QuickStart Guides | Using Canvas

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introduction iconIntroduction

Your instructors are using the Canvas learning management system to share course content and assess your learning. Click on the links below to learn more about taking classes in Canvas.

Quicklinks

Need Help?

You can access all available user guides at Canvas How-To Guides Links to an external site.

Technology iconWhat Is Canvas?

Think of Canvas as the central location for

  • Accessing your course syllabus, readings, lecture slides, and other materials.
  • Receiving announcements from your instructor and communicating with your class.
  • Submitting your papers and assignments.
  • Taking online tests and quizzes.
  • Receiving instructor feedback.

Watch this video for a brief overview of the Canvas Student Classroom.
Canvas LMS - Student Orientation Tour Links to an external site. (10:57) | video is closed-captioned

Citation:

Canvas. (2017). Canvas LMS - Student orientation tour [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3j8V-uLkNw

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Technology iconThe Canvas Dashboard

When you first log in to Canvas, it has a Global Navigation Bar on the left-hand side of your screen. To access your courses, click on the “Dashboard” button. Once you are in the Dashboard, you can access the various classes you are enrolled in. See the article How Do I Use a Dashboard as a Student? Links to an external site. for help with navigating to your course.

In addition to accessing your course, you can also send and receive messages within Canvas from the Global Navigation Bar Inbox feature. You can use this feature to communicate with your instructor directly within Canvas. For help with the Inbox feature, read the article How Do I Use the Inbox as a Student? Links to an external site.

The Calendar Links to an external site. is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. You can view calendar events by day, week, month, and agenda list. The Calendar also includes access to the Scheduler, which is an optional scheduling tool in Canvas.

Value Adds

Consider using the Calendar to enhance your course in the following ways:

  • Copy down all due dates for assignments from the Calendar into your planner or personal calendar. This will ensure that you don’t forget a deadline!
  • Check the Calendar frequently in case due dates change.

Citations:

Canvas. (n.d.). How do I use the dashboard as a student? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10587-4212710330

Canvas. (n.d.) How do I use the inbox as a student? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10573-4212710324

Canvas. (n.d.). How do I use the calendar as a student? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10576-4212710322

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Introduction iconUpdating Your Profile

Once you are in Canvas, you’ll have an opportunity to update your profile. While adding a photo or adding a preferred name and contact information to your profile are optional (unless otherwise stated by your instructor), it is an important step to becoming an active member of your course community. Choosing an appropriate profile picture is similar to choosing a good social media profile picture, although you’ll want to make sure it is appropriate for an academic or professional setting. Consider these tips:

  • Show your face. It will help others connect with you in Discussion Forums and online.
  • Frame yourself. Some headshots are too close to the camera. Others are too far away. Make sure you are properly framed within the shot so people can see you clearly; your face should fill most of the image.
  • Turn up your smile. There are levels to the open expression on a face, from the scowling mugshot (“don’t you dare look at me”) to the high-beam open-mouth grin (“I love the world and everyone in it”). Research indicates that people are most likely to respond to high levels of openness, so consider amping up your smile.
  • Use contrasting colors. Just like when taking a selfie, your profile picture will pop if you and your clothing contrast with your background.
  • Simple background and dress. Avoid distracting backgrounds and clothing—and make sure they are appropriate for school.

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Assessment iconInside a Canvas Course

Once you are inside your course, you can access a new menu on the left-hand side.

Assignments

  • Click “Assignments” to view all assignments within a course. By default, assignments are grouped by overdue assignments, upcoming assignments, undated assignments, and past assignments.
  • You can submit online assignments in Canvas using several submission types. Instructors can choose what kind of online submissions they want you to use. You may also have the option to resubmit assignments if your instructor allows it.
  • You can submit assignments from Google Drive, Dropbox, or another third-party service via your desktop computer in one of two ways:
  • You can also submit assignments using your Android or iOS device.

Grades

  • The Grades page in a course displays all current grades for all course assignments. You can also view scoring details, comments, and rubrics. If your instructor is using multiple grading periods, you can also filter grades by grading period.
  • If you have any courses that have concluded and are able to access their content, you can view those grades from any active course. You can also view concluded course grades from the Global Navigation Menu.

Discussions

  • Choose “Discussions” from the Course Navigation Menu.
  • You can easily reply to any Discussion. However, the reply option may vary depending on how your instructor set up the Discussion. Discussion replies can be edited or deleted as long as your instructor has not restricted this setting in your course.

Citation:

Canvas. (n.d.) How do I upload a file as an assignment submission in Canvas? https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10663-421254353

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Quiz iconTaking Tests Online

Your instructor may administer tests, also known as assessments, through Canvas. While they will give you instructions on how to take tests, here are some general best practices and tips that can help ensure your success.

  • Confirm you have a good internet connection. Consider running a speed test in your search engine to check your connection.
  • Check to make sure you are using a preferred browser. Your instructor will probably provide you with a list of preferred browsers, but Canvas works best with the latest versions of Firefox and Chrome.
  • Open Canvas in only one browser tab.
  • Close other applications or programs before starting.
  • Use Canvas’ built-in navigation buttons—NOT your browser’s forward and backward arrows.

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Information iconCanvas Student App

Canvas also has a free mobile app available for iOS and Android that is specifically tailored to students. First, you must download the app to your device. To download from an iOS device, see the iOS instructions Links to an external site. for downloading. To download the app from an Android device, see the Android instructions Links to an external site. for downloading.

The app can allow you to view assignments, submit work, and more. To learn more about what the application can do on an iOS device, read the article: How Do I Use the Student App on my iOS Device? Links to an external site. To learn what the application can do on an Android device, see the article: How Do I Use the Student App on my Android Device? Links to an external site.

Value Adds

Consider using the mobile application to

  • Check assignments when you can’t access your computer.
  • Send a message to your instructor directly from your phone.
  • Check for any new announcements that have been made in the course.

Citation:

Canvas. (n.d.). Getting started in Canvas as a student. https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-18574-getting-started-with-canvas-as-a-student

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