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<span class="doc-badge educator">👨🏫 Educator Guide</span>
<h1>Canvas MCP for Educators</h1>
<p>AI-powered course management with FERPA-compliant data handling. Track submissions, grade efficiently, and communicate with students.</p>
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<ul class="doc-nav">
<li><a href="#what-can-it-do">What Can It Do?</a></li>
<li><a href="#prerequisites">Prerequisites</a></li>
<li><a href="#installation">Installation</a></li>
<li><a href="#ferpa">FERPA Compliance</a></li>
<li><a href="#how-to-use">How to Use</a></li>
<li><a href="#available-tools">Available Tools</a></li>
<li><a href="#workflows">Example Workflows</a></li>
<li><a href="#advanced">Advanced Features</a></li>
<li><a href="#troubleshooting">Troubleshooting</a></li>
</ul>
</aside>
<main class="doc-content">
<section id="what-can-it-do">
<h2>What Can Canvas MCP Do for You?</h2>
<p>Canvas MCP provides AI-powered assistance for common teaching workflows:</p>
<div class="feature-grid">
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>📋 Assignment Management</h4>
<p>Track submissions, identify missing work, analyze completion rates across your courses.</p>
</div>
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>✏️ Grading & Rubrics</h4>
<p>Manage rubrics, grade submissions efficiently, and provide structured feedback.</p>
</div>
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>📊 Student Analytics</h4>
<p>Monitor performance, identify at-risk students, track engagement trends.</p>
</div>
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>👥 Peer Review Management</h4>
<p>Track completion, analyze review quality, send automated reminders.</p>
</div>
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>💬 Discussion Facilitation</h4>
<p>Monitor discussions, respond to students, analyze participation.</p>
</div>
<div class="feature-item">
<h4>📧 Communication</h4>
<p>Send targeted messages, create announcements, automate reminders.</p>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section id="prerequisites">
<h2>Prerequisites</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Python 3.10+</strong> installed on your computer</li>
<li><strong>Claude Desktop</strong> - Download from <a href="https://claude.ai/download">claude.ai</a></li>
<li><strong>Canvas Account</strong> with instructor/TA permissions</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="installation">
<h2>Installation</h2>
<h3>1. Clone and Install</h3>
<pre><code>git clone https://github.com/vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp.git
cd canvas-mcp
<span class="code-comment"># Create virtual environment</span>
python3 -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
<span class="code-comment"># Install</span>
pip install -e .</code></pre>
<h3>2. Get Your Canvas API Token</h3>
<ol>
<li>Log in to your Canvas account</li>
<li>Go to <strong>Account</strong> → <strong>Settings</strong></li>
<li>Scroll to <strong>Approved Integrations</strong></li>
<li>Click <strong>+ New Access Token</strong></li>
<li>Name it "Claude AI Teaching Assistant"</li>
<li><strong>Copy the token immediately</strong></li>
</ol>
<h3>3. Configure Environment</h3>
<pre><code>cp env.template .env</code></pre>
<p>Edit your <code>.env</code> file:</p>
<pre><code><span class="code-comment"># Canvas API Configuration</span>
CANVAS_API_TOKEN=your_token_here
CANVAS_API_URL=https://canvas.youruniversity.edu
<span class="code-comment"># Privacy Settings (IMPORTANT for FERPA compliance)</span>
ENABLE_DATA_ANONYMIZATION=true
ANONYMIZATION_DEBUG=false</code></pre>
<div class="info-box important">
<div class="info-box-title">⚠️ Important</div>
<p>Set <code>ENABLE_DATA_ANONYMIZATION=true</code> for FERPA-compliant student data handling. This anonymizes student names before AI processing.</p>
</div>
<h3>4. Configure Claude Desktop</h3>
<p>Add to <code>~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json</code>:</p>
<pre><code>{
"mcpServers": {
"canvas-api": {
"command": "/path/to/canvas-mcp/.venv/bin/canvas-mcp-server"
}
}
}</code></pre>
<h3>5. Test and Start</h3>
<pre><code>canvas-mcp-server --test
canvas-mcp-server --config</code></pre>
<p>Restart Claude Desktop to activate the tools.</p>
</section>
<section id="ferpa">
<h2>FERPA Compliance & Privacy</h2>
<h3>How Data Anonymization Works</h3>
<p>When <code>ENABLE_DATA_ANONYMIZATION=true</code> is set, Canvas MCP automatically:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Converts student names</strong> to anonymous IDs (e.g., "John Smith" → "Student_abc123")</li>
