Collaborations in Canvas

Owned by Former user (Deleted)
Last updated: Jul 03, 2024 by Helen Gong
2 min read

Overview

Canvas' collaborations tab allows teachers and students to invite each other to edit shared documents, either through Google Docs or OneDrive. Collaborations can be used to facilitate group projects, create study guides, or brainstorm ideas. 

Setting up a Collaboration

  1. From the Collaborations tab of your course, select 'Start a New Collaboration'.

    Start a new collaboration option
    start a new collaboration

  2. Select whether you want to use Google Docs or OneDrive to create the collaboration.

    dropdown menu to choose between using Google Docs or Office365 for collaborations

Google Docs

Each collaborator will need to have a Google account and authorize Canvas to access this account before they are able to collaborate.

It is possible to create a Google Docs collaborations as an instructor. Below we will go over the basics. 

  1. Name the document, write a description, and add collaborators to it.

  2. The new collaborative document will appear in a new window.

OneDrive

Each collaborator will need to have a OneDrive account before they are able to collaborate. However, all students with an institutional email address (@spu.edu) should already have an account.

It is possible to create a OneDrive collaboration as an instructor. Below we will go over the key points.  

  1. Name the document and write a description.

  2. You will be redirected to the People tab. Select the names (or groups) you want to collaborate on the document.

  3. Hit Save.

  4. View your collaboration and begin editing the document.

Additional Resources