Canvas Navigation

This video provides an overview of basic Canvas navigation, including the dashboard, global navigation, and sidebar. The video also identifies the main areas of an individual course.

300 - Canvas Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

Once you have an idea of how to navigate within Canvas, take a moment to set up your profile on Canvas and determine your notification preferences.

Account Settings

To set up your profile and contact information, first, select the "Account" tab in the global navigation and select "Settings." From here, you can add an avatar or profile picture by clicking on the circle and selecting an image on your computer. Alternatively, you may also select "Take a picture" if you have a webcam.

You can also click "Edit Settings" in the left sidebar to update pertinent information such as your name, language preference, and time zone. If you make changes to any of these, make sure to select "Update Settings" to save your changes.

View this brief walk-through video for additional information about settings and adding methods of contact.

Notification Preferences

Canvas also allows you to control the type and frequency of notifications you receive. By taking a few moments to review your notification preferences, you can ensure you stay informed of what is most important to you regarding your courses.

This brief video provides further details about selecting your notification preferences. It is essential you review this information and determine the preferences that work best for you. Keep in mind that the notification preferences you select here will apply to all courses you teach in Canvas. If you prefer to read about selecting your notification preferences, you may do so by reviewing: How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as an instructor?

The majority of instructors prefer to select the checkmark icon ("Notify me right away") as the option for course announcements. This allows you to confirm that a course announcement you create or that was created in one of your courses was sent via email to the students and others in the course.

annoucement notification