Instructors
Students

How do I publish my course?
Click the publish button found at the top right area on your Home page, choose the homepage (if you don't know what to choose, choose Course Activity Stream), click Choose and Publish. Confirm by the Course Status on the Home page. https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-13030

How are Canvas tools compatible with OWL Space tools?
Find out here

How do I build my courses in Canvas?
Please follow this link to our Best Practices module.

Does Canvas have a tool like Email Archive from OWL Space?
OIT has created course specific mailing lists for each individual course section for your use. Information and instructions on using these mailing lists can be found at https://canvas.rice.edu/courses/299/pages/mailing-list-for-class . If you need to view the archived email message, follow these steps - https://canvas.rice.edu/courses/299/pages/viewing-archived-mail .

How do I add TA's (or anyone else) to my course?
Go to People from the course menu, click "+People", select 'Login ID', add one Net ID per line (Net ID only, no @rice.edu), then select the role and proceed. (How to add participants.)

My student can't see XYZ. What's going on?
First, check to see if your course if published. If it is, check to see if your quiz, assignment, module or file is published.
- If students can't see a file you connected via a link, make sure you didn't connect a file from OWL Space or another course in Canvas.
- If students can't see a file in Files, make sure that the parent folder is published.
- If students can't see an assignment or a quiz, check the release date.
- If students can't see an assignment or a quiz, and you are delivering it through modules, make sure both assignment/quiz and module is published. Also check the release date of module.
You can also use "Student View" feature to see what students are seeing. You can find this button on the front page.

How do I stop releasing grades as I grade the homework?
You can mute assignments in Grades - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2823 .

Can I customize the front page?
Yes - Most common way is to create a custom page and designate it as your front/home page. Follow some suggestions on this page.

I don't see my course in my Dashboard.
Dash board is like your browser bookmark. You can customize what shows up by visiting Courses => All courses in the global menu (navy background). Click on the star to place your course in Dashboard. To remove a course from Dashboard, click on the yellow star.

I need help with publishing my syllabus.
You can choose to place your entire syllabus in Canvas or just point to your PDF syllabus. Either way, your students will see assignments and calendar events in chronological order below your syllabus. Follow suggestions on this page.

How do I set up grade book categories & weighting?
Use Assignment Group feature. - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2625

How do I add columns in Grades?
"Columns in the Gradebook are only created by adding an assignment in Canvas. If you need to create a column in the Gradebook to use for manual grading, you can create a No Submission or On Paper assignment. "

I used to use Resources in OWL Space a lot. Where is it?
In Canvas, the area is now known as FILES. You can upload and share any file with your class. There are three settings in each folder and file; published, unpublished and restricted access. In order for your students to access your file, both file and the parent folder must be published. If you want your students to only access files via assignments or quizzes, use restricted access. You can find the detailed explanation in this link - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-4131#jive_content_id_Files .

A student needs an extension to take quiz/test or submit an assignment. What should I do?
At the bottom of Quiz or Assignment tool, you will find an area to set the dates. Just below that, you will find +Add button. Use it and designate the specific student to give her/him the custom due date.

How do a give extra time to a particular student for a timed quiz/test?
Use the Moderate This Quiz option once the timed quiz/test has been published. - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2984

My students tell me that they can add or edit their own grades. What is going on?
Students can approximate their grades in the Grades tool. The idea is for students to see "what grade I need to make an A in the course" - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-3151 .

How can I give Canvas feedback?

You can click on the HELP button from the global menu. You can submit a feature idea if Canvas lack something. Or simply click to report a problem that you can not do your work without such tool.

Where is the Drop Box tool?
Unfortunately, Canvas does not have the Drop Box feature. The following link provides the current solution. https://kb.rice.edu/page.php?id=72958

I can't create a folder in Files tool.
When creating a folder in Files, use "+Folder" button, type the name of the folder then use RETURN (Mac)/ENTER (Windows) key.

How do I hide course menu items?
In some cases, you don't want your students to see tools in the course menu. To hide them, go to "Settings" first. Then select "Navigation" from the row of top tabs. You can drag down the tools you don't want - just above save button. You can reorder the tools at the top as well. Once you are done, click save.

