Canvas is an online platform that instructors, students, and staff can access to access and exchange information on coursework, assignments, and grades.
Read the following for answers to your most common Canvas questions.
Canvas is a web browser-based application that you can access from your Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android devices. Although it supports the current versions of most commonly used browsers, for best performance, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are recommended.
See the Browser and Computer Requirements for Canvas.
You can use your CNetID and password to log in to canvas.uchicago.edu.
Your default email address in Canvas should be your @uchicago.edu address. Do not change it to an address with a different domain name, such as chicagobooth.edu or bsd.uchicago.edu. Using an address that does not end in @uchicago.edu can cause problems when you use integrated learning tools such as Box within Canvas.
If you are enrolled in a course through the Registrar, you should automatically have access to a course once enrollment data is updated. Updates usually take place within twenty-four hours, but this may vary depending on departmental approval and other factors.
If you are registered in a course but you do not see it in your dashboard, there may be a few reasons:
Instructors can customize the course navigation menu and add/remove these items.
Your instructor may organize course material within Canvas in a number of ways. We list a few common methods below:
Modules is a tool used to consolidate all course content into structural components. Within a module, students can click Next at the bottom of a page to advance to the next item. Module content can be grouped by week, topic, or day.
Instructors may set up modules to require students to complete materials sequentially. Should you leave the module for any reason, you can always return to it by clicking Modules in the course navigation menu. You can save your place in a module by opening links in a new tab. Just follow these commands:
A page allows instructors to create text and multimedia content. Instructors may link to these pages on the Home or Syllabus page; or, depending on the course setup, you may be able to view a list of pages by clicking Pages > View All Pages at the top of the page.
Canvas is a browser-based application that can be used on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a current web browser. It supports the current and first previous major releases of the most frequently used browsers. It is highly recommended that all users update to the newest version of their internet browser and plugins. Chrome and Firefox are the recommended browsers.
If the primary purpose of the course site is to distribute course files, your instructors may enable the Files link and use folders to organize all course files.
Note: You can download multiple files. To select files:
Windows: Ctrl+click to select multiple, non-consecutive files; Ctrl+Shift+click to select multiple consecutively listed files.
Mac: Command+click to select multiple, non-consecutive files; Shift+click to select multiple consecutively listed files. Alternatively, your instructor may activate the Canvas-UChicago Box integration and share course files via UChicago Box. If this is the case, you will see a Box link in the course navigation menu. The interface will guide you through the setup process.
Canvas automatically collates links belonging to the same category of course activities, such as Assignments, Google Doc Collaboration, Discussion boards, and Quizzes. If your instructors enable these links in the Course Navigation Menu, you can quickly navigate to a particular item using these links.