Canvas Differentiation Tags help educators organize subgroups of students for customized instruction. Tags can be used to send specific subgroups of students targeted inbox messages, assignments, discussions, quizzes, pages, or modules, as well as to filter the gradebook. Because tags may be used for many different purposes, this guide provides general recommendations for creating clear, neutral tag names that support instructional purposes and avoid inappropriately labeling students.
Who Can See Differentiation Tags?
Differentiation tags are not visible to students. Within a Canvas course, tag names and student associations are visible to users with the following roles:
- Teacher
- TA
- TA - No Grade Access
- Designer
Recommended Naming Practices
When creating a Differentiation Tag, use only the information necessary to identify its instructional purpose, and avoid including information that identifies students based on personal characteristics or other factors unrelated to the instructional purpose.
When applicable, consider the following format:
[Learning activity or resource] + [instructional purpose]
Examples:
- Unit 4 – Review Resources
- Project – Alternate Format
- Week 6 – Additional Practice
- Writing Extension Activity
- Unit 3 – Optional Resources
Consider tag names that describe an activity, resource, option, or adjustment.
| ✓ Consider | ✗ Avoid |
|---|---|
| HW 1 – Writing Extension Activity | Strong Writers |
| Quiz 1 – Language Support Resources | ESL Students |
| Unit 2 – Review Resources | On Track for an F |
| Unit 2 – Practice | Low Performers |
| Mid-term – Additional Check-In | At-Risk Students |
| Final Exam – Make-Up Assessment | Medical Exception |
Avoid Sensitive or Judgmental Labels
Do not create tags that reveal or imply personal or sensitive information about a student, including:
- Diagnosis, accommodation, or medical information
- Protected-class information, e.g., age, race, gender, disability
- Grades, anticipated grades, or other labels based on academic performance
- Judgments about students’ abilities, performance, or potential, even when the label is intended to be positive
- Other personal or sensitive information that is not necessary for the instructional purpose of the tag
Considerations for Accommodation Information
Differentiation Tags may be useful for implementing instructional adjustments for students with accommodations.
Do not include accommodation or disability information in a tag name.
Tag names should not document, disclose, identify, or track a student's disability, diagnosis, Disability Services status, or accommodation information.
For accommodation-related uses, consider using a neutral, course-specific identifier, such as Group 1, Group 2, or another numeric or alphanumeric designation, when practical. This can help protect student confidentiality and reduce the risk of inadvertent disclosure if a tag name is displayed or seen by someone who does not need the information.
For example:
| ✓ Consider | ✗ Avoid |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | Exam 1 – Extended Time |
| Group A | Disability Accommodation |
| Unit 2 Review Resources | ADHD Students |
Before You Create a Tag
- Does the tag describe an instructional action or experience rather than a student characteristic?
- Would the tag still be appropriate if it were seen by the student or someone else in the course?
- Could someone infer sensitive information about the student from the tag?
- Is the language neutral and free from judgments about ability, motivation, or potential?
- Is this tag necessary for an instructional purpose?
If you're unsure, choose a more neutral, purpose-based tag name.
Additional Resources
Additional resources for supporting student accommodations are available on the Disability Services website.
Additional resources for incorporating inclusive practices into teaching are available on the Center for Teaching & Learning website.