Basic Canvas Tutorials

Getting started with Canvas?

Below you will find a variety of videos that will help you familiarize and start using Canvas.

Canvas Editor Box

The Canvas editor box is the same box that appears in Pages, Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions. Being familiar with all of the possibilities of this box will significantly improve your ability to create the content you want in Canvas.

NOTE: This video goes button by button. If you want to skip the row of basic formatting buttons, go to 4:30 in the video, which begins with the table button.

Canvas Editor Overview.mp4

Adding Links to Canvas Pages

Adding links is a foundational skill for most web tools. Below you will find a simple tutorial on creating links from words and images to websites outside of Canvas.

Canvas Adding Links.avi

Creating Buttons Within Your Canvas Pages

A button is simply an image that is linked to something else. The tutorial video begins with the button images already created. You can view a tutorial on creating those buttons here:

>>> Tutorial for Creating Button Images in Google Drawings.

You are welcome to use whatever image editor you like. Common examples might include MS Paint (included in the Windows accessories), PicMonkey, and Canva.

Once your button images are created, follow along with this tutorial to upload them to Canvas and use them as buttons.

Buttons in Canvas.avi

Canvas Calendar

Calendar allows you post events and assignments to a specific course. When assignments are created in calendar, the assignment is created in the grade book with the given day as the due date. Assignments can then be fleshed out or changed as needed.

Canvas Calendar.avi

Canvas Calendar Scheduler

The calendar scheduler allows you to create appointment slots. Your students can then sign up for appointments by clicking the slots on the calendar.

Canvas Scheduler.avi

Uploading Files to Canvas

Remember: if you want to insert files directly in a course, you must put those files in the correct course folder. When you are in a course and click "files," you are in that course folder by default.

>>> Instructure: How do I upload a file to my course?

Keyboard shortcuts referenced in video: Select all files: ctrl + aSelect all files in a series: click first file and then shift + click the end file. Select files out of order: click first file and then ctrl + click each file you want.
Canvas Uploading Files.avi

Using External Tools in a Canvas Page

External tools can be found under the "V" icon when in edit mode.