Canvas (canvas.umn.edu) is the UMN Learning Management System (LMS), an online platform used by instructors to provide learning materials and activities that may supplement a face-to-face or blended course, or deliver a fully online experience. Additional learning tools can be added to Canvas to extend the core functionality and features of the system.
Students use Canvas to access course material, submit assignments, take quizzes, view grades, and interact with classmates and instructors through online discussions and direct messaging.
Academic Canvas course sites (based on PeopleSoft course and enrollment information) are automatically created several months before a semester starts. Instructors will see their course sites in MyU (myu.umn.edu) in the Teaching tab.
Canvas Basics for Instructors
- OIT's Canvas webpage has good practices, how-tos, resources, and self-help guides.
- For instructors: Canvas’ How To Instructor Guide
- Canvas Essentials, is an asynchronous micro-course that reviews the Canvas interface, tools, features, and guides you through general course design decisions and activities to get your site ready for the start of the semester.
Canvas Template
The CLA Canvas template is based on weekly pages. To see an example or to apply the current semester template to your Canvas course site, see details or contact Silke Moeller (smoeller@umn.edu).
CLA has created a video on how to use the CLA Canvas Template.
Canvas Resources to Share with Students
- Canvas: Getting Started for Students
- Where to find feedback
- What-If Grades allow students to calculate their total grade
- Online Learning Tips
- Learning Online 101, a self-enroll, self-paced Canvas site for students. Students earn a badge for completing this course.
- How to view feedback on Canvas assignments, [Video 1:31]
- Watch AI Ethics & Efficacy, April 2024 [Video 28:00]
Canvas FAQ
- What is cross-listing in Canvas and how do I do that as an instructor?
- If you have multiple sections to cross-list, contact Silke Moeller (smoeller@umn.edu)
- How do I use colors and icons in the Canvas Gradebook?
- How to use Speedgrader?
- How can I give Feedback to Students?
- Leaving comments for students in the Gradebook
- Adding comments for students in Speedgrader
- Quickly send a message to students directly from the Gradebook
- creates individual messages to students who have not yet submitted, scored above or below a specific grade, or haven’t been graded
- Canvas Assignment Rubrics
- How to request a non-academic Canvas site?
- Contact Silke Moeller (smoeller@umn.edu) to allow self-enrollment for a Canvas site
- Understanding Roles Types in Canvas
- How to update course material in Canvas, supported by the Libraries
Semester Canvas Site Checklist
For a comprehensive checklist to get your Canvas site ready for your students: Canvas Start-of-Semester Checklist.
Digital Accessibility
- The 7 Core Skills and the Foundations Training
- In Canvas:
- Self-paced training on Digital Accessibility:
- Create Accessible Canvas Course Sites
- Slide Presentations
- Documents
- PDFs
- Web Conferencing/Zoom (in development)
- Universal Design of Instruction (UDI), Definition, Principles, Guidelines, and Examples
- Guide for Inclusive Teaching (Columbia University), Moving Toward Inclusive Excellence - Checklists (MCAT)
Canvas Design Tool
Design Tools for Canvas (overview and resources)
Design Tools: Make a Page or Assignment Template (step-by-step)
Canvas: Text Books & Course Materials
Canvas has different ways to share course material (textbooks, journal articles, media resources) with students:
- Linking course material in Canvas
Documents, PDFs, and images can be uploaded to the Canvas site. These course files can be linked using the Canvas Editor. Modules or Pages can also have external links.
- Using the Publisher Canvas Integration
Several Publishers have Canvas Integration for student textbook access. In the future, these Publisher Integrations will be part of Course Works. For information, contact your Publisher representative.
- Using the UMN Library Course Material (formerly Course Reserves)
Instructors can provide a course reading and media list to the Libraries. They will provide access to these media in under the Library Course Material tab in the Canvas course navigation. The Libraries ensure copyrights and work with instructors to find relevant media.
- Course Works (new in Fall 2024)
The Course Works tab in the Canvas main (global) navigation will be the student's textbook shelf for all semester courses.
| Christina Wiencke Associate Director of Curriculum & Instruction S257 EltH | 626-1732 choldvog@umn.edu |
Heidi Wolff Curriculum and Graduate Services Specialist S258 EltH | 624-5002 hwolff@umn.edu |
Silke Moeller Academic Technologist N211 EltH | 625-0644 smoeller@umn.edu |