Canvas LMS - Student Orientation Tour

Welcome to Your Canvas Online Classroom

Overview of the Dashboard

• The dashboard displays course cards for each current course, showing the name and term. Icons indicate available features like announcements and discussions.

• Clicking on a course card allows access to that specific course for further engagement.

ToDo List and Course Requirements

• The ToDo list on the right side shows assignments, quizzes, and discussions with due dates; however, not all activities will appear here. It's crucial to consult the syllabus for additional requirements without due dates in Canvas.

• Users are encouraged to manually add non-dated tasks to their calendar for better organization. For instance, reading or watching videos may be necessary before completing a quiz shown in the ToDo list.

Customizing Your Dashboard

• Users can customize their dashboard by assigning nicknames and colors to courses via a menu button on each course card. Additionally, they can switch views from Course Card View to Recent Activity for a summary of recent feedback and announcements.

• Only currently active courses are displayed on the dashboard; past enrollments can be accessed through the Courses icon on the left sidebar. Users can select which courses appear using the Star Icon next to each course name.

Managing Account Settings

Profile Setup

• Access account settings by clicking Account > Profile; users can edit their profile by adding photos, display names, biographical information, and links for classmates and instructors. Don't forget to save changes!

Notification Preferences

• In Settings, users can manage communication preferences by adding email addresses or phone numbers for notifications about course updates via text messages or mobile app alerts. This is essential for staying informed about important communications from instructors or classmates.

• Notifications can be customized based on urgency (Right Away, Daily Summary) across different platforms (email vs Canvas App). Immediate notifications are recommended for new announcements or conversation messages within Canvas as these require timely responses.

Utilizing Your Canvas Calendar

Calendar Features

• The Calendar tool displays items with set due dates such as assignments and quizzes; users can also add custom events like reminders for readings or discussion posts that aren't officially due yet by clicking the Plus Button or selecting a date directly on the calendar interface.

• It’s important to note that only final due dates are shown by default; preparatory steps should be added manually by users for comprehensive planning purposes. Users have options to view their calendars in Weekly, Monthly, or Agenda formats depending on preference.

Integration with Other Calendars

• Users who utilize other calendar applications (Google Calendar, Outlook) can subscribe to their Canvas Calendar using a provided Calendar Feed link ensuring all academic commitments are consolidated in one place while maintaining visibility across platforms.

Communication Tools: Inbox Messages

Managing Conversations

• The inbox tool functions similarly to email within Canvas where users can read conversation messages filtered by criteria such as starred or unread messages.

• Essential tools at the top allow starting new messages, replying directly within conversations, archiving old messages, or deleting them as needed ensuring effective communication management throughout your coursework experience.

Canvas Online Classroom Overview

Messaging in Canvas

• You can send messages to instructors and students within your course through Canvas, including attachments and videos.

• To write a new message, select the relevant course first, then choose recipients from the directory.

Course Homepage Navigation

• The homepage features a Course Navigation menu on the left with items specific to that course. On the right are "To Do" and "Coming Up" lists for course-specific tasks.

• The main content area typically contains a welcome message or basic information about the course; instructors may customize this layout.

Understanding Modules

• Modules organize course content by subjects, chapters, or weeks; they guide students through required materials sequentially. In this case, modules are organized by week.

• Each module includes an overview and specific tasks such as readings and quizzes that must be completed in order before progressing to subsequent modules.

Navigating Module Items

• Within each module item, you will find "Next" and "Previous" buttons at the bottom of pages for easy navigation between items like syllabus information and introduction videos.

• Different icons represent various types of module items (e.g., Content Pages, Discussions), indicating their nature at a glance. Some modules may be locked until previous ones are completed.

Tracking Grades

• Access grades via the Grades button in Course Navigation to view all graded items listed by due date along with scores and possible points available for each assignment.

• The interactive Grades view allows you to input hypothetical scores ("What if" scenarios) to see how they would affect your overall grade percentage. This feature helps in planning study efforts effectively.

Accessing Syllabus Information

• Syllabus information is accessible both through individual modules and directly via the Syllabus Tool button in Course Navigation, providing comprehensive details about assignments and due dates all in one place.

Getting Help with Canvas

• If assistance is needed, use the Help Button located at the bottom of Global Navigation to contact your instructor or access 24/7 Canvas Support for technical issues or guidance on using Canvas effectively.