Top 5 Canvas Tips for Observer Desktop Experience

There is so much you can do in Canvas as an observer! Check out our top tips for setting up and using your Canvas parent observer account.

TIP # 1: Customize Your Dashboard

Your dashboard is the landing page when you sign in to Canvas. To help manage the courses associated with your child, you can color-code each course tile and/or give it a nickname. You can also drag and drop the course cards. To do any or all of these things, click on the vertical ellipsis at the top-right side of each course card, make your preferred changes, and click Apply.

TIP # 2: Customize Your Course Notifications

You can manage notifications for a single course on the Course Notification Settings page. Course notification settings only apply to the course in which they are set. To receive course notifications, you must first set your Canvas notification preferences. You can set the types of notifications that you would like to receive, the frequency with which you receive them, and the method in which that you receive them. The notifications can be sent to your email or as a text message directly to your phone. Be thoughtful when setting your frequency, as the number of alerts could become overwhelming. Be sure to determine which items are most important and how often you would like to know about them. Go to Account > Notifications and make your selection.

TIP # 3: View Course Calendars

See all the action in one place with the Calendar. You can view calendar events and assignments by week, month, or an agenda list. You can assign a color to each course and toggle courses on and off under Calendars on the right side of the page. To remove a course calendar from view, simply click the colored square to the left of the course name. Don't worry—you can always turn it back on by clicking the square again. Please note that o nly 10 course and group calendars will be shown at one time.

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TIP # 4: Communicate with Teachers

The Canvas inbox allows you to send messages to the instructor of a course using the Inbox feature located in the Global Navigation (far left sidebar). Just click Inbox and choose the course from the dropdown menu. Then, click the Compose a new message icon, select the teacher name and type your message. You can even send attachments or record audio or video.

TIP # 5: View Grades

If your child's teacher is utilizing Canvas Gradebook, you can view their progress by selecting View Grades from the dashboard for a high-level overview. If you would like to see a more detailed view of grades in a specific course, s elect a course card from the dashboard. Then when you are in the course, click Grades in the Course Navigation. You can view all assignments, due dates, statuses, scores, and feedback. You can even print the grade report.