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Canvas Faculty Guides
DVC, like all California Community Colleges, utilizes Canvas as our Learning Management System. Learn how to leverage Canvas to support student success through our frequently asked questions, guides, workshops, and support.
Find answers to common Canvas questions below:
How do I get training in Canvas?
We highly recommend taking our Self-paced Beginner's Guide to Teaching with Canvas for a comprehensive, step-by-step overview of designing your Canvas shell.
- View the Canvas Instructor Quick Guide.
- Check the Canvas Faculty Guides in the next tab.
- Enroll in a Canvas workshop through GROW@4CD.
- Watch a recording of a prior workshop for flex credit through the GROW@4CD Playlist.
- Drop-in support available online in DVC's Digital Learning Lab or on campus in the Staff Development Lab.
- Make a one-on-one appointment with a "Panda Pro" (a Canvas coach).
When are Canvas sites created?
Canvas sites are created automatically each term through District IT, typically seven weeks before the start of that term.
How do I access/log into Canvas?
Use your InSite username and password to log into our DVC Canvas site: dvc.instructure.com
Forgot your username or password? Contact District IT:
- email IT-help@4cd.edu
- call 925-229-6888
Are there any Canvas materials to help me get started?
- Many departments host Canvas sites with support materials for their instructors. Please contact your department chair with inquiries.
- The college provides an optional course template and design materials. Learn more by clicking the "Course design resources" tab on Online Teaching Tips.
How do I combine sections on Canvas?
Sometimes instructors choose to combine sections on Canvas when teaching more than one section of the same course.
IMPORTANT: The process of combining sections will erase any existing content in your Canvas
shells. Before combining sections, be sure your Canvas shells are empty, or create and download an export of any existing materials to import into your newly combined sections.
To request combined sections:
- Log into InSite.
- Click the "Resources" tile.
- Click "Canvas Combine Sections."
- Be sure to review the instructions for keeping interactions between students in differing sections separate (FERPA) before completing your request. (Learn how in the Guide to Combined Canvas Sections and FERPA.)
See Requesting a Canvas Combo Site for instructions with screenshots.
When can students see our Canvas shell?
Students will not see your Canvas shell until:
- the first day of the term AND
- you publish your course
How do I request an additional Canvas shell?
Sandbox courses are available for faculty to work on course design, for departments, and for faculty training needs. Please email Jeanette Peavler and/or Kat King with your request.
Please review the Non-instructional Canvas Shells Guidelines for other any requests for shells that are student-facing. Then, submit the Non-instructional Canvas Shell Request Form.
How do I copy content from one Canvas shell to another?
Learn how to finalize grades, download course content for your records, and copy Canvas content in our End-of-semester Canvas and Tech Wrap Up guide.
Check out our Canvas Basics guides below with on-demand video and text-based tutorials:
Home page
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I create a new page in a course?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I set a home page in a course?
Course navigation
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I manage course navigation links?
Announcements
- DVC Guide: Canvas Announcements
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I show recent announcements on a course Home Page?
PDF and image files
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I upload a PDF to a Canvas course?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I embed an image in a Canvas page?
- Learn about linking live docs from OneDrive/Google Drive
- Tip: Check to make sure you have Accessible Word Docs and Accessible PDFs
Pages
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I create a new page in a course?
Assignments
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I create an assignment in a course?
Discussions
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I create a discussion?
Quizzes
- Canvas Instructor Guide: Quizzes
- Canvas Instructor Guide: New Quizzes
Modules
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I create a module?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I add content to a module?
Gradebook
310 - Gradebook Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I use the Gradebook?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I select a grade posting policy for a course in the Gradebook?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I weight grades?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I drop the lowest score in a grading category?
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I curve grades in the Gradebook?
Student feedback: Speedgrader
Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I leave feedback comments for students in Speedgrader?
Publishing your site
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I publish a course?
Copying content
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I copy content from one semester to the next?
- See DVC's End-of-semester Canvas and Tech Wrap Up guide for additional tips about copied content.
Canvas Commons
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- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I import from Commons?
- DVC Guide to Importing from Commons (with links to local course templates and support materials)
Designating pronouns
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I designate pronouns on Canvas?
- For comprehensive training in Canvas, we encourage instructors to take the Beginner's Guide to Teaching with Canvas.
- Additional Canvas trainings are available during flex week and throughout the fall and spring terms. Enroll in upcoming workshops (and trainings through affiliated organizations) in GROW@4CD.
- You can also view recordings of prior sessions for flex credit through the GROW@4CD Playlist.
24-7 Canvas support
- 24-7 Chat:
- Log into Canvas.
- Click "Help" in the global navigation menu.
- Click "Chat with Canvas Support (Faculty)."
- Canvas DVC Faculty Support Line: 1-833-221-7461
- One-on-one appointment with a "Panda Pro"
- Canvas Instructor Guide (text-based with screenshots)
- Canvas Video Guides for Instructors
- Canvas - Ask the Community
DVC support
- Drop-in support available online in the Digital Learning Lab or on campus in the Staff Development Center.
- Contact:
- Jeanette Peavler, Canvas Administrator: jpeavler@dvc.edu
- Crystala Button, Technology Training and Development Coordinator: cbutton@dvc.edu
- Kat King, Instructional Technologist: kking@dvc.edu