Canvas for Parents

HOW DO I USE CANVAS AS A PARENT/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 A PARENT/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 asdk12.instructure.com. Parents will log in to Canvas with the username and password created when signing up for a Canvas account.

    1. Setting up a Canvas account.

       • Go to asdk12.instructure.com

         1. Click the “Parent of a Canvas User?” link.

         2. Fill in the information until you get to the Pairing Code.

         3. Enter Pairing Code in set-up screen (see next set of instructions)

         4. Click the box to agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

         5. Click Start Participating to finish set-up.

    2. Finding the Pairing Code (overview):

       • 1. Have your student open up Canvas.

         2. Go to Account and click Settings.

         3. On the right-hand side, click the Pair with Observer button.

         4. The code on the pop-up is the code you will use to pair with your student’s account.

       • If your child does not know his/her login, please contact your child's teacher for assistance.

Directions for linking multiple students can be found here.

Please note, your child must be enrolled in a course before you can observe.

WHAT IS THE CANVAS PARENT APP?

Parents can also access their child's courses in Canvas through the Parent App.

The Parent App will allow:

​1. Access to their child's courses

2. View past and upcoming assignments.

3. Check on grades

4. 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.

OBSERVERS CAN...

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.

OBSERVERS CANNOT...

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 and students 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.

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, but will come in handy when its time to edit a course Page [4].

• The Help link is very important. When you need assistance from your instructor or the Canvas Support Team, click the Help link [5].

The Course Navigation links on the left side of your screen help you get to where you want to go inside of Canvas. As an Observer, you will see up to 11 links. They are:

• Announcements

• Assignments

• Discussions

• Pages

• Files

• Syllabus

• Outcomes

• Quizzes

• Modules

• Conferences

• Collaborations

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, but will come in handy when its time to edit a course Page [4].

• The Help link is very important. When you need assistance from your instructor or the Canvas Support Team, click the Help link [5].

The Course Navigation links on the left side of your screen help you get to where you want to go inside of Canvas. As an Observer, you will see up to 11 links. They are:

• Announcements

• Assignments

• Discussions

• Pages

• Files

• Syllabus

• Outcomes

• Quizzes

• Modules

• Conferences

• Collaborations