# What assignment types can I create in a course?

Canvas supports five assignment types: Assignments, Discussions, Quizzes, External Tools, and Not Graded.

As an instructor, you can select an assignment type when creating an [assignment shell](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-create-an-assignment-shell-in-an-assignment-group/ta-p/974). However, you can also create assignments within an assignment type by visiting each type's respective Index Page.

<div id="bkmrk-embed-this-video"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1" frameborder="0" height="400px" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-presentation" src="https://embed.app.guidde.com/playbooks/vBPiYatNaRhWYh6F1oGXr7" title="What assignment types can I create in a course?" width="700px"></iframe>

<button class="embed-button">Embed this Video</button></div>## Assignment

<div data-step-uuid="1E7198FF-2F75-4053-AE25-ED8A50E73EB9" id="bkmrk-"><div data-step-uuid="1E7198FF-2F75-4053-AE25-ED8A50E73EB9"><div>![Assignment](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/751/143/original/45ca6d03-17f9-4cff-835a-fd899e1db1ba.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>An Assignment is a Canvas assignment that can be submitted online through text entry, file uploads, media recordings, external tools, URLs, or Canvas pages. Assignments appear on the Assignments Index Page, the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only).

Not Graded assignments may include a due date, however points or grades are not given for completing the assignment.

Assignments can be assigned to individual students, groups, or sections.

<div data-step-uuid="1E7198FF-2F75-4053-AE25-ED8A50E73EB9" id="bkmrk--0"><div data-step-uuid="1E7198FF-2F75-4053-AE25-ED8A50E73EB9"><div><div></div></div><div>![Find Assignments](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/009/213/355/original/dd9ba143-2200-4ae4-aecc-143698d4ecd4.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>Throughout Canvas, users can recognize assignments with the Assignment icon.

## Discussion

<div data-step-uuid="39FE73F6-6813-49DD-9426-20BE90675D57" id="bkmrk--1"><div data-step-uuid="39FE73F6-6813-49DD-9426-20BE90675D57"><div>![Discussion](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/751/147/original/198344f6-85c1-4ee8-9432-5a6409c10d03.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>A Discussion is a Canvas assignment that will grade student response to discussion topics. This assignment will appear on the Assignment Index Page (graded only), the [Discussions Index Page](https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2710), the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only).

Discussions can be assigned to individual students, groups, or sections.

<div data-step-uuid="39FE73F6-6813-49DD-9426-20BE90675D57" id="bkmrk--2"><div data-step-uuid="39FE73F6-6813-49DD-9426-20BE90675D57"><div><div></div></div><div>![Find Discussions](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/005/164/587/original/9eb27a5c-e7ed-45ec-87ec-259fb401b0e0.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>Throughout Canvas, users can recognize discussions with the Discussion icon.

## Quiz

<div data-step-uuid="38F46AF3-00E1-4294-8E40-952658E252CF" id="bkmrk--3"><div data-step-uuid="38F46AF3-00E1-4294-8E40-952658E252CF"><div>![Quiz](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/751/159/original/19d9024e-21f5-4679-b26c-0b8d0085289e.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>A Quiz is a Canvas assignment that can be used to conduct a survey or assess a student's comprehension of course content. This assignment will appear on the Assignments Index Page (graded only), the [Quizzes Index Page,](https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2890) the Gradebook (graded only), the Syllabus, and on the User Dashboard (graded only).

Quizzes can be assigned to individual students or sections; they cannot be assigned to groups.

<div data-step-uuid="38F46AF3-00E1-4294-8E40-952658E252CF" id="bkmrk--4"><div data-step-uuid="38F46AF3-00E1-4294-8E40-952658E252CF"><div><div></div></div><div>![Find Quizzes](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/005/164/589/original/e044d632-ab1c-4a25-9ab6-c9dc0493d61e.png)</div><div><div></div></div></div></div>Throughout Canvas, users can recognize quizzes with the Quiz icon.

\[Content retrieved from [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/What-assignment-types-can-I-create-in-a-course/ta-p/627](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/What-assignment-types-can-I-create-in-a-course/ta-p/627)\]