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. 

How-To

Instructions

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.

Create and Manage Tags

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

1. Manage Tags - Use this 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

2. Tag as  - Use this 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.

Options for setting up Differentiation Tags 

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

2. Select students  using the checkboxes

        3. and click Tag as to assign existing tags or create new ones immediately.

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

Assign Tags to Students

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

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

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

Use Tags in Assignments and Activities

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

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

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

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

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 tag sets for structured and scalable differentiation.

Outcome

Users will understand how to use differentiation tags in Canvas. 

Further Readings

Canvas: Differentiation Tags 

Need additional help?

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.