Canvas – Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (2024)

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) at Iowa State University. It is an online platform where instructors will keep important class information. Students will interact with Canvas regularly to access course resources, complete assignments, and take tests.

Using Canvas in your course(s) helps achieve these goals and initiatives:

1. FERPA compliance. Canvas meets specific security standards that ensure student information is protected.
2. Consistency. Using Canvas means you and your students can find everything needed for the course in one place.
3. Eco-friendliness. Providing digital resources via Canvas saves paper and ink, resulting in lower costs for you, your students, and your department.
4. Transparency. Students always know where they stand in your course when assignments are submitted and graded through Canvas.
5. Continuity. Courses can be copied from semester to semester, allowing you to build upon existing resources.

Anyone with a Net-ID has access to Canvas at ISU. The first time you sign in to Canvas, your profile will be populated with your name, email address, and ISU ID number.

Canvas features numerous learning tools, such as:

• Modular content presentation
• Practice and graded surveys or quizzes
• Assignments which can be assigned to a group or individual
• Discussions and announcements can be used for regular class communication
• Collaboration tools for group projects
• Course Summary agenda with all due dates listed

Syncs directly to ISU’s student information system for automatic enrollment of Registrar data and midterm and final grade submission.

Connects to a large variety of external learning technology apps. ISU-approved apps can be found on the Learning and Teaching Technologies page.

Before Using Canvas

There are a few checks you will want to perform to ensure success in your course(s):

• What are Canvas’s technical requirements? Viewthe basic computer specifications for Canvas.
• Which browser should I use for Canvas?Seewhich browsers work best with Canvas.

Accessing Canvas at ISU

You will need to have your ISU Net-ID and password to log into Canvas. Then, open a web browser and navigate to Canvas in one of these ways:

• Go to your Okta dashboard (https://login.iastate.edu) and click the Canvas button. You may need to click +Add Apps and search for Canvas the first time.
• Type the Canvas web address directly into the browser’s address bar. The Canvas web address is http://canvas.iastate.edu.
• Navigate to the Iowa State University homepage, locate the “Sign Ons” link found on the upper right corner (above the search box), and then select “Canvas” from the menu.

Mobile users can also access Canvas by download the Canvas Teacher app:

• Download the Android Canvas Teacher app
• Download the iOS Canvas Teacher app

Note:If you have an issue logging in, visit theIT Accounts and Passwords website or contactthe Solution Center at 515-294-4000.

Locating Your Courses

When you first log in to Canvas, you will be directed to your Dashboard. The Dashboard is an easy way to access current courses. These same courses will be listed in the Courses menu. See theCanvas guide to customizing the course list and viewing all courses.

Note:Course creation is not an automatic process at ISU.Instructors must create each Canvas course by following the steps below.

Creating a Canvas Course

1. Log in to Canvas.
2. If creating a course for the upcoming semester, follow the steps in the Start of Semester Checklist.
3. To create a developmental course, use Global Course Administration to Request a New Course Shell.

Using Canvas

Search the Canvas Guides or browse the Instructor Guides by Canvas feature for detailed information on how to perform specific actions in Canvas. Additional resources are listed in the Online Documentation section below.

Creating Canvas Groups to Use with Other Tools

Within Canvas, instructors can create and assign students to groups, which can be used in other apps and tools. See the Canvas guide ‘How do I import groups in a group set?‘ for step-by-step instructions to:

1. Create the group set
2. Export a course roster
3. Assign students to the group
4. Upload the finalized file

Best Practices

• Use Canvas to curate course activities and materials. Learn from CELT’s Universal Design for Learning,Accessible Course Design guide.To discuss a student’s accommodation, contact theOffice of Student Accessibility Services.
• Encourage student engagement.There are great ways to incorporateactive learninginto an online space so that students have a variety of ways to participate in and engage with the course. For example, discussion forums can be an excellent tool for facilitating responses to reading, quiz features can assess student learning outside of class, and chat features can assist student dialogue in coordinating student projects. Check out some of CELT’s suggestions for facilitatingAssignments,Discussions,Quizzes and Exams.

Syllabus Statement

Add the statement below to the required technologies section of your syllabus.

This course will use Canvas for all course-related activities and communication. Visit the Canvas learning tool guide to view the terms of service, privacy policy, accessibility statement, and steps for getting started.

Accessing Canvas at ISU

You will need to have your ISU Net-ID and password to log into Canvas. Then, open a web browser and navigate to Canvas in one of these ways:

• • Go to your Okta dashboard (https://login.iastate.edu) and click the Canvas button. You may need to click+Add Appsand search for Canvas the first time.
  • Type the Canvas web address directly into the browser’s address bar. The Canvas web address ishttp://canvas.iastate.edu.
  • Navigate to theIowa State University homepage, locate the “Sign Ons” link found in the upper right corner (above the search box), and then select “Canvas” from the menu.

Mobile users can also access Canvas by downloading the Canvas Teacher app. Note:If you have an issue logging in, visit theIT Accounts and Passwords websiteor contactthe Solution Center at 515-294-4000.

• Download the Android Canvas Student app
• Download the iOS Canvas Student app

Setting Up Your Profile and Notifications

• Update your profile and user settings: read the guideor watch the video.
• Specify your notification preferences: read the guideor watch the video.

Managing Your Visible Courses

• When logging in to Canvas, you will be directed to your Dashboard. The Dashboard is an easy way to access current courses. These same courses will be listed in the Courses menu. See the Canvas guide to customizing the course list and viewing all courses.
• Note: Not all courses at Iowa State use Canvas. If you do not see your course on the Dashboard, contact your instructor first, as they may not yet have made it available or may not be using Canvas.

Using Canvas for Classes

Search the Canvas Guides or browse the Student Guides by Canvas feature for detailed information on how to perform specific actions in Canvas, a few common actions are listed below.

• Communicating in Canvas. You can use Conversations to communicate with other users in Canvas. Read how to use the Conversations Inbox or watch the Conversations Overview video.
• Using the Calendar. The Calendar is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. Read how to use the Calendar or view the Calendar (Students) video.
• Posting a Discussion Entry. You can easily reply to any discussion. However, the reply process varies depending on the type of discussion. Read how to reply to a discussion or view the Canvas Discussions video.
• Quick Guide to Quizzes. See also the Quizzes (Students) video.
  • Taking a Quiz — Learn how to take a quiz in Canvas.
  • Submitting a Quiz — Learn how to submit a quiz in Canvas.
  • View Quiz Results — Your instructor may or may not permit you to see your quiz results. Learn how to view quiz results in Canvas.
• Viewing Your Grades.The Grades page in a course displays all grades, scoring details, comments, and rubrics. Read how to view your grades or watch the Student Grades video.

Additional resources are listed in the Online Documentation section below.