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New Student Tech Bootcamp: Canvas

Information and resources for new students

Canvas

At Waubonsee, all online courses are delivered through Canvas, the college’s learning management system.

Students use Canvas to:

  • Access the course syllabus (class map), explaining the expectations and deadlines of the class
  • View online lectures
  • Participate in virtual discussions and chats
  • Submit assignments
  • Take exams and practice quizzes
  • Communicate with their instructors

This guide covers the basics of using Canvas at a student. Navigate through the tabs above to learn more.

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Because it's built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers. Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades. 

Supported Browsers:

Canvas supports the current and first previous major releases of the following browsers:

  • Chrome 89 and 90
  • Firefox 86 and 87 (Extended Releases are not supported*)
  • Edge 89 and 90
  • Respondus Lockdown Browser (supporting the latest system requirements)
  • Safari 13 and 14 (Macintosh only)

For more information, click here.

The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. The Dashboard helps you see what is happening in all your current courses.

200 - Canvas Overview for Students from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.

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View the script for this video

Related Canvas Guides

Canvas includes a set of default notification preferences you can receive for your courses. However, you can change the default settings by setting your own notification preferences. These preferences only apply to you; they are not used to control how course updates are sent to other users. 

Notifications are sent as one of four delivery types: notify me right away, daily summary, weekly summary, or don't send. If you change a setting, the change is made immediately to your account.

Notification settings apply to all of your courses unless you set notification preferences for individual courses.

102 - Notification Preferences from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
To view subtitles for this video, click the CC button in the toolbar.
Click here to view the script for this video

Related Canvas Guides

The Canvas Inbox is a messaging tool used to communicate with a course, a group, an individual student, or a group of students. You can use the Inbox to communicate with other people in your course, including your instructor, at any time.

You can use the Inbox to:

  • Send a message to someone in your course or group
  • Send a message to yourself (displays in your Sent folder)
  • Reply to messages from others in your course
  • Filter conversations by course or type
  • View and reply to assignment submission comments

104 - Conversations Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
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Related Canvas Guides

The Calendar is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. You can view calendar events by day, week, month, or agenda list. 

210 - Calendar Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

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Click here to view the script for this tutorial.

Related Canvas Guides

After logging into Canvas, you can view your current courses. You may also be able to view past and future enrollment courses in Canvas.

 animation of the process outlined below

  1. To access all courses that you are or have been enrolled in, click on the Courses icon in your Global Navigation. Your favorited courses are listed.
  2. Select All Courses to view all of your current and past course enrollments.

Current enrollments are shown at the top of the list with courses that you have already completed listed under Past Enrollments. 

Future Enrollments for upcoming terms are listed beneath Past Enrollments. 

Course Navigation

The Course Home Page helps you navigate your course and manage your coursework.  Course Home Pages can be different from one course to another based on what the instructor has chosen for the Course Home Page.  

animation of the process outlined below

All Home Page options include:

  • A sidebar with a to-do list that shows announcements and up to seven assignments that you need to submit
  • Links to Groups in which you are a member
  • A recent feedback section where instructor feedback and scores for your graded work can be seen

You can always get back to the Home Page by clicking 'Home' at the top of Course Navigation.

Related Canvas Guides

You can view all your course assignments on the Assignments page.

Notes:

  • Your instructor may choose to hide the Assignments link in Course Navigation. If the Assignments link is not available, you can still access Assignments through your user or course dashboard, the Syllabus, Gradebook, Calendar, or Modules.

202 - Assignments Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
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Related Canvas Guides

You can view quizzes in your course by accessing the Quizzes page. 

Note: Your instructor may choose to hide the Quizzes link in Course Navigation. If the Quizzes link is not available, you can still access Quizzes through other areas of Canvas.

208 - Quizzes Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
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Related Canvas Guides

Canvas Student Orientation

The Canvas Student Orientation is available to all students, right on their Canvas dashboard.

You may move through the Modules in order or, you can open only the Modules you would like to learn more about. The course is self-paced and you can refer back to it at any time as a reference.

Other Resources

Canvas provides free, 24/7 support to students:

Our Library Technology Support staff are also available to help students using Canvas. Use the Student Technology Assistance form in the ServiceDesk portal or call the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at (630) 466-4357.

If you want to learn more about a specific feature or function of Canvas, browse the links below.

You may be asked to complete certain tests or exams using remote proctoring software such as Respondus LockDown Browser or Proctorio. To learn more, please see the links below.

The Canvas Student mobile app is a powerful tool to stay on top of your coursework.

Set push notifications for important dates and deadlines, get alerts whenever an assignment or test is graded, keep your calendar at your fingertips, communicate with your instructors, and more - all from your mobile device. View the links below to learn more.

ServiceDesk for Student Tech

The college can provide technology loans to students in need. Available devices include laptops, wireless hotspots and webcams. Students can request an equipment loan through ServiceDesk or by calling the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at (630) 466-4357.

Our Library Student Technology Support staff provide free technical support for students.

We can help with:

  • Canvas
  • Microsoft Office (signing up for FREE, accessing on the web and/or installing the software on your personal device)
  • Zoom
  • mywcc
  • Accessing e-materials
  • laptops, phones and other electronic devices
  • ... and more!

To request 1-on-1 help, please use the Student Technology Assistance form in the ServiceDesk portal. Log in to ServiceDesk with your X-number and password.

For step-by-step instructions for using the ServiceDesk portal, please view the PDF below.