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How to Install Learning Apps in Canvas

There are various ways for you to install learning apps in your Canvas course, but not all learning apps can be installed in every way. These instructions clarify which items can be installed in which locations and how to install them.

Learning apps are available to be installed in four different ways: in the Course Navigation Menu, in a page (or any course content that uses the Rich Content Editor), as an assignment, or in a module.

How to add a learning app in the Course Navigation Menu

The items that can be installed via this method include:

  • Online MID
  • Check In
  • Tokens
  • Shoutouts!
  • Randomly
  • UDiversity
  • Library Resources

Follow these steps to add a learning app into the Course Navigation Menu:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course.
  2. Go to the Settings in the Course Navigation Menu at the bottom left of your Canvas course.
  3. Click on the Navigation tab.
  4. Scroll down to find the learning app you would like to install.
  5. Click on the kabob (three dots) in line with the item, and click Enable. The item should move to the top set of boxes. You may click and drag to rearrange the item.
  6. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Save.
  7. The app has now been added into the Course Navigation Menu of your Canvas course.

How to add a learning app in a page (or other Rich Content Editor location)

This method may be used with any other course content that uses the Rich Content Editor (RCE), including course discussions and announcements.

The items that can be installed via this method include:

  • Emoji Ratings
  • Photo Gallery
  • Quick Poll
  • Simple Certificate

Follow these steps to add a learning app into the Rich Content Editor:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course.
  2. Open or create the page/discussion/announcement where you would like to add the learning app.
  3. Above the Rich Content Editor window, click on the Learning Apps icon. Screenshot
  4. Find the item you wish to select and click Install.
  5. Give the item a title, choose whether you want the app to Open in a new tab or Embed on page, and click Submit. We recommend you choose the Embed on page option.
  6. If you chose to embed: We recommend that you use the default size for embedding, but you may adjust it to your size preference. After submitting, you can edit directly in the Rich Content Editor.

  7. If you chose to open in a new tab: A link to the learning app will appear in the Rich Content Editor. It will not automatically give you the option to begin editing. If you would like to edit, click on the link, and select Link Options.

    • In the right hand side, find the Link and copy the link into a new browser window.
    • In this new window, you will be able to make edits. When all edits are complete, click Save in the learning apps window. You may now close the window.

  8. When you have finished configuring your learning app, add any other modifications to your course content in Canvas and click Save. When you are ready to publish, make sure you Publish your course content.

How to add a learning app as an assignment

The learning apps that can be added as an assignment include:

  • Quick Write
  • Quick Quiz
  • AI Critique

Follow these steps to add a learning app as an assignment:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course.
  2. Go to the Assignments tab.
  3. Click on the + Assignment button to add an assignment.
  4. In the Submission type section, select the drop-down menu and choose External Tool.
  5. Click Find.
  6. Scroll down the window and select Learning Apps Assignments.
  7. A pop up window will appear. Find the learning app you want to use, and click Install.
  8. Add any modifications (point values, title, etc.) in the Canvas assignment. You may also select Load This Tool in a New Tab if you prefer the assignment to launch in a new tab.
  9. Scroll down and click Save.
  10. You will be redirected to a page. You may begin editing the learning app assignment directly on the page, or, if you chose to launch the learning app in a new tab, click on the button that asks you to Load [Learning App] in a new window.
  11. Create your learning app assignment.
  12. When you have completed the learning app assignment, go to the Assignments page in Canvas and click the Publish icon to the right of the Canvas assignment that links to your learning app assignment.

How to add a learning app in a module

While some learning apps are available to add to a course module, we recommend embedding learning apps in a course page or other course content that uses Canvas's Rich Content Editor.

Follow these steps to add a learning app into a module:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course.
  2. Go to Modules.
  3. Find the module you wish to add the tool, and click on the + icon.
  4. Click on the first drop-down option, and choose External Tool.
  5. Scroll down the window and select Learning Apps.
  6. Find the item you wish to select and click Install.
  7. Give the item a title, and click Submit.
  8. Select Add Item.
  9. A new, unpublished link to the app will appear in the module. Click on the link, and select Load in a new window if it does not automatically launch.
  10. In this new window, you will be able to edit to your learning app. When all edits are complete, save your progress before closing the window.
  11. Navigate back to the Modules page in Canvas, and click the Publish icon beside the learning app you've added to make it available to students.