Canvas for Parents and Guardians
HOW DO I USE CANVAS AS AN OBSERVER?
Parents have the ability to view their students’ course content (assignment due dates, assignments, course modules, etc.) by creating a Canvas “Observer” account that is linked to their student(s) account.
Note: If you have already created an account for the Canvas Parent App, you can use the same login credentials.
HOW DO I CREATE AN OBSERVER ACCOUNT?
To create an observer account and link to your student(s), you must obtain a student pairing code. Click here for complete instructions with visuals on how to generate a pairing code.
You will always login at ccsd.instructure.com.
Parents will log in to Canvas with the username and password created when signing up for a Canvas account.
Setting up a Canvas account.
Go to ccsd.instructure.com
Click the “Parent of a Canvas User?” link.
Fill in the information until you get to the Pairing Code.
Enter Pairing Code in set-up screen (see next set of instructions)
Click the box to agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.
Click Start Participating to finish set-up.
Finding the Pairing Code
Have your student open up Canvas.
Go to Account and click Settings.
On the right-hand side, click the Pair with Observer button.
The code on the pop-up is the code you will use to pair with your student’s account.
Directions for linking multiple students can be found here.
Please note, your child must be enrolled in a course before you can observe.
NAVIGATING AN OBSERVER PAGE
Observers can view Global Navigation, Course Navigation, Breadcrumb Navigation, Sidebar, and Help link.
The Global Navigation helps you get to where you want to go across all of your Canvas courses [1].
The Course Navigation helps you get to where you want to go within your Canvas course [2].
The Breadcrumb Navigation shows you where you have navigated to inside of a course and gives you a quick and easy way to move backward [3].
The Sidebar will be mostly empty for Observers. Depending on the page you are visiting, your student's upcoming assignments and events may be displayed [4]
The Help link is very important. When you need assistance from your instructor or the Canvas Support Team, click the Help link [5].
Note: Depending on your student's teacher, you may not have access to certain parts of the course.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN OBSERVER ACCOUNT?
In Canvas, parents function as observers. As an observer, you will have limited permissions that allow you to see what is going on in a course without interrupting or participating in the course.
Calendar
Observers can see all Events and Assignments due on the Calendar and filter the calendar view by the different courses the student is enrolled in
Modules
Observers can see see how a teacher has organized the course content by selecting Modules from the course navigation.
Grades
Observers can view Grades for the student(s) they are observing by clicking on Grades in the course navigation.
Announcements
Observers can take a look at the course announcements that the teacher has posted by clicking the Announcements in the course navigation.
Course Documents
Observers can view course docs in an inline document previewer and download docs onto their own computers.
Keep tabs on all of your student's grades.
WHAT CAN'T OBSERVERS DO?
In Canvas, parents function as observers. As an observer, you will have limited permissions that allow you to see what is going on in a course without interrupting or participating in the course.
Submit Assignments
There is no submission button on Assignment detail pages.
Take Quizzes
Observers cannot take Quizzes. There is no link to "Take this Quiz".
Join Course Groups
Instructors can create groups inside of Canvas that make it easy to collaborate in smaller groups. Observers cannot be added to or interact inside of Groups.
See Course Discussions
Because of student privacy issues, observers are not allowed to view class discussions.
Send Messages to Students
Observers can only send messages to Instructors (teachers). They cannot send messages to Students in the course.
See Course Rosters
Observers will not be able to see the names of enrolled Students or their Registered Services.
See Unpublished Courses
Like students, Observers cannot view a course until it is published and the course has started.
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT
Parents can also access their child's courses in Canvas through the Parent App.
The Parent App will allow:
Access to their child's courses
View past and upcoming assignments.
Check on grades
Receive course announcements and notifications.
Click here for information on downloading the Parent App for iPhone.
Click here for information on downloading the Parent App for Android.
Click the link above to practice your Canvas Observer knowledge.