Some institutions have integrated LabArchives assignments to the institution Learning Management System (Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle). If you are interested in adding this option for your institution, contact LabArchives Support.
The integration allows instructors to link specific LabArchives Assignment entries to assignments in the learning management system. Students will click on the links in Canvas Blackboard or Moodle to access their LabArchives account and submit assignments. Grades added by the instructor will automatically display in the Canvas, Blackboard or Moodle Gradebook.
Tips for Successful LMS Integration
- The instructor must create links for every assignment for each course. If the links in the LMS point to the wrong LabArchives course (like a previous semester or a course taught by a different instructor), students will be added to the wrong course and work in the wrong notebook.
It is highly recommended to use a consistent clear course name and notebook name that matches the course name in the Learning Management System. - If students login to LabArchives directly or switch to another page in LabArchives without clicking through the assignment link, students are unable to submit their work.
- When creating the assignment links it's recommended to select the option to "Open in a tab"
- Information like group assignments and sections will not be set up automatically.
- Grades must be assigned in a percent rather than a total points
- The email address in the learning management system must match the LabArchives account. If email addresses update throughout the semester, it is not recommended to use the LMS integration.
- The LMS integration works best on an up to date browser. If grading staff or students have any trouble accessing their work, be sure to update the browser and clear the browser cache.
Creating Assignment Entries and the LabArchives Course
Like any course, the instructor will need to create the course notebook with assignments, then use the LabArchives course manager to set up the course. To learn more about how to create a course, Click Here.
Note: The course notebook must have at least one assignment entry.
How to Create Assignment Links to Canvas
In Canvas, create an assignment and any information like an assignment name, description or rubric.
For Submission Type, select "External Tool" and click "Find"
In the list of external tools, select LabArchives.
Note: The name of the external tool is set by your institution and may vary. Contact your local LMS administrator for more details.
In the "Link Resource from External Tool" window, select the course and assignment entry, and click "Select" to save.
Note: Be sure to select the correct course and assignment. If the link points to the wrong course or assignment, students will have trouble. If you do not see the correct course, make sure your Canvas account uses the same email address as your LabArchives account. If you do not see the correct assignments, be sure to update the student notebooks.
How to Create Assignment Links to Moodle
In Moodle, click "Add Activity or Resource" and select the "External Tool" icon.
For the activity or resource, select "External Tool" and add any additional information like an activity name.
Note: The name of the external tool is set by your institution and may vary. Contact your local LMS administrator for more details.
In the "General" section, click "Select Content"
In the "Select Content" window, select the course and assignment entry, and click "Save and display"
Note: Be sure to select the correct course and assignment. If the link points to the wrong course or assignment, students will have trouble. If you do not see the correct course, make sure your Canvas account uses the same email address as your LabArchives account. If you do not see the correct assignments, be sure to update the student notebooks.
How to Create Assignment Links to Blackboard
In Blackboard, click "Build Content" and select LabArchives.
Note: The name and location of the external tool is set by your institution. Contact your local LMS administrator for more details.
You'll be prompted to select the course and assignment entry and save.
Note: Be sure to select the correct course and assignment. If the link points to the wrong course or assignment, students will have trouble. If you do not see the correct course, make sure your Canvas account uses the same email address as your LabArchives account. If you do not see the correct assignments, be sure to update the student notebooks.
Grading Assignments Submitted using the Learning Management System
Students will click through the assignment links to work in their LabArchives course notebook. When ready to submit, they will submit the assignment entry.
Importantly, if students have not clicked through the link, they will not be able to submit the assignment and the instructor will not be able to grade.
As the instructor, you can click on the assignments within the learning management system or access to the course manager to open the assignment navigator. To learn more about grading in LabArchives, Click Here. Grades assigned will automatically report back to the Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle integration.
Grading with Canvas Speed Grader
When setting up Canvas in the course manager, you can select to "Grade with Speed Grader in Canvas" or "Grade with LabArchives." If Grade with LabArchives is selected, Click Here to learn more.
Note: Grades should be input as a percent value and can not contain decimals.
Speed Grader allows you to take advantage of Canvas’s tools to grade like setting up a Canvas Rubric and adding comments within Speed Grader. Speed Grader does not have the option to give group grades. Importantly, grades assigned via Speed Grader can only be seen in Canvas and will not display on the LabArchives page.
If Speed Grader is selected, the instructor will see the LabArchives page within the Speed Grader Window.