Canvas: Differentiation Tags

Summary

Differentiation Tags are a tool in Canvas that allows you to "tag" certain students on certain assignments by a group or name. 

 

Content

What are Differentiation Tags?

Differentiation Tags are a feature in Canvas that allows you to create custom sets of students within your course. Once applied, these tags enable you to personalize learning by controlling access to specific assignments, quizzes, pages, discussions, or modules. You can also vary due dates or availability windows for the different sets of students. Differentiation Tags provide a simple, flexible way to meet students where they are.

Here are a few ways you might use differentiation tags: 

  • Targeted Assignments: Easily assign homework, quizzes, or other materials to specific student tag sets using the "Assign To" feature.
  • Differentiated Instruction: To provide personalized learning experiences, create tag sets based on learning styles, academic needs, or interests.
  • Accommodation Tracking: Discreetly tag students who require accommodations, allowing instructors to identify and address their needs quickly.
  • Streamlined Communication: Communicate with specific student tag sets through the Inbox without alerting the whole class.
  • Gradebook Filtering: Filter the traditional Gradebook to view and analyze the performance of specific student tag sets. 

Remember, tags and tag sets are hidden from students, meaning you can use them for your personal organizational and academic/instructional purposes.

 

Tips & Important Notes

  • Students can have multiple tags.
  • Removing a tag doesn’t affect grades or submissions, just the grouping.
  • If you remove Everyone from an assignment, students not assigned a tag won’t see it. 
  • Tags are course-specific and do not carry over when copying a course.
  • Use tags for flexibility - especially for students needing accommodations, subgroups with different due dates, or differentiated activities.

 

Standalone Tags vs. Tag Sets

You can use standalone tags for quick, one-off needs or use tag sets for structured and scalable differentiation.

  Standalone Tags Tag Sets
Definition A standalone tag applied to one or more students A set of related tags
Purpose Quickly flag or group students for individualized content Organize structured, multi-level differentiation
Flexibility High, create and apply tags as needed Moderate, requires planning and structures setup
Visibility to Students Invisible to students Invisible to students
Best Used When You need simple grouping You want to differentiate a learning path or skill level in a more scalable way
Canvas Location People in course navigation > Manage Tags People in course navigation > Add Tag Set + Variants
Filtering in Canvas Filter by individual tags in the Gradebook and on the People page Gradebook filters appear grouped by tag set name
Example Use Cases - Needs Extra Time, Make-Up for Quiz 4,  Remote Student(s),  Transfer Cohort Set: Reading Level Tags: Needs Support, Standard, Advanced
Set: Clinical Group Tags: AM, PM, Online

 

Create and Manage Tags in the "People" area

In the People area, you have two options when setting up tags:

"Tag as" and "Manage Tags" highlighted for creating differentiation tags

 

"Manage Tags" Button

Use this button to create, edit, delete, or import tags for your course. You can also upload a CSV to add multiple tags at once, which is helpful for large courses.

CSV Import Tip: When importing a CSV, make sure it follows the correct format. At minimum, it should include:

  • login_id (username eg elr1012)
  • tag_name

 

"Tag As" Button

Use this button when selecting students to assign them to tags or unassign them from tags. From this button, you can also create a new tag on the spot if it hasn’t been set up yet in Manage Tags.

 

How-To

Task: Set up Differentiation Tags 

Instructions

Step 1 - Click Manage Tags to set up reusable tags or import a list via CSV.

Step 2 - Select students using the checkboxes

Students selected in the people tab with checkboxes

 

Step 3 - Click Tag as to assign existing tags or create new ones immediately.

Step 4 - Save your changes - tags are now available to use in differentiated assignments or activities.

 

Outcome

You will be able to set up differentiation tags.

 

Task - Assign Tags to Students

Instructions

Step 1 - In the People area, select one or more students.

Step 2 - Click Tag as and select the appropriate tag(s) from the drop-down list.

Step 3 - Students now appear under those tags whenever you use differentiated settings.

 

Outcome

You will be able to assign tags to students.

 

Task: Use Tags in Assignments and Activities

Instructions

Step 1 - When creating or editing an assignment, quiz, or discussion, go to the Assign To field.

Step 2 - Start typing the tag name; Canvas will suggest it.

Step 3 - Select the tag to apply due dates, availability windows, or requirements specifically for that group.

Step 4 - Optionally, you can assign multiple tags or combine tags with Everyone for layered assignments.

 

Outcome

You will be able to use tags in assignments and activities

 

Further Readings

Canvas Community - Differentiation Tags 

 

Need additional help?

Submit a Canvas (myCourses) support request or visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.  

 

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