This article covers three points:

1. Google Classroom Topics are similar to Canvas Modules

2. Moving a Canvas assignment to Google Classroom

3. Moving a Canvas file to Google Classroom

Important note: Teachers will NOT lose access to their Canvas classes and materials. Even though we won’t be rostering students and classes into Canvas for the 24/25 school year, staff will continue to have access to Canvas and all their materials saved there. 

Topics in Google Classroom are similar to Modules in Canvas

Instead of organizing your material and assignments into modules like Canvas, Google Classroom uses topics under the Classwork tab. Topics can be created to help you keep material organized in many ways such as by subject, unit, or week. Students can click on the Classwork tab and see the topics if there are any posted assignments or materials. Assignments/material saved as a draft will not be visible to students.

Moving a Canvas Assignment to Google Classroom

Note: The district will create and roster classes in Google Classroom for you in the fall. You can set up your own Classroom to store assignments and material if you want to start transitioning from Canvas to Classroom. Once an item is in Classroom, it is easy to copy it from one class to another.

• You’ll need to have both Google Classroom and Canvas open in different tabs or windows. 

• In the Canvas tab, open the assignment that you want to move.

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• Switch to the Google Classroom tab and open the desired class or create a new one. 

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• Click on Classwork from the top menu. Click the Create button and choose Assignment. This will open a new assignment window,

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• Switch to your Canvas tab and copy/paste the assignment title and instructions into the Classroom assignment

• If your Canvas assignment includes an attachment:

  • In Canvas, click the download button to save it to your computer.

  • In Classroom, click the Upload button. This will open the upload window.

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  • Click the blue Browse button

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  • Click the Downloads folder

  • Select the file that you downloaded

    • NOTE: The file may not have the same name as the Canvas assignment. It depends on the file’s name when you first uploaded it into Canvas.

  • Click Open to attach the file to the assignment

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  • The attached file will show just under the assignment description. There are three options for student access to the file

    • Students can view file

      • They will not be able to edit the document. If they make a copy of the file, it will not be attached to the assignment

    • Students can edit file (Not recommended)

      • The entire class can edit the original file. They will be able to see each other’s edits. This will alter your original file without saving a blank copy.

    • Make a copy for each student (recommended!)

      • The original file will be preserved and each student will receive a separate copy of the file. Their copy of the file is attached to their assignment and stays organized in Classroom as well as in their Google Drive. They can edit and turn in their file without altering your original.

• Choose the topic if you are organizing this assignment into a category.

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• To save this assignment for later, click the arrow next to Assign and choose Save draft.

Moving a Canvas File to Google Classroom

• You’ll need to have both Google Classroom and Canvas open in different tabs or windows. In the Canvas tab, open the file that you want to move.

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• Click the download link to save it to your computer. Make a note of the file name. 

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• Switch to the Google Classroom tab and open the desired class or create a new one. Click on Classwork from the top menu. Click the Create button and choose Material. This will open a new Material window.

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• Fill in the title and the optional description. Select Topic if you are organizing your material into groups.

• Click the Upload button

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• Click the blue Browse button

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• Click the Downloads folder

• Select the file that you downloaded

• Click Open to attach the file

• NOTE: Students will only be able to view material. They won’t be able to edit it unless you set it up as an assignment.

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• Click Post to make the material available to students right away. To save it for later, click the down arrow next to Post and select Save draft.