<li><strong>Masks email addresses</strong> (e.g., "john@university.edu" → "student_abc123@masked")</li>
<li><strong>Filters PII</strong> from discussion posts and submissions</li>
<li><strong>Maintains consistency</strong> - same student always gets the same anonymous ID</li>
<li><strong>Preserves relationships</strong> - you can still identify patterns and trends</li>
</ol>
<h3>De-Anonymization Mapping</h3>
<p>The system creates local mapping files for you to correlate anonymous IDs with real students:</p>
<pre><code>local_maps/
└── course_BADM_350_mapping.csv</code></pre>
<p>This CSV maps anonymous IDs back to real names - <strong>keep it secure and never commit to version control</strong>.</p>
<h3>Privacy Best Practices</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Enable anonymization</strong> - Always set <code>ENABLE_DATA_ANONYMIZATION=true</code></li>
<li><strong>Secure your token</strong> - Never share or commit your Canvas API token</li>
<li><strong>Protect mapping files</strong> - Keep <code>local_maps/</code> folder secure</li>
<li><strong>Local processing only</strong> - All data stays on your machine</li>
<li><strong>Review before sharing</strong> - Ensure student data is anonymous in shared conversations</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="how-to-use">
<h2>How to Use Canvas MCP</h2>
<h3>Quick Start Prompts</h3>
<h4>Assignment Management</h4>
<ul>
<li>"Which students haven't submitted Assignment 3 in BADM 350?"</li>
<li>"Show me submission statistics for the latest assignment"</li>
<li>"List all assignments in my Spring 2025 courses"</li>
</ul>
<h4>Student Analytics</h4>
<ul>
<li>"Which students are falling behind in BADM 350?"</li>
<li>"Show me performance analytics for Assignment 5"</li>
<li>"Who needs academic support based on recent grades?"</li>
</ul>
<h4>Peer Review Management</h4>
<ul>
<li>"How many students completed their peer reviews for Assignment 2?"</li>
<li>"Show me peer review completion analytics"</li>
<li>"Analyze the quality of peer review comments"</li>
</ul>
<h4>Grading & Rubrics</h4>
<ul>
<li>"Show me the rubric for Assignment 4"</li>
<li>"List all rubrics for BADM 350"</li>
<li>"Create a rubric for the final project"</li>
</ul>
<h4>Communication</h4>
<ul>
<li>"Send a reminder to students who haven't completed peer reviews"</li>
<li>"Create an announcement about tomorrow's exam"</li>
<li>"Message students who are missing Assignment 3"</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="available-tools">
<h2>Available Educator Tools</h2>
<h3>Assignment Management</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>list_assignments</code> - View all assignments for a course</li>
<li><code>get_assignment_details</code> - Detailed assignment information</li>
<li><code>list_submissions</code> - Student submission status</li>
<li><code>get_assignment_analytics</code> - Performance and completion statistics</li>
</ul>
<h3>Grading & Rubrics</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>create_rubric</code> - Create new rubrics</li>
<li><code>get_rubric_details</code> - View rubric criteria</li>
<li><code>associate_rubric</code> - Link rubric to assignment</li>
<li><code>grade_submission_with_rubric</code> - Grade using rubric</li>
<li><code>bulk_grade_submissions</code> - Batch grading (10+ at once)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Student Analytics</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>get_student_analytics</code> - Multi-dimensional performance analysis</li>
<li><code>identify_at_risk_students</code> - Flag students needing support</li>
<li><code>get_peer_review_completion_analytics</code> - Peer review tracking</li>
</ul>
<h3>Peer Review Management</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>list_peer_reviews</code> - View peer review assignments</li>
<li><code>get_peer_review_comments</code> - Extract review text and metadata</li>
<li><code>analyze_peer_review_quality</code> - Quality metrics and analysis</li>
<li><code>identify_problematic_peer_reviews</code> - Flag low-quality reviews</li>
</ul>
<h3>Communication & Messaging</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>send_conversation</code> - Send messages to students</li>
<li><code>send_peer_review_reminders</code> - Automated reminder workflow</li>
<li><code>create_announcement</code> - Post course announcements</li>
</ul>
<h3>Discussion Management</h3>
<ul class="tool-list">
<li><code>list_discussion_topics</code> - View discussion forums</li>
<li><code>get_discussion_entry_details</code> - Read student posts</li>
<li><code>reply_to_discussion_entry</code> - Respond to students</li>
