User Roles and Permissions Available in Canvas (Instructors)

In Canvas at TWU, permissions allow users to access certain features and perform certain functions. Roles are collections of permission that are setup by the Canvas System Administrator.

A user's permissions are determined by the role(s) the user is assigned. Roles and their permissions are cumulative. If you add someone to your course shell multiple times, assigning that person a different role each time, this user will have the combined permissions of each role you assigned.

Following are the course roles currently available in Canvas at TWU:

• Teacher - For instructors who need full access to the Canvas features for instruction and full access to Grades to view and edit student grade information.

• TA - For teaching assistants who need full access to the Canvas features for instruction and full access to Grades to view and edit student grade information.

• Non-Grading TA - For teaching assistants who need full access to the Canvas features for instruction and no access to view and edit student grade information.

• Designer - For instructional designers and team members with similar responsibility who write and manage course content, do not actually teach courses or grade student work.

• Student - For students officially enrolled in the course only. These are added systematically from the TWU student information system into Canvas every 24 to 48 hours.

• Peer Tutor - A facilitator or coach in the course offering additional services (e.g., study sessions, one-on-one tutoring) to students in the course. Peer Tutors are not officially enrolled in the course and have the same permissions as a Student in the course. If your Peer Tutor needs additional permissions, add them into the course as a TA or Non-Grading TA. 

• Observer - For users who have no official role in the course, but have been given permission to view course content and discussions.

• Service Provider - A Service Provider, either an interpreter or a CART writer, has to be added to a Canvas course to provide accommodations for a student. CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) is a stenotype machine, notebook computer and real-time software that instantly translates spoken language into text which can be displayed on a display system for students who require this service. Contact Disability Services for Students for additional information.

NOTE:

1. The Instructor of Record needs to be aware of the Intellectual Property Policy. Only add users as Teachers in your Canvas course if you agree to give these individuals permission to access and reuse your course materials.

2. Users in the Teacher and TA roles can view and edit student grade information. Any user who is assigned one of these roles must complete FERPA training before being added to the course.

3. Any user with the Teacher role can add additional users with Teacher, TA, Non-Grading TA, Peer Tutor, Designer, and Observer roles into the course. Use the Login ID (TWU Username) option to Add Users to a Course.

4. Teachers cannot add users with the Student role. Students must be officially enrolled in the course and are systematically added into Canvas every 24 to 48 hours.

Technical Support

1. Canvas Support will be available 24/7 by phone, live chat, or email through the Help menu within Canvas after you have logged in. For more information see How to Contact Canvas Support.

2. If you are unable to log in, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 940-898-3971 or servicedesk@twu.edu for assistance.