What's new

Get started with Canvas now

If you're a course creator using Canvas for Fall 2024 courses or just want to try it out, follow this 5-point checklist to get started now.

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Login to your Canvas sandbox at canvas.ualberta.ca with your CCID 

Your sandbox can be used to stage your new Canvas courses before the Fall launch. Refer to this guide for more details, including how to request additional sandboxes if you are staging multiple courses.

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Get familiar with the in-app Canvas training portal

Learn how to get started with Canvas on-demand learning resources including in-app tutorials, videos, announcements, and more.

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Learn how to set up your Canvas course in 30 minutes or less

This short video series from the Instructure Community walks you through the basics for quickly setting up a course in Canvas.

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Optional: Watch Canvas Sneak Peek recordings

These recordings offer a deeper dive into key concepts taught by Canvas experts at the U of A Festival of Teaching and Learning in May 2024.

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Need technical support? Contact eclass@ualberta.ca

Watch Canvas Sneak Peek learning workshop recordings

Watch closed-captioned recordings of hands-on, in-person learning workshops hosted by Canvas experts May 7-9, 2024. These videos guide instructors on how to use essential Canvas features including the U of A course template, all in a safe sandbox environment that lets you design and test your course before it goes live. With your sandbox access, you can also use the online Canvas training portal.

Find more details below on the May 2024 workshops including links to agendas.

Explore Day 1 Topics

An Introduction to Canvas: Global & Course Navigation (1.5 hours) - This session introduces participants to the Canvas environment and global navigation. Attendees will explore account setup, personal preferences, and communication tools, such as the Inbox and Calendar. This session also provides an overview of the layout and features included in a Canvas course. Users will learn about the Course Navigation Menu and individual components that can be used to deliver content and assess student performance.

Content Authoring with the Rich Content Editor (1.25 hours) - This workshop provides a detailed exploration using Canvas’ main content building tool, the “Rich Content Editor'' known simply as the RCE. The RCE is what you will use to build most of the content in your courses to include: Homepages, Announcements, Content Pages, Assignment Instructions, Quiz Questions & Answers, Discussion Topics & Replies, Calendar Events and more! We will use Content Pages as our “canvas” to practice adding links, images, media and documents (hard drive or cloud based) for several use cases in your classroom. Along the way, we will share best practices for formatting, accessibility and tips for building content using the RCE.

Course Communication Tools (1.5 hours) - Student and Teacher communication is the backbone of effective classrooms. Numerous Canvas tools facilitate student dialogue for content analysis. Some of the specific tools highlighted in this session are class Announcements, Discussions, Calendar, and Inbox. This session also covers setting up contact methods and notification preferences. Trainers will share tools and strategies that can stimulate classroom debate, allow for brainstorming, and incorporate real-world content.

Assignment Submission Type Workshop (1.25 hours) - This session provides a detailed exploration of Assignment and Discussion options and use cases in the Assignment Index in a Canvas course. Participants will create and manage Assignments and Discussions, organize their Assignment index, and work to develop cohesive assignments for their courses. Users will explore assignment settings, applications, and other assignment tools.

Explore Day 2 Topics

Student Groups & Collaboration (1.5 hours) - This session introduces participants to collaboration features in Canvas, including discussions and group assignments. Participants will see how these tools can be used to infuse interactivity and cooperation in their classes. This session will also cover Peer Review set up for Graded Content.

The New Canvas Quiz Platform (1.25 hours) - This session will prepare instructors to use the Quiz tool in Canvas. Users will learn how to create quiz questions, customize quiz settings and differentiate assessment windows to students with the new quiz tool.

Interactive Video: The Studio Media Platform (1.5 hours) - Canvas Studio training is intended to provide an overview of how institutions can use Canvas Studio as a tool for engaging students, viewing student video interaction, and creating and assessing assignments. We will explore different use cases for Canvas Studio in the classroom.

Utilizing the Google Drive Integration (1.25 hours) - This session focuses on the integration between Canvas and Google, which makes it easier to leverage resources from instructors’ Google Drive directly into Canvas. This session showcases options for embedding content, facilitating collaborative opportunities, and creating cloud-based assignments with these external tools. Resource Guides can be found in our community.

Explore Day 3 Topics

Course Flow & Content Delivery with Modules (1.5 hours) - This session will teach you how to create flow within a course by organizing and delivering content with the Modules tool. You will learn how to create and manage content modules, leverage progress capabilities, and scaffold student access to course content.

Grading and Feedback Workshop (1.25 hours) - This session will explore the interface of the Canvas gradebook from the instructor and student perspectives. Users will experience the power of the Speedgrader and the various ways it can be used to provide timely and detailed feedback for students while making the grading process more efficient and enjoyable. Additionally, participants will learn how to create and utilize rubrics for assessing assignments.

Training to Trainer: Parts One and Two (THESE SESSIONS CLOSED TO FACULTY MEMBERS/ATS)

Short on time? Try these online learning resources from the Canvas Instructure Community to get started fast.

Additional learning opportunities coming August 2024

Latest Q&A

You have questions and we have answers. We’re still putting the plan together, but here’s what we know so far.

What learning opportunities will be available to help instructors transition to Canvas?

Our top priority is getting you ready to use Canvas. As part of your onboarding experience, in-person and virtual Canvas learning opportunities will be offered in August 2024 in time for Wave 1 (Fall 2024 term). This series of sessions will be repeated again before Wave 2 (Winter 2025 term) and Wave 3 (Fall 2025 term). Anyone can join the August sessions, regardless of which wave you’ll be teaching in Canvas. Watch for more details coming soon.

How do I get access to the Canvas test flight (sandbox)?

Starting May 6, 2024, any instructor or support staff involved in creating courses can try out Canvas in the U of A sandbox, including access to the online Canvas training portal. Simply follow these steps:


Can I use Canvas to create co-curricular learning opportunities?

Yes! Faculty and staff who create co-curricular learning opportunities will soon be able to stage courses in their Canvas sandbox. Co-curricular learning opportunities are for internal audiences, require a CCID to enrol, and do not require payment. Examples of co-curricular learning opportunities include: training needed for a cohort of students, student pre-laboratory access training, internal faculty and staff training and professional development. More information on how to set these up will be provided soon.