canvas-assignment-design

name	canvas-assignment-design
description	Design Canvas LMS assignments using evidence-based learning science principles from the Four Learning Design Pillars. Use when educators want to create pedagogically sound assignments, need help writing assignment descriptions with clear objectives, want rubric suggestions, or are creating quizzes/discussions/peer reviews. Integrates with canvas-mcp for direct Canvas creation.

Canvas Assignment Design

Design Canvas assignments following the Four Learning Design Pillars.

Workflow

Phase 1: Learning Objective Clarification

Ask the educator:

1. What should students be able to do after this assignment? (use action verbs: analyze, create, evaluate, apply)
2. What assignment type? Standard, quiz, discussion, or peer review
3. Context? Course level, sequence position, estimated student time

Phase 2: Design Decisions by Pillar

Pillar 1: Clear, Purposeful Structure

Principle	Design Question	Canvas Implementation
1.1.1 Small segments	Can this be broken into milestones?	Multiple submissions or staged deadlines
1.3.1 Clear objectives	Are learning objectives stated at the top?	Add objectives in description header
1.3.4 Expectation setting	Are success criteria crystal clear?	Attach detailed rubric; provide exemplars
1.2.2 Integrated format	Are all resources accessible in one place?	Embed resources in assignment description

• Learning objectives stated clearly
• Broken into logical steps or phases
• Rubric attached with clear criteria

Pillar 2: Active, Engaging Learning Content

Principle	Design Question	Canvas Implementation
2.3.4 Storytelling	Can you frame this as a scenario?	Write assignment as a narrative
2.3.7 Interest and relevance	Connected to students' careers?	Reference real-world applications
3.1.5 Authentic practice	Mirrors real-world tasks?	Use industry scenarios, tools, formats

• Authentic, real-world context provided
• Active production required (not passive)
• Prior knowledge explicitly activated

Pillar 3: Continuous Practice & Feedback

Principle	Design Question	Canvas Implementation
3.1.6 Low-stakes practice	Formative or summative?	Practice quizzes with unlimited attempts vs graded
3.2.1 Targeted feedback	What specific feedback will students receive?	Rubric with actionable criteria
3.2.4 Worked examples	Have you provided exemplars?	Link sample submissions

• Rubric with specific, actionable criteria
• Sample submission provided
• Reflection or explanation component included

Pillar 4: Simple, Intuitive UX

Principle	Design Question	Canvas Implementation
4.3.2 Time estimates	How long should this take?	State estimated time in description
4.2.5 Minimalist design	Is the description uncluttered?	Use headers, bullets, white space

• Time estimate provided
• Scannable format (headers, bullets)

Phase 3: Generate Assignment Components

Generate these based on design decisions:

1. Assignment Description — Use this template:

## Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment, you will be able to:
- [Objective 1 - action verb]

## Overview
[Engaging context - use storytelling/scenario framing]

**Estimated Time:** [X hours]

## Instructions
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]

## Submission Requirements
- [Format, file types, length/scope]

## Evaluation Criteria
See attached rubric. Key areas: [Criterion 1], [Criterion 2]

## Sample Submission
[Link to exemplar or description of what success looks like]

2. Rubric Criteria — Aligned with learning objectives:

Criterion	Excellent (4)	Proficient (3)	Developing (2)	Beginning (1)
[Objective 1]	[Description]	[Description]	[Description]	[Description]

3. Canvas Settings — Submission type, allowed attempts, due date strategy, peer review toggle, points.

Phase 4: Canvas Creation (Optional)

If canvas-mcp is available and educator confirms:

1. Confirm course ID and assignment group
2. Create assignment with create_assignment (set published: false for draft review)
3. Create and attach rubric with create_rubric
4. Return assignment URL

Before/After Examples

For 3 detailed before/after examples (research paper, quiz, discussion forum) showing traditional vs pillar-informed design, see references/examples.md.

Principles Source

Full principle definitions: ~/.claude/skills/learning-design-pillars/principles/learning-design-pillars.yaml