Canvas logo, red circlular designCanvas Student Guides and FAQ

Whether you are in a face-to-face, partially online, or fully online class, DVC instructors use Canvas to communicate with students.  Instructors use Canvas to share learning materials, post and collect assignments, and transmit feedback and grades.  On the course start date, you will see a new tile for each class you are enrolled in on your Canvas Dashboard.

Accessing Canvas/Getting started

How do I access Canvas?
  • Log into InSite (via the website or app) and click the Canvas tile.
  • Alternatively, you can visit dvc.instructure.com and log in with your InSite username and password.
  • Or, from the DVC homepage, click Canvas from the top menu to access the Online Learning and Canvas landing page.  On this page, click "Log into Canvas" and enter your InSite username and password.  
How do I add my Canvas courses for this term?
  • Courses you are enrolled in will automatically appear in your Canvas Dashboard, usually starting the first day of the term. 
  • If you don't see your courses automatically, check to see if they are in another spot.  In the global navigation menu on the far left, click "Courses," then click "All Courses."  Here is where you will see a list of all the Canvas courses you have taken at DVC, past and present.  Any courses with the star highlighted will show up in your Dashboard.  If you see a course in this list you would like to show up in your Dashboard, click the star next to the course name.   
I don't see all my courses in Canvas. Help!
  • All hybrid and online classes should have a Canvas shell.  If you don't see a face-to-face course, your instructor may have chosen not to publish his/her Canvas shell. 
  • Confirm your enrollment in the class through InSite. 
  • If you are enrolled via InSite, email your instructor to see if he/she plans to publish and use Canvas to communicate with students.  Check your course syllabus for your instructor's preferred method of contact and/or check out the DVC Faculty Directory. 
I just added a course, but I don't see the Canvas course in my Dashboard. Help!
  • There is a slight delay between the time you accept add authorization for a class and the time your class will appear in Canvas.  InSite "talks to" Canvas periodically through each day.  If your instructor is using Canvas, your class should appear within 6 hours.
 
How do I get my Canvas Expert Badge?
  • canvas expert badgeTake our student Canvas training course and get your Canvas Expert Badge!  (Typical time to complete is 30 minutes.)
Where can I get help with technology basics?
Is there a Canvas Quick Guide?
  • Yes!  Our one-page Canvas Student Quick Guide can help you get started familiar with Canvas even before you have access to your dashboard.

Using Canvas

How do I navigate Canvas?

200 - Canvas Overview for Students from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

How do I submit my online assignment?

203 - Assignment Submissions from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

How do I take a quiz Canvas?

208 - Quizzes Overview from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

How do I participate in a discussion on Canvas?

How do I view feedback from my instructor on Canvas?

How do I check my grades on Canvas?
 

Please note: Not all faculty use Canvas for grading, so check your course syllabus for detailed information about how your instructor keeps track of grades.  If your instructor does use Canvas, see:

How do I designate pronouns on Canvas?
Looking for more?

Troubleshooting

I forgot my username or password.  Help!

Your Canvas username and password are the same as your InSite username and password.  If you forgot your username/password, contact District IT:

One of my Canvas courses disappeared mid-term. What happened?
 
  • Check InSite to confirm you are still enrolled in the course.  InSite communicates with Canvas, so if you have been dropped from a class for non-attendance, you will no longer see that course in your Dashboard.
What if I have a question not answered here?