Can I create a custom menu?
Yes. Go to "Settings", then click on the "Apps" tab. Look for an app with this icon. Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 2.46.20 PM.png Click on the icon, click Add App, give a name that you want to see in the menu, place URL, click "Show in Course Navigation", then click Add app. The change will take place when you click on the Home (or other menus).

What is Speedgrader and how do I use it?
"SpeedGrader allows you to view and grade student assignment submissions in one place using a simple point scale or complex rubric." Here is the overview of the process - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-2583

How do I assign a different due date to a group or to a student?
In Assignment or Quizzes, you will find date settings at the bottom. Click "+Add" button to create the desired due date for a group or an individual student.

How do I undelete something?
It happens occasionally. We delete something and realize you deleted the wrong thing. Canvas has a nice 'undelete' feature. Follow this link for an instruction. It's REALLY easy. http://edtech.blogs.rice.edu/2016/08/25/help-i-deleted-xyz-in-canvas/

How do I create a new course?
Use the following form to request a new course.
- Canvas New Course Request Form

What is Chat?
Chat is a generic text chat. But you need to know that what you type there will be shared with your entire course - not with just one student. Text will be saved as well.

Are there mobile apps I can use?
Yes. Canvas App and Speedgrader App will be a great asset.

Will my course automatically populate with students?
Yes. Your course enrollment will be automatically updated twice a day.

How do I view my site as a student?
To access Student View, click Settings from the course menu, click "Student View" from the right column.

Can I have a demo/sandbox site?
Yes. Please send the email to helpdesk@rice.edu and request the site.

How do I set my profile picture?
Click on "Account" link at the top of the global menu (with navy background). Choose "Profile". Click on the default avatar to update.

I don't have access to Canvas.
Use this link to see if Canvas server is down. http://status.instructure.com/
Otherwise, you can send email to helpdesk@rice.edu or use the Help button at the bottom of the global menu (navy background).

I don't see my course.
Are you in Dahsboard? If so, go to Courses => All courses to see if you can find your current course there. If so, click on the star to pin that course in Dashboard and un-star the course you don't want to see in Dashboard.

Where is my assignment?
Typically you find your assignment in "Assignment" tool. If you don't see it there, look under Modules or, in some cases, under Files.

My teacher asked me to upload files to my group drop box. How do I access that?
This document explains how students can upload document such as Word, PowerPoint, and PDF, and share with your classmates in the specific group. Your instructor will create a special group and you will be notified that such group was created.

Where is my reading assignment?
You might find your reading assignments in Modules, Pages or Files area. Some faculty set their Modules content to be accessed in sequential order. You may not see the particular reading material until you go through all materials.

Where is my test/quiz?
Typically you find your test or quiz under "Quizzes". If you don't see it there, look under Modules.

How do I set my profile picture?
Click on "Account" link at the top of global menu (with navy background). Choose "Profile". Click on the default avatar to update.

Can I copy and paste from Word to Canvas text box?
Yes. In fact, If you need to write paragraphs, it is better to type in a word processor. You can save the file - in Canvas, if the browser crashed, you may lose everything you typed. And you can check spelling and grammar before pasting into Canvas text field. When you paste, make sure that you didn't paste formatting settings like
<w:document xmlns:wpc="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/word/2010/wordprocessing...>

How do I change the notification setting?
Click on "Account" link at the top of global menu (with navy background). Choose "Notification". WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAVE ANNOUNCEMENT NOTIFICATION DEFAULT. We don't want you to miss out on an important announcement from your instructor.

Where do I see my grade?
Look for "Grades" from the course menu. If you don't see it, then your professor has disabled it.

What is Chat?
It is a generic text chat for your course. BUT anything you type there can be seen by any member of the course including your instructors and TAs. All text typed will be saved by the system.

Can I forecast my course grade?
You can use "What-If" feature in the grade book - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-3151 .

I have many questions. Is there a site where I can look through to find multiple answers?
Try Canvas Student Guide page.

How do I approximate my assignment scores using the What-If Grades feature?
Students can view their grades based on What-If scores so that they know how grades will be affected by upcoming or resubmitted assignments. They can test scores for an assignment that already includes a score, or an assignment that has yet to be graded. See more details - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-3151 . Don't forget to revert the scores back to see your REAL grade!