<li><code>create_discussion_topic</code> - Start new discussions</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section id="workflows">
<h2>Example Workflows</h2>
<div class="workflow-box">
<h4>📋 Monday Morning Check-In</h4>
<p style="margin-bottom: 16px; color: var(--color-text-secondary);">Ask: "Give me a status update on my courses"</p>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<span class="step-content">List your active courses</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<span class="step-content">Check recent assignment submissions</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<span class="step-content">Identify missing work</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">4</span>
<span class="step-content">Flag students needing attention</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="workflow-box">
<h4>📅 After Assignment Due Date</h4>
<p style="margin-bottom: 16px; color: var(--color-text-secondary);">Ask: "Assignment 3 was due Friday in BADM 350. Who hasn't submitted?"</p>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<span class="step-content">Get submission statistics</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<span class="step-content">List non-submitters (anonymized)</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<span class="step-content">Suggest sending reminders</span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="workflow-box">
<h4>👥 Peer Review Management</h4>
<p style="margin-bottom: 16px; color: var(--color-text-secondary);">Ask: "Check peer review completion for Assignment 2 in BADM 350"</p>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<span class="step-content">Analyze completion rates</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<span class="step-content">Identify incomplete reviews</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<span class="step-content">Assess review quality</span>
</div>
<div class="workflow-step">
<span class="step-num">4</span>
<span class="step-content">Suggest follow-up actions</span>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section id="advanced">
<h2>Advanced Features</h2>
<h3>Automated Peer Review Follow-Up</h3>
<p>Run a complete follow-up campaign:</p>
<pre><code>Ask: "Run a peer review follow-up campaign for Assignment 2"
This will:
1. Analyze completion
2. Identify incomplete reviews
3. Send targeted reminders
4. Generate a report</code></pre>
<h3>Bulk Grading (Code Execution API)</h3>
<p>For large-scale grading operations with custom logic, use the <a href="bulk-grading.html">Code Execution API</a> for 99.7% token savings:</p>
<pre><code><span class="code-keyword">await</span> bulkGrade({
courseIdentifier: <span class="code-string">"60366"</span>,
assignmentId: <span class="code-string">"123"</span>,
gradingFunction: (submission) => {
<span class="code-comment">// Custom grading logic</span>
<span class="code-keyword">return</span> { points: <span class="code-number">100</span>, comment: <span class="code-string">"Great work!"</span> };
}
});</code></pre>
<a href="bulk-grading.html" class="btn btn-secondary" style="margin-top: 16px;">Learn More About Bulk Grading →</a>
</section>
<section id="troubleshooting">
<h2>Troubleshooting</h2>
<h3>"Connection failed" or "Authentication error"</h3>
<ul>
<li>Check your Canvas API token in <code>.env</code></li>
<li>Verify Canvas URL is correct</li>
<li>Ensure token has instructor permissions</li>
</ul>
<h3>"No students showing" or "empty results"</h3>
<ul>
<li>Verify you have instructor/TA role in the course</li>
<li>Check if students are enrolled</li>
<li>Ensure assignments have submissions enabled</li>
</ul>
<h3>Anonymization Not Working</h3>
<ul>
<li>Set <code>ENABLE_DATA_ANONYMIZATION=true</code> in <code>.env</code></li>
<li>Restart Canvas MCP server</li>
<li>Check <code>local_maps/</code> folder is created</li>
</ul>
<h3>Need More Help?</h3>
<p><a href="https://github.com/vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp/issues">Open an issue on GitHub</a> for additional support.</p>
</section>
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<h3 style="margin-bottom: 16px;">Ready to Enhance Your Teaching?</h3>
<p style="color: var(--color-text-secondary); margin-bottom: 24px;">Follow the installation guide and start using AI-powered course management today!</p>
<div style="display: flex; gap: 16px; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap;">
<a href="index.html#install" class="btn btn-primary">Quick Start Guide</a>
<a href="bulk-grading.html" class="btn btn-secondary">Learn Bulk Grading</a>
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