Canvas BasicsDashboard, Settings, & Notifications

Estimated Time: Read 5 min. | Watch 9:51 min. | Optional Learning Tasks: Varies by Individual

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Canvas Dashboard

Canvas Dashboard is the "landing page" after you sign into Canvas. It contains "course cards" that act as doorways into each of your courses. You can also see your "To Do" items for all courses as well as all "Feedback" on recently graded work.

There are three key ways to customize your Dashboard:

Turning color overlay on/off for the course cards.
Adding "nicknames" to courses and changing their accent colors.
"Favoriting" your current and needed courses.

Watch this 4:37-minute video to learn how to use the Canvas Dashboard.

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.

Account Settings

Account Setting gives users access to add an email address or cell phone. This information will be used when Canvas sends Announcements and Notifications. You can also register your Canvas account with Google (if you have a personal Google account). This will ensure you're ready to engage with potential Google Collaborations or to submit Google Docs to Assignments.

Watch this 2:18-minute video to learn how to use Settings.

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.

Notifications

Canvas will push you Notifications based on actions your instructor takes, such as posting a new Assignment, grading your work, and posting an Announcement. Having quick access to this information will help you stay on top of your work and due dates. You can set these Notifications to be delivered "Right Away," "Daily," or "Weekly."

Watch this 2:56-minute video to learn how to use Settings.

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.

Optional Learning Tasks

These optional learning tasks can help you succeed in Canvas.

Set up your Canvas Dashboard.
- Turn on/off Color Overlay on Course Cards.
- Add course "nicknames" & change accent color (as desired)
- "Favorite" current courses.
Set up your Account.
- Click on Account.
- Click on Profile.
  - Add a profile picture (a headshot of just yourself), an avatar, or a simple image to represent yourself.
- Click on Settings.
  - Add personal email (as desired).
  - Register a personal Google account (as desired).
- Click on Notifications.
  - Change notification status (as desired).
    - Recommended for daily Notifications:
      - Due Dates
      - Announcements
      - Grading
      - Submission Comment
      - Discussions: New Topic & New Reply

Bookmark: Additional Resources

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

Dashboard & "Favoriting" Courses
Account Settings to add email & register Google
Notifications

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