Google LTI – Getting Started in Canvas


Although sharing Google documents provides flexibility and collaborations, the Google LTI integration restricts access to those users who you have shared the document in your Canvas course.

Table of Contents

Google Limitations

As part of the Canvas integration, some functionality is limited by Google. Users should be aware of the following limitations by Google in Canvas:

 

Authorization

Users can authorize the Google Apps LTI to view their Google Drive account. If authorization to Google Drive is not successful the first time, authorize the application again. Users can only authenticate into one Google Drive account at a time. If users need to authenticate into Google Drive using a different account, users can open the User Settings page, remove the integration, and then authenticate again using the new Google Drive account.

 

Assignments

Cloud Assignments

Instructors can create an online embedded assignment through an external tool. With the Google Apps external tool, this assignment type creates a view of the assignment file that acts as a template for a student’s assignment submission. Accepted assignment types are Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Notes:

File Upload Assignments

Instructors can also continue to create regular file upload assignments. However, when instructor allows file uploads, students can view the Google Drive tab and upload files directly from Google Drive.

 

Collaborations

Users can create collaborations with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. The creator can add individual users or groups from the course to participate in the collaboration. Collaborators can be added or removed at any time, but once a user is added to the collaboration, the user always has access to the collaboration in the user’s Google Drive folder. Collaborations require a name before they can be saved.

 

Files

Users can access their Google Drive folder from the Course Navigation Menu. Google Apps does not display a folder directly in a user’s Files page.

 

Modules

Google Apps displays as a Modules external tool. Instructors can add links to Google Drive documents as an external tool.

 

Rich Content Editor

Google Apps displays a Google Drive icon in the Rich Content Editor. The icon displays everything in a user’s Google Drive account and allows users to display documents as inline links or embed them directly. Students and teachers can view the icon anywhere they can access the Rich Content Editor, such as discussions and pages (as allowed).

If the icon does not display directly in the tool bar, the icon is included in the More External Tools drop-down menu.

 

Canvas Mobile App Features

Currently Google Apps integration has very limited integration in the Canvas by Instructure app and SpeedGrader app. Instructors who incorporate cloud assignments into their coursework should let students know that cloud assignment are not currently supported in the Canvas app.