1.2 | Accessing Canvas
What Parents & Guardians Need to Know
Types of Parent & Guardian Access
There are two ways parents can observe their student's Canvas courses: as an Observer in Canvas from a desktop computer or as an Observer via the Canvas Parent App. It is important to note that as a parent or guardian, you need to be paired to a student with a pairing code. The username and password that you set in Canvas will be the same for the Canvas Parent mobile app. Please note that this is just a brief introduction to the type of access you have as a parent. We will explore each of the roles in greater detail in the upcoming modules.
Canvas Feature Comparison: Desktop/Laptop vs. Parent Mobile App
Canvas Feature |
Desktop/Laptop |
Parent Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| View Calendar Events | ✅ | ✅ |
| View Assignment Due Dates | ✅ | ✅ |
| View Assignment Details | ✅ | ✅ |
| View Announcements |
✅
|
✅ If enabled by the instructor |
| View Syllabus | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access Course Content and Modules | ✅ | ✅ |
| View Student Submissions | ✅ | |
| View Assignment Feedback | ✅ | |
| View Assignment Scores | ✅ | ✅ |
| View Quiz Scores and Feedback | ✅ | |
| Message the Instructor | ✅ | |
| Configure account & notification settings | ✅ | |
| Set alerts about your students' course activity | ✅ |
#1 Canvas Observer Role from Desktop/Laptop
Using a desktop or laptop computer, the Canvas Observer role allows parents/guardians to view their students’ course content (assignment due dates, assignments, course content, grades, feedback, etc.). When a parent creates a Canvas “Observer” account, they have the ability to pair with their student's account and follow their student in Canvas. Here is more information on Parent Visibility/Participation as an Observer. Links to an external site.
#2 Canvas Observer Role from Parent Mobile App
The Canvas Parent app is a streamlined mobile application that allows parents or guardians to have access to important class information right at their fingertips. With the Canvas Parent app, you can view a student’s course events, upcoming assignments, and grades. You can also add and view multiple students in your account. Compared to the desktop experience, the app is a simplified view of the student course calendar, grades, and assignments. The Canvas Parent app is available to parents and guardians using iOS or Android devices.
System Requirements
Canvas is easy to access and easy to use, which helps make teaching and learning easier. To learn more about technical requirements, please see the following:
*Note: The best user experience will be provided in the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox internet browsers.