Instructor Guide: Appointment via Canvas

Follow these streamlined steps to efficiently add a Scheduler appointment group (a set of times for students to reserve) in a course calendar using the Canvas platform.

Scheduler allows for the creation of appointment groups, providing students with a block of time to schedule meetings with you. These appointments then become visible in your calendar once a student or group reserves a time slot, and the details are also included in any exported calendar feeds. Here's how to set this up:

Open Calendar: In Global Navigation, click the Calendar link.
Add Event: Check the box for the calendar where you want to add the appointment group [1]. Click any date on the calendar to add an event [2], or navigate to a different month [3]. Alternatively, click the Add icon [4].
Open Appointment Group: Click the Appointment Group tab.
Create Name and Location: Enter the name [1] and location [2] of the appointment.
Select Calendars: Click the Select Calendars button [1]. Choose the course(s) or section(s) for the appointment group by clicking the checkbox next to the name [2]. Click the Done button [3] to close the list. Use the arrow icon [4] to select specific sections.
Allow Group Signup: To enable group signups, click the Have students sign up in groups checkbox [1] and select the group category [2].
Set Appointment Time Range: Input the appointment date in the date field [1]. Set the time range [2] and enter the division time into the time field [3] to create multiple slots. Click the Go button [4].
Modify Appointment Times: Manually adjust or delete appointment times if necessary.
Set Appointment Options: Click the Limit each time slot checkbox [1] to set a limit on sign-ups. Enable students to see who has signed up [2], and if needed, limit the number of appointments a participant can attend [3].
Add Appointment Details: Enter additional details about the appointment group.
Publish Appointment Group: Click the Publish button.
View Calendar: Review the appointment dates and times in your course calendar. Reserved time slots by students will appear as a solid color.

Important Notes: Scheduler events cannot be edited or deleted after the course ends. The tool is optional and may require activation by your Canvas administrator. Visibility of the appointment group depends on whether it's created for an entire course or a specific section.

How do I view and edit existing assignment groups?

Follow these steps to manage existing appointment groups and individual time slots in Canvas' Scheduler. The visibility of appointment groups is determined by whether they are set for an entire course or a specific section.

Open Calendar: Click the Calendar link in Global Navigation.
View Appointment Group: Find the appointment group in your calendar. Reserved slots are shown in solid color.
Open Appointment Group: Click a time slot in the group [1]. Then, click the Group Details button [2] to open the group.
Edit Appointment Group Details: On the appointment group page, you can see the associated course [1] and edit group details including the name [2], add new sets and time slots [3], and modify the location [4], details [5], and options [6].
View Appointment Slots: View all appointments at the bottom of the details page [1]. This shows date, time, availability, and names of students who signed up. For messaging students in the group, click the Message Students button [2].
Manage Appointment Group: To delete the entire group, click Delete Group [1]. Cancel changes with the Cancel button [2] or save them with the Save button [3].
Manage Appointment Slot: In the calendar, manage individual slots by clicking the appointment link [1]. Edit specific details with the Edit button [2] or remove a time slot with the Delete button [3]. You can also message users in a reserved slot [4].

Editing time slots allows for specific changes without affecting the whole group. For example, changing the user limit in a specific slot only affects that slot, not the entire group. Remember, messages to students are sent as group messages unless the recipient count exceeds 100, in which case they are sent individually.

For more questions, please visit the full Canvas Instructor Guide