Canvas @ YaleInstructor Guides AssignmentsSetting Lock / Availability Dates

Setting Lock / Availability Dates

In Canvas you can control when content is available to students by setting Availability / Lock Dates.

Availability Dates can be set for activities like Assignments and Quizzes, which determine when students can view the item's description as well as submit / engage with the activity.

Lock Dates are set at the Module level and control when students are allowed to access and view content (i.e. files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, etc.), as well as submit / engage with the items within the Module.

It is possible to use both Availability and Lock Dates to limit and control student access and engagement with course content through these date restrictions.

Table of Contents

This article will address the following information:

Lock Dates in Modules

Locking a Module makes it so that students can see the items in the module, but when they click on an item (i.e. file, assignment, discussion, etc.) the item page will say that the item is locked until the date you set. No specific content information or engagement is available in items that are in a locked Module.

  1. From the "Modules" page, click on the three dot icon of the module you want to lock.
  2. Click "Edit."
  1. In the pop-up box that opens, check the "Lock Until" box.
  2. In the Date Selector box, assign the date to unlock the module and make the content in it available to students.
  3. Click "Update Module."

Availability Dates in Assignments / Quizzes

Availability Dates in an activity set when students are able to engage in that activity. Students will be able to click onto the item, but will not be able to read any description / instructions of the activity, or complete the activity through actions like submitting a file, taking the exam / quiz, etc.

  1. From the assignment or quiz description page, click "Edit" in the top-right corner.
  1. On the edit page for the item, scroll down until you reach the "Assign" section of the settings.
    1. Set the "Available from" and "Until" dates.
  2. Click "Save" when finished.

For more help, please contact canvas@yale.edu.