Overview

There are a few different types of Embedded Data Fields in Qualtrics LTI. There are Fixed, Teacher Selection, and Student Selection data fields. This article will go over the basics for Student Selection Data Fields. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• Recap: Embedded Data Fields
  • Data Sent to Qualtrics 
• Student Selection Data Fields
  • Use Case & Example

Recap: Embedded Data Fields

Embedded data fields (EDFs, or ‘data fields’) that have been activated on a survey will retrieve data from the source that has been chosen. For instance, a ‘Fixed → User parameter’ EDF will retrieve a value from Canvas’s LTI custom fields when the student launches the survey.

One of these field types, ‘Selection’, allowed teachers or admins to select from a list of values (e.g. teacher names), which then sets the value of that embedded data field for all responses gathered through that Canvas assignment.

This has now been renamed to “Teacher Selection” data fields, to distinguish between the new student selection data field.

Data Sent to Qualtrics 

There are several different options for what data is sent to Qualtrics for each data field that is set up. These are a few common options: 

• id: The ID of the Canvas assignment, which is typically at the end of the assignment URL e.g. 456
• name: The name of the Canvas assignment, e.g. "Course evaluation survey".
• original_assignment_id: Only applies to assignments that were copied. The ID of the original Canvas assignment from which this one was copied.
• original_assignment_name: Only applies to assignments that were copied. The name of the original Canvas assignment from which this one was copied.
• html_url: The URL to the assignment's web page.

See here for a description of the attributes that Canvas offers for assignments. Note that for the original_ keys, they will not return any data if the assignments are not copies/duplicates.

Student Selection Data Fields

‘Student Selection’ EDFs work just like ‘Teacher Selection’ EDFs. However, instead of the teacher selecting a value when setting up the Canvas assignment, the student will select a value when they open the assignment before they are redirected to the survey.

This allows for selection from data specific to the student. We currently support selecting from a list of assignments that have been assigned to that student (within the course).

Use Case & Example

A common use case for this new data field is to allow students to request extensions on a Canvas assignment. This type of extension request survey can be configured with the following steps: 

1. The root account admin creates a new Data Field of the Student Selection type.

Fig. 1: A screenshot of the ‘Add Canvas data field’ modal, showing a new data field called ‘Assignment name’ being set up as a ‘Student Selection’ type with ‘Student’s assignment within the course → name’ set as the data source and data sent to Qualtrics.

2. The root account admin or instructor adds a new Qualtrics survey to their account and activates the new data field.

3. The root account admin or an instructor attaches the survey to a new Canvas assignment.

4. A student opens the assignment. The first time a student opens an assignment with a Student Selection EDF enabled, they will need to authorize the Qualtrics LTI in their Canvas environment, by clicking on the “Click here to authorize” button.

5. Once authorized, the student is able to select from a list of assignment names in the dropdown menu.

6. The student clicks ‘Next’ and is redirected to the survey, which has been given the value that they selected as an Embedded Data Field. 

7. In the Qualtrics survey Data & Analysis tab, the instructor or admin can see the student responses to the survey questions, along with all embedded data fields collected. They can do this by clicking on the column chooser button, and selecting the embedded data fields that they would like to see in the table. If the student selection EDF is selected, they will be able to see which assignment the student selected when they filled out that survey.