Northwestern University Canvas Guide: A Comprehensive Overview
Canvas is Northwestern University's learning management system (LMS), used to share course content and files, submit assignments, post discussions, take quizzes, or collaborate with peers and instructors. While Northwestern instructors can decide how extensively to use Canvas in conjunction with their courses, most classes at Northwestern have an active Canvas course site. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Canvas at Northwestern, covering access, features, support, and best practices.
Accessing Canvas
Initial Account Creation
Incoming undergraduate and graduate students will have their Canvas accounts created either when they register for classes (in CAESAR) or when their program adds them to a course site to share information such as pre-enrollment instructions, placement exams, or other onboarding steps.
Login Procedures
Canvas, as well as several other university systems, uses single sign-on and Duo Multi-factor Authentication to ensure secure access for all users. To log in to Canvas, navigate to the Canvas Login page. The link for Canvas Administrators to log in to Canvas can also be found here.
Course Enrollment and Visibility
Enrollments in CAESAR-based courses pass from CAESAR to Canvas 2-3 times per day on a fixed schedule. For courses where students register in CAESAR, the corresponding Canvas course enrollment will be visible within 24 hours. Future, past, and current courses will appear on a student’s dashboard and/or in the All Courses link. Instructors typically publish course sites to students a few days before the start of the term. Any questions about Canvas course enrollment and access should be directed to Northwestern IT Support.
Key Features and Functionalities
Canvas allows Northwestern instructors and students to deliver course materials, submit assignments and assessments, view grades, and create learning activities.
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Global Navigation
Within Canvas, the global navigation menu is on the far left of your screen and contains quick links to things like your account settings, courses, and Canvas dashboard.
Core Capabilities
Canvas can be used to:
- Share course content and files
- Submit assignments
- Post discussions
- Take quizzes
- Collaborate with peers and instructors
Roles within Canvas
Primary roles within Canvas include Teacher, TA, and Student. Canvas Teacher allows teachers to manage their courses on mobile devices.
Extensions to Canvas
Teaching & Learning Technologies offers learning apps and digital tools to amplify the capabilities of Canvas.
Tool Spotlight: Miro
Miro is an online visual collaboration platform designed to help teams brainstorm, plan, and design in a shared digital space. Think of it as an infinite whiteboard where individuals and groups can take the kernel of an idea or goal and grow it into a fully realized plan.
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Support and Training Resources
Canvas support is available from Northwestern Information Technology and Instructure, which operates Canvas. Instructure is generally best for “how-to” questions. Find answers to commonly asked questions about using Canvas.
Canvas Learning Center
The Canvas Learning Center provides documentation and recommendations for the use of Canvas and related educational technologies.
Training Opportunities
Teaching & Learning Technologies offers the ability to extend the capabilities of Canvas courses with supported learning apps and digital tools. Hands-on Canvas and learning app workshops are offered on various topics for all levels. See the Training page for more information. Faculty course development opportunities are available for undergraduate and graduate-level instructors. To schedule a 1:1 consultation, see the Instructional Design Consultation Request page.
Automatic Transcription of Lecture Videos
A service to enhance the automatic transcription of lecture videos recorded with Panopto is available to instructors at no cost.
Mobile Accessibility
There is a Canvas student app available for iOS and Android. We recommend using the app for viewing course content and details, not submitting graded work. Learn more with the Canvas student app video guide or by selected the relevant Student app guide from the Canvas Mobile information page.
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Best Practices and Troubleshooting
Browser Compatibility
Users are advised to use Firefox or Chrome as their browser to access Canvas.
Resolving Display Issues
Most Canvas display issues can be resolved by clearing browser cache and cookies. The operational status of Canvas can be viewed at Instructure Status.
Access After Term Ends
Most courses at Northwestern go into a read-only state after the term for the course has ended. In this state, students can view most course content but not submit any work, view quizzes, post to discussions, etc. Students retain access to Canvas generally as long as they have an active NetID.
Important Policies and Guidelines
Copyright
Some of the materials on the Canvas learning management system are subject to copyright and may NOT be distributed beyond members enrolled in classes served by this learning management system. Students' use of these materials is limited to the term in which a course is taught.
Privacy
This system contains student records that fall under the regulation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Name and Pronoun Display
The name and pronouns displayed in Canvas match what has been entered into NUValidate, so students should update their profile in NUValidate (rather than Canvas) to ensure consistent information across all Northwestern systems.
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