Canvas Quizzes can be used as an attendance tracking option.
In the example below, we suggest creating a quiz with one question asking the students to choose a random number of your choosing.
At the beginning of class, write your chosen number on the board (remember the correct answer assigned in the Canvas Quiz), then direct the students to access and complete the quiz on Canvas.
The students in class should be able to answer the quiz question correctly, indicating that they were in attendance.
1. On your course page, click Quizzes in the Course Navigation Menu.
2. Click the blue add Quiz button.
3. When creating a Quiz for the first time, you will be asked to choose a Quiz Engine. Choose New Quizzes and check the “Remember my choice…” checkbox.
4. Click the blue Submit button.
5. Input the Quiz Name. As an example: “Attendance 3/17/2025”
Note: Most settings can be left at the default setting. Leave points as 0 and check the two checkboxes about grading, as Canvas is not the appropriate tool for Law School grading.
6. Select the due date.
7. For ease, select Available from and until date and times to automate when the attendance quiz opens for your attendance taking period during class time.
8. Click the blue Build button.
9. Click the Instructions area to add instructions, if desired.
10. Click the blue plus symbol to add quiz questions.
11. Click the desired question type. In this example, Multiple Choice.
12. Input the Question Stem, which would be the question to be answered.
13. Input your answer options.
14. Select the correct answer.
15. Set additional Options, if desired.
16. Set the desired point amount.
17. Click the blue Done button to finish or click the blue plus symbol to add another quiz question and finish building out the Quiz.
18. If you clicked Done, then click the Return button to go back to the main Quizzes page.
19. Create quizzes for each additional class date.
If easier, you may use the Duplicate function for each additional date and change the date in the title as well as the answer options.
Please see the instructions here on making quizzes accessible to students.
