignment information in response to the prompts above. When done, click Submit Assignment.
Why Not Use Other Submission Types?
All the submission options were tested using the same assignment in which a student is required to create a Google document, then submit it. The document would be accessed again, either by the student who created it for further editing and content creation or by peers providing peer critique. All submission types can be made to work for the assignment, but require additional steps or complicated instructions that detract from the purpose of the assignment. Some examples of other submission types are below, and you can read a more detailed breakdown of the options when submitting Google files for an assignment at Google Document Assignment Submission Types in Canvas.
Google LTI 3.1 Submission - relies on the instructor providing an initial template or worksheet that students will complete on their own.
Google Drive LTI - is similar to the Google LTI 3.1 Submission, but the document the instructor provides initially is limited to the instructor’s “My Drive” files, which eliminates files found in shared Google folders not owned by the instructor.
File Upload submission - Students are limited to the local files on their computer’s drive.
