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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 questions about getting started with Canvas 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?
Due to complexities with FERPA compliance, a risk of lost course materials, and technology integration issues, DVC’s Distance Education Committee and Academic Senate recommend instructors do not combine sections on Canvas, except when courses are already cross-listed in the schedule and meet at the same times.
IMPORTANT: Please carefully review the DVC Canvas Combined Sections Recommendation for alternatives and instructions:
- to create and download an export of any existing materials before proceeding
- to keep student interactions separate by section
- to request combinations through InSite
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
If you want students to have access prior to the course start date, you can change your settings from the default term dates to course dates you specify. Students should not be participating in a course outside of term dates, so please limit access to view only if you choose to do this. Learn how to edit your course start date on Canvas.
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 any requests for shells that are student-facing. Then, submit the Non-instructional Canvas Shell Request Form. If you have questions, please reach out to Kat King.
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:
Settings (display name, pronouns, and notifications)
101 - User Settings from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.
- Canvas Instructor Guide: Profile and User Settings
- Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I designate pronouns on Canvas?
- DVC Guide: How do I edit my display name on Canvas?
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)
- 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