What are differentiation tags?
Differentiation Tags is a Canvas feature that allows instructors to create custom sets of students within a course.
Differentiated Tags are hidden from students and can be used for various organizational and instructional purposes.
With Differentiated Tags, a teacher can easily label students or groups based on learning needs or ODS accommodations.
The Canvas Gradebook can filter using students added to a Differentiated Tags for easy grading.
Why would I use Differentiation Tags?
- Targeted Assignments: Easily assign homework, quizzes, or other materials to specific student tag sets using the "Assign To" feature.
- 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.
When to use Tags over a Section or a Group
Since Sections are connected to SIS, they’re heavily restricted preventing instructors from using them.
Groups, on the other hand, are collaborative and always visible to students, and come with a collaborative group page.
Tags give instructors more flexibility in organizing their courses and managing content without interfering with SIS sync or being visible to students.
How to Create a Differentiated Tag
- Go to the People page in their Canvas course.
- Click Tag As.
- Select New Tag.
- In the Tag Name field, enter the name of the tag.
- Instructors will then be able to create a standalone tag or a tag set that has variants. Click Save.
Unlike Groups, students will not see the tags they are associated with
Add Students to a Differentiated Tag
- Go to the People page in their Canvas course.
- Select the checkboxes for the students to add to a Tag.
- Click Tag As.
- Select the name of the tag to add the students into. A notification will appear that the tags were successfully added.
- A tagged student will have a tag icon located next to their name.
Editing or Deleting a Differentiation Tag
- This can be done but a teacher must exercise caution when doing so.
- Removing a student from a tag, deleting or editing a tag may affect a student's final course grade.