Canvas Essentials
Get comfortable with the core features of Canvas at your own pace. Select a workflow below to explore curated guides, videos, and tip sheets.
If it is your first time teaching in Canvas and you are looking to focus on core elements for day 1, prioritize resources under Canvas onboarding. You can always keep building your course behind the scenes during the term!
Canvas onboarding
Start here if you are setting up your Canvas course for the first time or need a quick refresher before the term begins. The curated resources below focus on the absolute essentials, in order, so you can launch your course with confidence.
- Getting your Canvas course ready in a day | Master Canvas essentials quickly by learning how to request courses, add content, set up assignments, create quizzes, and grade online work.
Read tip sheet | ▶ Watch video (1 hr 4 min) - Canvas course readiness checklist | Review this checklist to ensure you are ready for your first week of class in Canvas.
Make a copy of the checklist - Top 5 questions about setting up a course | Review answers and expert guidance for the five most common questions instructors ask when setting up a Canvas course.
▶ Watch video (27 min)
Want to be even better prepared?
- Troubleshooting common mistakes instructors make | Identify and fix common course design pitfalls.
▶ Watch video (22 min) - Fine-tune your Canvas quiz settings | Quickly configure Canvas quiz settings to ensure they align with your expectations.
▶ Watch video (5 min)
Course setup + structure
Setting up a logical course structure is key to reducing student confusion and repetitive questions later in the term. Use the curated resources below to customize your syllabus, course content, and navigation menu for a seamless start to the semester.
- Creating a new course using the U of A Canvas template | Explore a pre-built sample course to learn how to structure and design your Canvas content using the official U of A template.
▶ Watch video (40 min) - Canvas course readiness checklist | Review this checklist to ensure you are ready for your first week of class in Canvas.
Make a copy of the checklist - Simple Syllabus for instructors | Quickly create and manage your course syllabus in Canvas.
Read tip sheet | ▶ Watch video (10 min) - 3 Ways to Declutter Canvas | Tidy up your Canvas course by simplifying the navigation menu, organizing modules with clear sequential labels, and hiding unnecessary content.
▶ Watch video (5 min)
Want to be even better prepared?
- Troubleshooting common mistakes instructors make | Identify and fix common course design pitfalls.
▶ Watch video (22 min)
Assessments + grading
Setting up assessments and managing grades shouldn't feel overwhelming. The following resources walk you through the tools you’ll use the most. Create quizzes and assignments, configure your gradebook, and use SpeedGrader to grade efficiently.
- Basics of creating and grading assessments in Canvas | Learn core Canvas assessment tools to create quizzes, grade assignments in SpeedGrader, and manage the gradebook.
If you only have time for one video, start with this foundational video for a complete overview!
▶ Watch video (37 min) - Gradebook made simple | Track student progress, automate grade calculations, and provide timely feedback using Canvas Gradebook to reduce administrative workload.
Read tip sheet | ▶ Watch video (12 min) - Fine-tune your Canvas quiz settings | Configure Canvas quiz settings to ensure alignment with your expectations and goals.
▶ Watch video (5 min) - Grading online quizzes in Canvas | Use SpeedGrader to efficiently grade Canvas quizzes.
▶ Watch video (23 min) - Using Canvas Rubrics to reduce marking workload | Streamline grading and communicate clear success criteria to students using Canvas Rubrics and SpeedGrader.
▶ Watch video (30 min)
Want to be even better prepared?
- Quiz management and accommodations in Canvas | Learn how to manage time settings, accommodations, and special circumstances, such as deferrals and exemptions.
▶ Watch video (34 min)
Student engagement + success
Setting your students up for success goes beyond just posting course content. This section provides ready-to-use resources to help your students navigate Canvas confidently, along with tools for organizing collaborative group work.
- Top 10 Canvas tips to share with your students | Get a curated list of top resources and tips to copy-paste and share with your students to help them navigate Canvas.
[See the top 10 tips] - Group work in Canvas | Set up groups, create group assignments, and preview the student interface to manage collaborative work in Canvas.
[▶ Watch video (14 min)]
Expand your Canvas toolkit
Comfortably set up with the basics? Take your course to the next level by visiting our Canvas Toolkit.
Discover innovative teaching ideas, explore advanced features, and use our interactive search tool to find resources tailored to your specific teaching goals.