In Canvas, content is organized into Modules. Modules can be accessed by clicking on the "Modules" link on the Course Navigation Menu, or by clicking on the individual Module button on the Course Home Page. The Module Index Page will provide a list of all course modules, and the content contained. Click the name of the module to expand or collapse a module. To access content within a module, click on the item to open it. Once in a content item, use the "Previous" and "Next" buttons located at the bottom of each page to navigate through the content in the module. For more information, read the "How To" document How do I view Modules as a student?Modules
Completing Coursework (Assignments)
Discussions
Discussions are online bulletin boards, where users can read and respond to others' posts which are called Threads. Discussions allow users to have a virtual, asynchronous conversation. Most Instructors will provide a link to the discussion within the module. To access the discussion, click the provided link. Discussions can also be accessed by clicking the "Discussions" link on the Course Navigation Menu. Once in a discussion, students can post a response by clicking the "Reply" button directly below the instructor's prompt. Other student's responses will be listed beneath the initial prompt. To reply to another student's post, click the "Reply" link directly beneath the post you want to reply to. Enter the response in the provided text box, then click the "Post Reply" button to save and publish the post. For more information, read the "How To" document How do I reply to a discussion as student?
Assignments
Usually, Instructors will provide a link to an assignment within a module. To access an assignment, click the provided link. Assignments can also be accessed from the Course Activity Stream, Grade Book, and Canvas Syllabus by clicking on the assignment link. For more information on accessing Assignments, read the "How To" document How do I view Assignments as a student?
To complete an Assignment, click on the Assignment title to open it. The Assignment page will have the information and instructions for the assignment. Click the "Submit Assignment" button located toward the top right of the page. Next, select the Submission Type. Instructors can allow a variety of submission types for an assignment such as file upload, text entry, website URL, and media. The most common types are file upload and text entry. To upload a file, click the "File Upload" tab at the top, then the "Choose File" or Browse button. Then select the file from your computer. If you want to type in your assignment, click the "Text Entry" tab at the top, then either type or copy and paste the assignment into the provided text box. The Rich Content Editor can be used to format text and add media (audio, video, image). If any, comments about the assignment submission can be added in the provided Comments field. Click the "Submit Assignment" to electronically turn the assignment in. For more information on submitting an Assignment, read the "How To" document How do I submit an online assignment?
Quizzes (Tests)
In Canvas, Quizzes and Tests are synonomous. Instructors will normally provide a link to a quiz (test) within a module. To access a quiz (test), click on the provided link. Quizzes (Tests) can also be accessed from the Course Activity Stream, Grade Book, and Canvas Syllabus by clicking on the quiz (test) link. The Quiz (Test) Information will appear at the top, including the due date, points, number of questions, availability and time limit. Instructors can control what options a student has on a quiz, and how the quiz will appear to them. To begin the quiz (test), click the "Take the Quiz" button. In a quiz, students may see all of the questions listed on the same page, or only one. If only one question is displayed, click the "Next" button at the bottom to proceed to the next quiz question. There are a variety of quiz question types available in Canvas including Multiple Choice, True/False, Fill in the Blank, Fill in Multiple Blanks, Multiple Answers, Multiple Dropdowns, Matching, Numerical Answer, Formula Question, Essay, File Upload, and Text. Each question type will require students to respond differently. Responses may include selecting the correct answer(s), typing an answer, selecting the answer from a drop down menu, and uploading a file. When complete, students will need to click the "Submit Quiz" button to turn in their test. Instructors may allow the students to view their quiz responses, results, correct answers and feedback when the quiz has been completed. For more information on taking a quiz in Canvas, read the "How To" document How do I take a quiz?
Grades
Students can access and view grades for all enrolled courses from the Dashboard by clicking the "View Grades" link on the right sidebar menu; or while in a specific course by clicking the "Grades" link on either the Course Navigation Menu or Course Home Page. The Grades Page displays all course assignments (discussions, assignments, quizzes, group work, etc.) and the associated grades in chronological order. Assignments can be accessed by clicking on the Assignment name on the Grades Page. The Grades Page allows students to (1) Sort or filter the grade display, view the (2) assignment name, (3) due date, (4) assignment status, (5) grade earned, (6) total point value of the assignment, (7) scoring details, comments, and/or associated rubric, (8) assignment type icons for unsubmitted assignments, and (9) an option to print your grades for the course. Flags next to assignments will indicate if they were submitted Late or are Missing (not submitted). To view Instructor feedback, click the feedback icon next to an assignment. For more information on Grades in Canvas, read the "How To" document How do I view my grades in a current course?
Communication (Conversations (Messages))
Conversations is the messaging tool in Canvas, which allows students to communicate with the instructor and (when permitted) other students in their courses. Conversations can be accessed by clicking the "Inbox" link on the Global Navigation Menu. The Conversations Index Page will have two columns. All conversations (threaded or organized messages) will be displayed chronologically on the left side. The right side will display a selected Conversation. The toolbar has options to (from left to right) Filter the Conversations display (all courses or a specific course), Display the entire Inbox or filter by message type, Compose a New Message, Reply, Reply All, Archive, Delete, Settings, and a Search Messages field. To start a conversation, click the "Compose a New Message" icon on the Conversations toolbar at the top. A new window will pop up, select the course, the recipient(s), enter a subject, and type the message in the provided text box. Click the "Send" button to send the message. For more information on Conversations, read the following "How To" documents: How do I use Conversations as a student?, How do I send a message to a user in a course in Conversations as a student?, and How do I reply to a message in Conversations as a student?
Contact the Instructor
Students can contact the instructor direcly in Canvas. Instructors may provide their contact information and preferences on the Instructor Contact Page located in the Course Information Module. Students should contact the instructor via the instructor's stated preferred method. Students can contact the instructor using Conversations, from the Help Menu, or from links provided on the Instructor Contact Page. To message the instructor from the Help menu, click the Help link on the Global Navigation Menu. Select "Ask Your Instructor a Question" from the menu. Use the pull down menu to select the course you have a question in, then type your Message in the provided text box. Once complete, click the "Send Message" button to message your Instructor.
