Master the Canvas Gradebook

Canvas Gradebook is more than just a digital ledger. It is a dynamic hub designed to track student progress, automate calculations, and facilitate timely feedback. When leveraged effectively, it reduces administrative burden and provides students with a transparent roadmap of their academic standing.

Note: This workflow guide has a short, accompanying video (12 minutes). The guide and video are intended to be read/viewed together.


Why use Canvas Gradebook?

  • Automated weighting: Automates final grade calculations based on assignment groups and custom percentage weights;
  • Real-time progress: Provides students and instructors with instant, up-to-date visibility into academic performance;
  • Integrated grading: Connects directly with SpeedGrader, rubrics, internal and external tools such as assignments, quizzes, discussions, Wooclap, and more;
  • Early intervention: Uses data-driven insights to quickly identify missing submissions or students falling behind;
  • Actionable data: Simplifies reporting with easy CSV export and import reports.

Locating your grades

To access your Gradebook, navigate to your course and click Grades in the left-hand Course Navigation Menu. If the link has a "hidden" icon, it means it is invisible to students, but it remains fully functional for you.

Gradebook structure at a glance

Gradebook follows a consistent horizontal logic:

  • Student information: Individual rows for each student;
  • Individual assignments: The first set of columns represents every graded item (Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions);
  • Assignment groups and totals: Canvas automatically places the aggregate totals for your Assignment Groups and the Final Grade at the far right of the grid;
  • Customizing the view: While the default view shows everything, you can use the "Apply Filters" button to view only specific Modules, Sections, or Groups, making the data much easier to navigate.

Workflow: Timing Your Success

A successful Gradebook strategy follows the rhythm of the academic term. A three-phase workflow sets you and your students up for a smooth experience.

Phase 1: Construction (before the term starts)

Build a coherent foundation before the first day of class.

  • Tip 1: Assignments = columns. You do not add columns directly to the Gradebook. To create a gradable item, you must build it in the Assignments area. Every graded item created there automatically generates a corresponding column in the Gradebook.
  • Tip 2: Align with your syllabus. Organize your Assignments into Groups to match your syllabus weighting. You can place multiple items into one group, and Canvas will automatically calculate the average of those items to fulfill the percentage you set.
  • Tip 3: Set policy to manual. By default, Canvas is set to "Automatic Posting," meaning students see grades as soon as you enter them. We recommend switching to a manual posting policy in the Gradebook settings. This allows you to grade the entire class privately and release all results simultaneously.

Phase 2: Usage (during the term)

Use Gradebook to maintain the flow of feedback during the semester.

  • Tip 4: Master the hidden menu. Settings for specific activities are accessible in the column headers. Note that the three-dot settings menu is hidden by default; you must hover your mouse over the assignment name for it to appear.
  • Tip 5: Mind the dashes. Convert missing submissions from dashes into zeros. You can do this quickly by selecting "set default grade" to 0 from that assignment's three-dot menu (ensuring you do not overwrite existing grades).

Phase 3: Reporting (at the end of term)

Finalizing and exporting grades.

    • Tip 6: Apply the grading scheme. Enable this in Course Settings to ensure the final percentage aligns with the letter grades required for official reporting.
    • Tip 7: Post all grades. Check for "eye" icons in your columns. If a grade is still "Hidden," it won't be included in the student's view of their final total. Ensure all feedback is "Posted" before the term ends.
    • Tip 8: The Final Export. Use the Export to CSV function. This provides a permanent record and allows you to verify the Unposted Final Score before you submit final grades to Bear Tracks.

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