Canvas Features and Navigation
So Many Links, Buttons and Tools
Introduction
Navigation on Canvas may be intimidating at first, but once you get a feel for it, it's easy to follow. This page will help you learn to navigate through Canvas. All of the links on this page will take you to the Canvas Student Guides Links to an external site. where you can learn more!
Dashboard
When you first login to Canvas, you have access to your Dashboard which lists all the Canvas courses that you are currently enrolled in. See more about the Dashboard below, under Global Navigation.
Home Page
Once you open a course, your Home page may vary. It may be a page with text, images, icons or video, or it may appear as an index of modules. Your Home page is determined by your instructor. Regardless, you will be able to navigate your Canvas courses through your Home page.
Course Navigation Menu
The Course Navigation menu is to the left side of your course, with a white background. Like the home page, the links will vary from course to course, based on your instructor's design choices. Typically it includes: Home, Announcements, Syllabus, Modules, a type of Assignment, and Grades. Other links will be present if they will be used in the course.
Syllabus Links to an external site.: Syllabus in Canvas is just like any ordinary one, but has an extra feature: a compiled list of assignments and their due dates. With this you'll be able to see what is expected of you in your class, as well as keep up when your assignments are due. This feature also coincides with your Calendar in the Global Navigation menu under the Humboldt logo.
Discussions Links to an external site.: Discussions are a way to communicate between your classmates and even your professor. Some instructors use Discussions in their grading scheme. You can create Discussions in your student groups as well.
Modules Links to an external site.: Modules is a unique feature to the way Canvas organizes your course material. In your Modules page you'll be able to see the break down of your course by week or topic, if your instructor uses this feature.
Quizzes Links to an external site.: Quizzes are where your teacher will test what you've learned, or ask you for class input in the form of a survey. There are many different types of quizzes.
Announcements Links to an external site.: Announcements are made for your teacher to keep in contact with the whole class if there are any important changes or notifications that need to be addressed.
Assignments Links to an external site.: Assignments will be assigned to you depending on your class and instructor. All the information you need for your assignment will be on an Assignment page.
Grades Links to an external site.: How do I view my grades in a current course?
Global Navigation Menu
The Global Navigation — which is the toolbar with white text and a green background, all the way to the left of the screen under the Cal Poly Humboldt logo — is constant, regardless of which course you have open.
At the top is your Account icon. Click it and this page will open up all your important information.
- Profile Links to an external site.: This is where you can keep all the information on yourself, your contact information, links to websites or portfolios. You can also upload your own image, take a picture, or get one from Gravitar.
- Settings Links to an external site.: You can customize the way you interact with your classes here and identify your pronouns.
- Notifications Links to an external site.: Notifications help keep you up to date with your class assignments and communications. In Notifications you can control how you receive information via email or text.
Groups Links to an external site.: If your instructor plans on students working in groups, you will be able to access the group to which you are assigned.
Calendar Links to an external site.: Calendar is a fully integrative function that helps keep you organized in all of your Canvas courses. You can easily view all upcoming assignments and exams via Calendar.
Inbox (Conversations) Links to an external site.: Here you can send and receive communications to and from your instructors in all your current courses.
History Links to an external site.: Review the most recent pages you visited in Canvas, up to the last three weeks. The most frequently visited pages will be at the top of the list.
Follett Bookstore Links to an external site.: Find the textbooks associated with your courses.
More about Modules
Within modules you will find different items or tools that your instructor has added for course materials and activities. Each icon helps you identify various Canvas items or tools.
Here is a brief overview of each icon:
- A piece of paper represents a Content Page. This page will have a lesson or instructions for your week from your instructor.
- A cloud with an arrow means you will encounter a download; PDF. Word Document or Excel sheet are just a few examples.
- A chain represents a URL link which may open in the same window or redirect you to another site.
- A circle with a Q represents a Quiz.
- A speech bubble icon represents a Discussion forum.
- A folded piece of paper with an A represents an Assignment. Follow the directions from your instructor.
The To-Do List
In the Dashboard view you'll find a handy to-do list Links to an external site.. The sidebar shows various action items in all your courses. Each item is associated with a specific course. All items from all your active courses display in the sidebar.
This list can help you keep up with assignments. But don't jump right to assignments without engaging with the instruction and learning activities! You need that instruction to be successful in the assignments.