Canvas Collaborations

Last updated: May 24, 2024
Audience: InstructorsStaff

Canvas Collaborations enable instructors and students to work together on the same document at the same time using Google Docs (and other tools in the Google Workspace) and Office 365. Collaborative documents are saved in real-time, meaning a change made by any user will be immediately visible to everyone. To participate in Collaborations using Google, students must log into their UW Google account, not their personal account.

This summer, UW is updating Google in Canvas Collaborations to LTI 1.3 which has all of the functionality of the older Google Apps LTI and also includes improved security, flexibility, and integrations.

Google LTI 1.3 will be available beginning May 24th. Through summer quarter, both old and new versions of the Google LTI will be available in Canvas Collaborations. The old version (Google Apps) is available to support existing Collaborations, but we encourage instructors to use Google Assignments (LTI 1.3) for all new Collaborations.

The older version of the Google LTI will be removed from Canvas Collaborations on September 3, 2024. Collaborations created using this version will no longer be available in Canvas, but can be accessed through Google Workspace. Links and embedded documents created with the old version will break once the old version is removed and will need to be relinked.

To create or use the Google Assignments (LTI 1.3) in Canvas, you’ll need to sign into both Canvas and your UW Google account with your UW identity. If you experience issues when signing in, see below for troubleshooting tips.

Google LTI 1.3 Troubleshooting FAQ

Why is nothing happening when I try to log in?

Sometimes the first click doesn’t work, try clicking Sign In again.

Why can’t I sign in or why do I get a 405 error when I try to sign in?

Try any of the following:

  • If available, use a different browser and try again.
  • In your current browser, open an incognito or private window and try signing in again.
  • Turn off pop-up blockers in your browser.

When I sign in, why do I see a message about accessing my Google account by allowing cookies?

Try any of the following:

  • Turn on third-party cookies in your browser and try to sign in again
  • If available, use a different browser and try again.