Canvas BasicsIntro to Canvas

Estimated Time: Read 5 min. | Watch 3:30 min.

Welcome to Canvas

Canvas is a learning management system (LMS) where instructors can provide digital course resources and where students can complete and submit work.

In this module, you can learn how to complete work in Canvas by doing the following:

Read the content and watch the videos on each page and each tab.
Apply what you've learned by completing the "Optional Learning Tasks."
Read the additional information provided by links to websites and additional videos as needed.
Ask questions as needed.

All readings and tasks in this module are OPTIONAL and NOT REQUIRED.

Read & Watch

Click on each tab to read and watch the provided information.

Canvas Overview

Watch this 3:30-minute tutorial video for a Canvas Overview.

Click on the CC button (which looks like a square with lines at the bottom) to turn on the close captioning.

Click on the Settings button (which looks like a gear wheel) to change the caption language and playback speed.

Global Navigation

The global navigation bar is to the far left of your screen when in Canvas. It will remain static and available when you are inside your courses. A slide-out sidebar will appear when you click on some of the global navigation icons. Other global icons will redirect to the page for that navigation item. Here are some of the global navigation options:

The Account icon includes your profile picture.
- Click on this icon to set up your profile, add an email, and change your notifications.
The Dashboard icon looks like a speedometer. Your Canvas dashboard gives you access to all courses or your "favorited" courses.
The Courses icon looks like a book. Canvas Courses shows you all the courses you're taking; additionally, under All Courses, you can click on the star next to your current courses to "favorite" (only display these) courses on the Dashboard. (Star courses using a desktop/laptop computer; this function works differently in the mobile app.)
The Calendar icon looks like a calendar. Canvas Calendar shows you all the assignments and content pages with due dates color-coded for each course and any events your instructors have added.
- HINT: Be sure to select your current courses to see their due dates by clicking on the box to the right of the course name in the Calendars list. You can change the display color of each course as desired.
- Warning: The calendar does NOT always show all the required work in a course--just work with a due date. So, be sure to access all course content through Modules.
The Canvas Inbox icon looks like a piece of lined paper being put into a box. Canvas Inbox allows instructors and students to message one another within Canvas. [We will cover this in-depth later in this module.]
The Canvas Studio icon looks like a screen with cables. Studio allows all Canvas users to create videos. [We will cover this in-depth later in this module.]
The Help & More icon is a circle with a question mark. Canvas Help gives you access to Canvas Guides; additionally, you can access RCCD's 24/7 Helpdesk phone number and chat options.

Course Navigation

Multiple course navigation links help students move from one area of a course to another. Each class will have different links available depending on the instructor's preference. These are some possible links your instructor may give you access to:

Home -- The landing page for the course
Announcements -- The index page for all announcements sent by your instructor
Modules -- The index page for all modules in the course
Grades -- The grade book for the course
Discussions -- The index page for all discussions in the course
Assignments -- The index page for all assignments, discussions, and quizzes in the course
Quizzes -- The index page for all the quizzes and surveys in the course
People -- The index page for all the people and Groups in the course
Syllabus -- The page for the syllabus with a list of all assigned work at the bottom of the page

Each instructor decides which links to allow students access to. Additionally, there may be links to student resources in the course navigation bar, such as Zoom, Tutoring, Office 365, and other tools.

Bookmark: Additional Resources

If you have additional questions about Canvas, explore the Canvas Guides below. You can also bookmark these links for later!

Read and watch the information provided; then click NEXT.