Canvas Self-Open Enrollment vs. Catalog Link Only Enrollment

[TomJansen1112]

Hi there,

What is the difference between having a Canvas course and...

1. enabling Self-Enrollment (Open Enrollment enabled on the account) using a join code or secret URL
2. using Catalog to create a Link-Only Listing?

Other than having to take the extra time to create the Catalog listing itself... LOL

Are their any functional/practical differences in these two approaches? Is one approach a better practice than the other?

The knowledge base guides I have seen really don't address this.

Thanks for your time!

-Tom

[jsowalsk · Accepted solution]

Being able to send a certificate of completion if modules are set up in the course with requirements and the use of the payment gateway. For just sending the link out from the Canvas course they use the join code to enroll versus getting sent a link and either enrolling by SSO or filling in the blanks through Catalog. Does that help?

[TomJansen1112]

Thanks!

That makes sense now that you say it.  Very helpful indeed!

[jsowalsk]

Great, glad to hear it. @TomJansen1112