Outcomes API

API for accessing learning outcome information.

An Outcome object looks like:

{
  // the ID of the outcome
  "id": 1,
  // the URL for fetching/updating the outcome. should be treated as opaque
  "url": "/api/v1/outcomes/1",
  // the context owning the outcome. may be null for global outcomes
  "context_id": 1,
  "context_type": "Account",
  // title of the outcome
  "title": "Outcome title",
  // Optional friendly name for reporting
  "display_name": "My Favorite Outcome",
  // description of the outcome. omitted in the abbreviated form.
  "description": "Outcome description",
  // A custom GUID for the learning standard.
  "vendor_guid": "customid9000",
  // maximum points possible. included only if the outcome embeds a rubric
  // criterion. omitted in the abbreviated form.
  "points_possible": 5,
  // points necessary to demonstrate mastery outcomes. included only if the
  // outcome embeds a rubric criterion. omitted in the abbreviated form.
  "mastery_points": 3,
  // the method used to calculate a students score
  "calculation_method": "decaying_average",
  // this defines the variable value used by the calculation_method. included only
  // if calculation_method uses it
  "calculation_int": 65,
  // possible ratings for this outcome. included only if the outcome embeds a
  // rubric criterion. omitted in the abbreviated form.
  "ratings": null,
  // whether the current user can update the outcome
  "can_edit": true,
  // whether the outcome can be unlinked
  "can_unlink": true,
  // whether this outcome has been used to assess a student
  "assessed": true,
  // whether updates to this outcome will propagate to unassessed rubrics that
  // have imported it
  "has_updateable_rubrics": true
}

An OutcomeAlignment object looks like:

{
  // the id of the aligned learning outcome.
  "id": 1,
  // the id of the aligned assignment (null for live assessments).
  "assignment_id": 2,
  // the id of the aligned live assessment (null for assignments).
  "assessment_id": 3,
  // a string representing the different submission types of an aligned
  // assignment.
  "submission_types": "online_text_entry,online_url",
  // the URL for the aligned assignment.
  "url": "/courses/1/assignments/5",
  // the title of the aligned assignment.
  "title": "Unit 1 test"
}

Show an outcome OutcomesApiController#show

GET /api/v1/outcomes/:id

Scope: url:GET|/api/v1/outcomes/:id

Returns the details of the outcome with the given id.

Returns a Outcome

Update an outcome OutcomesApiController#update

PUT /api/v1/outcomes/:id

Scope: url:PUT|/api/v1/outcomes/:id

Modify an existing outcome. Fields not provided are left as is; unrecognized fields are ignored.

If any new ratings are provided, the combination of all new ratings provided completely replace any existing embedded rubric criterion; it is not possible to tweak the ratings of the embedded rubric criterion.

A new embedded rubric criterion's mastery_points default to the maximum points in the highest rating if not specified in the mastery_points parameter. Any new ratings lacking a description are given a default of “No description”. Any new ratings lacking a point value are given a default of 0.

Request Parameters:

Parameter Type Description
title string

The new outcome title.

display_name string

A friendly name shown in reports for outcomes with cryptic titles, such as common core standards names.

description string

The new outcome description.

vendor_guid string

A custom GUID for the learning standard.

mastery_points integer

The new mastery threshold for the embedded rubric criterion.

ratings[][description] string

The description of a new rating level for the embedded rubric criterion.

ratings[][points] integer

The points corresponding to a new rating level for the embedded rubric criterion.

calculation_method string

The new calculation method.

Allowed values: decaying_average, n_mastery, latest, highest

calculation_int integer

The new calculation int. Only applies if the calculation_method is “decaying_average” or “n_mastery”

Example Request:

curl 'https://<canvas>/api/v1/outcomes/1.json' \
     -X PUT \
     -F 'title=Outcome Title' \
     -F 'display_name=Title for reporting' \
     -F 'description=Outcome description' \
     -F 'vendor_guid=customid9001' \
     -F 'mastery_points=3' \
     -F 'calculation_method=decaying_average' \
     -F 'calculation_int=65' \
     -F 'ratings[][description]=Exceeds Expectations' \
     -F 'ratings[][points]=5' \
     -F 'ratings[][description]=Meets Expectations' \
     -F 'ratings[][points]=3' \
     -F 'ratings[][description]=Does Not Meet Expectations' \
     -F 'ratings[][points]=0' \
     -F 'ratings[][points]=0' \
     -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>"

curl 'https://<canvas>/api/v1/outcomes/1.json' \
     -X PUT \
     --data-binary '{
           "title": "Outcome Title",
           "display_name": "Title for reporting",
           "description": "Outcome description",
           "vendor_guid": "customid9001",
           "mastery_points": 3,
           "ratings": [
             { "description": "Exceeds Expectations", "points": 5 },
             { "description": "Meets Expectations", "points": 3 },
             { "description": "Does Not Meet Expectations", "points": 0 }
           ]
         }' \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>"
Returns a Outcome

Get aligned assignments for an outcome in a course for a particular student OutcomesApiController#outcome_alignments

GET /api/v1/courses/:course_id/outcome_alignments

Scope: url:GET|/api/v1/courses/:course_id/outcome_alignments