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 then click Publish. More instructions for publishing your course.

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

How do I build my courses in Canvas?
Please sign up for a workshop or a one-on-one session.

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, check that the link works properly.
- 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 right hand side of the home page.

How can I message my students?

On the Global Navigation bar, click on Inbox. Here you can sort by course, message everyone in a course, message everyone in a certain role in a course (all students, all TAs etc), or message a specific person or group of people.

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

How do I stop releasing grades as I grade the homework?
You can change the Grade Posting Policy on the course or assignment level.

Can I customize the front page?
Yes - The most common way is to create a custom page and designate it as your front/home page.

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.

How do I set up grade book categories & weighting?
Use the Assignment Group feature.

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. "

Where can I put files?
In Canvas, the tool is called 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. Detailed information about 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 them 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.

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". These actions DO NOT change anything in your official gradebook. More information about "What-If" Grades.

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 lacks something or report a problem if something is broken.

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 to just above the save button. You can reorder the tools at the top as well. Once you are done, click save.

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.

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. You delete something and realize you deleted the wrong thing. Canvas has a nice 'undelete' feature. Follow this link for instructions. It's REALLY easy.

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 and cannot be deleted. Use this tool with caution.

Are there mobile apps I can use?
Yes. Canvas Teacher App and Speedgrader App.

Will my course automatically populate with students?
Yes. Your course enrollments 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. You can also see "Student View" on the right hand column on the home page.

Can I have a demo/sandbox site?
Yes. Please send an email to teaching@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 at the far left). 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.
Otherwise, you can send email to teaching@rice.edu or use the Help button at the bottom of the global menu (navy background at the far left).

I don't see my course.
Are you in Dashboard? 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 courses 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.

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 before it.

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

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 there; in Canvas, if the browser crashes, you may lose everything you typed. And, you can check spelling and grammar before pasting into Canvas text field.

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

Where do I see my grade?
Look for "Grades" on 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.

I have many questions. Is there a site where I can find multiple answers?
Try the 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. You can use "What-If" feature in the grade book. They can test scores for an assignment that already includes a score, or an assignment that has yet to be graded. Don't forget to revert the scores back to see your REAL grade!