how to see what you got wrong on canvas

3 min read 24-01-2025

Canvas, the popular learning management system (LMS), provides various tools to help students understand their performance. This article will guide you through different methods to identify areas needing improvement within your Canvas courses. Whether you're a student aiming to boost your grades or an educator reviewing student work, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to effectively analyze results and identify areas for growth.

Understanding Your Canvas Grades

The most straightforward way to see your overall performance is through the Grades tab. This section provides a comprehensive overview of your scores across all assignments, quizzes, and other graded activities within the course.

Checking Individual Assignment Scores

Clicking on an individual assignment within the Grades tab reveals a detailed breakdown of your performance. This often includes:

Your score: The points you earned out of the total possible points.
Feedback: Comments and annotations from your instructor. This might be embedded directly within the assignment or linked separately.
Rubrics: If a rubric was used, you can see how your work was assessed against each criterion. This provides specific insights into areas of strength and weakness.
Correct/Incorrect Answers: For quizzes and tests, Canvas often indicates which questions you answered correctly and incorrectly. This is invaluable for identifying knowledge gaps. (Note: The specific presentation of this varies depending on the quiz type and instructor's settings).

Utilizing the Canvas Gradebook Features

Canvas's gradebook has several powerful features. Knowing how to use them effectively is key:

Filtering: Filter your grades by assignment type (e.g., quizzes, discussions, essays) to focus on specific areas.
Sorting: Sort your grades by score, assignment due date, or other criteria to help you identify patterns.
Weighting: Understand how each assignment contributes to your overall grade. This allows you to focus on higher-weighted assignments where improvements have a greater impact.

Reviewing Feedback from Instructors

Instructor feedback is crucial for understanding your mistakes. Canvas offers various ways to receive this feedback:

Inline Comments: Many assignments allow instructors to leave comments directly on your submitted work. Look carefully at these annotations for specific suggestions.
General Feedback: Instructors may also provide general comments on your overall performance in an assignment. These often summarize strengths and weaknesses.
Rubric Scores: A rubric provides a breakdown of your performance against specific criteria, helping you pinpoint where improvements are most needed.

Identifying Patterns and Areas for Improvement

Once you've reviewed your grades and feedback, look for patterns in your mistakes:

Consistent Errors: Are you repeatedly making the same type of mistake? This might indicate a need to review specific concepts or practice certain skills.
Time Management Issues: Did you struggle to complete assignments on time? This could require adjustments to your study schedule.
Understanding Gaps: Do you frequently miss questions on a particular topic? This highlights gaps in your knowledge that need addressing.

Tips for Educators Reviewing Student Work

Canvas simplifies the process of providing feedback and monitoring student progress:

Utilize SpeedGrader: SpeedGrader is a powerful tool for efficiently reviewing assignments and providing feedback. You can add comments, use rubrics, and return assignments quickly.
Provide Specific Feedback: Avoid vague comments. Be clear and concise about what students did well and where they need to improve.
Use Rubrics: Rubrics provide structure for your feedback and allow students to easily see how their work was assessed.
Monitor Student Progress: Regularly check student grades and activity to identify students who may be struggling.

By mastering Canvas's features and adopting effective review strategies, both students and educators can gain valuable insights into academic performance and identify areas for future growth. Remember to leverage all the tools available to you – from the detailed grade breakdowns to instructor feedback – to ensure a deeper understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.