Center Test Blog

Taking Attendance in Canvas

The Roll Call Attendance tool is an external app (LTI) that instructors can use in Canvas to keep track of student course attendance electronically. This tool can be used for online or face-to-face courses. 

• For more information on how this tool can be used, see What is the Roll Call Attendance Tool?
• For all Canvas Guides on attendance tool, see Attendance (Roll Call)

Enable the Roll Call Attendance Tool

To use the Roll Call Attendance tool, you must first enable it in the course site that you want to use it in.  See Course Navigation Settings for more detailed instructions.

1. Click Settings on the left-side course menu.
2. Click the Navigation tab.
3. Find the Attendance tool in the list of course navigation tools (it will likely be towards the bottom of the list).
4. Click on it to drag and drop the tool to the top list of navigational tools OR
   1. Click the Edit Course Navigation (three vertical dots icon) to the right of the tool.
   2. Select +Enable.
5. Scroll down and click Save.

Tips for using the Canvas Attendance tool

• It is not recommended that you use the Canvas Attendance tool for grading purposes.  Use only to take attendance.  If you want attendance to count as a grade, please configure an assignment activity for this purpose.
• See University of North Florida's Pro/Con list on using the attendance tool in Canvas.
• Check out Indiana University's Tips & Tricks for Canvas Roll Call