CANVAS 101 for Parents 

 
Welcome to Canvas!​ We are glad you are here. This module has been created for parents 
and guardians and includes information about Canvas Learning Management System and 
general instructions for using Canvas as a parent/observer.   
 
What is a Learning Management System?​ A Learning Management System (LMS) is a way 
to simplify teaching and learning by connecting the digital tools teachers, students and 
parents use in one place.  
 
Why are teachers using Canvas?  
Teachers can use Canvas to: 
 
● Receive and grade student assignments, discussions, and quizzes. 
● Easily align assignments and rubrics to standards and/or learning objectives. 
● Provide students with written, audio, or video feedback and multiple 
revision/submission opportunities. 
● Organize all work and course-related events into one, drag-and-drop calendar. 
● Push course notifications to students via email and text. 
 
Why might a student benefit from working on Canvas? 
 
Students can use Canvas to: 
 
● Access class materials (calendar, assignments, quizzes, etc.) online using any device 
or any browser.  
● Track their progress through ongoing teacher feedback tools. 
● Receive course announcements, grade notifications, etc. instantaneously on their 
preferred device(s). 
● Easily collaborate with peers and teachers. 
 
 
 
 
 

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Technical Details 
Canvas is easy to use, but it will work a lot better in certain situations than in others. So, 
for those who need to know or encounter problems accessing/working in Canvas, here are 
the technical details: 
 
Computer Specifications 
Canvas and its hosting infrastructure are designed for maximum compatibility and 
minimal requirements. 
 
Screen Size 
● Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 800x600, which is the average size of a 
notebook computer. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, 
we recommend using the Canvas Parent mobile app. (Links to an external site.) 
 
Operating Systems 
● Windows 7 and newer  
● Mac OSX 10.6 and newer 
● Linux - chromeOS 
 
Mobile Operating System Native App Support ​(https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Mobile/ct-p/apps) 
● iOS 7 and newer (versions vary by device) 
● Android 4.2 and newer 
 
Computer Speed and Processor 
● Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible 
● 1GB of RAM 
● 2GHz processor 
 
Internet Speed 
● Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to 
accommodate low bandwidth environments. 
● Minimum of 512kbps 
 
Screen Readers 
● Macintosh: VoiceOver (Links to an external site.) (latest version for Safari) 
● PC: JAWS (Links to an external site.) (latest version for Internet Explorer) 
● PC: NVDA (Links to an external site.) (latest version for Firefox) 
● There is no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome 
 

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Supported Browsers 
Because it's built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, 
Android, or any other device with a modern web browser. 
 
We highly recommend updating to the newest version of whatever browser you are using 
as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. 
 
Canvas supports the current and first previous major releases of the following browsers: 
 
● Internet Explorer 11 (Windows only—functionally supported; may exhibit slight 
visual differences from other browsers, but these differences do not restrict 
product functionality or accessibility) 
● Edge 41 and 42 (Windows only) 
● Chrome 67 and 68 
● Safari 10 and 11 (Macintosh only) 
● Firefox 60 and 61 (Extended Releases (Links to an external site.) are not supported) 
● Flash 29 and 30 (for recording or viewing audio/video and uploading files) 
● Respondus Lockdown Browser (supporting the latest system requirements (Links 
to an external site.)) 
  
 
Some supported browsers may still produce a banner stating Your browser does not meet 
the minimum requirements for Canvas. If you have upgraded your browser but you are 
still seeing the warning banner, try logging out of Canvas and deleting your browser 
cookies. Learn how to clear your cache on a MacLinks to an external site. or a PCLinks to 
an external site. 
 
If you are using an unsupported browser, you can update your browser, or you can dismiss 
the warning banner during the duration of your browser session.  
 
Required Components 
Flash (Links to an external site.) is required for recording or viewing audio/videos. Other 
than these features, Flash is not required to use most areas of Canvas. Please note that 
some browsers may no longer support Flash. 
 
The Java plug-in (Links to an external site.) is required for screen sharing in Conferences. 
Please note that some browsers do not support Java. Otherwise, there are no other 
browser plug-ins used by Canvas. 
 

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Update Your Desktop Browser 
There are a couple of different ways to update your desktop browser.   
1. Every time you open your browser, it will check to make sure it is using the most 
current version. If it is not updated, your browser will prompt you with a 
notification and walk you through the update process. 
2. Download the latest version of your desktop browser directly. Click the name of 
your browser below to visit your browser's download page: 
● Internet Explorer (Links to an external site.) 
● Chrome (Links to an external site.) 
● Safari (Links to an external site.)  
● Firefox (Links to an external site.) 
● Flash (Links to an external site.) 
● Respondus (Links to an external site.) 
 
Browser Privacy Settings 
Some browsers may occasionally make modifications to privacy settings to protect users 
from possible insecure content. Insecure content is identified with the prefix http:// in the 
URL and can create mixed content in your Canvas Page. Secured content is identified with 
the https:// prefix in the URL.  
 
If you are using a browser that is affected, please be aware of possible restrictions. The 
following are known issues in specific browsers that may block or create mixed content 
within Canvas. 
 
Chrome Security 
Google Chrome verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you 
visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Chrome will display a 
shield icon in the browser address bar. 
 
You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by 
clicking the shield icon and then clicking the Load unsafe script button. 
 
Chrome Media Permissions 
Chrome has its own media permission within the browser. To use your computer 
camera and microphone within any Canvas feature, you will have to approve two 
permissions: 
 

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 1. Allow access to Canvas via the Adobe Flash Player Settings. This prompt 
appears in the center of the video and audio pop-up windows, or the center 
of the browser if you are accessing Conversations. 
2. Allow access to Canvas via Chrome's media permission settings. This 
prompt appears just below the address bar. Click the Allow button. 
 
Firefox Security 
Firefox verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a 
page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Firefox will display a shield 
icon in the browser address bar. 
 
You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by 
clicking the shield icon, clicking the Keep Blocking drop-down menu, and selecting the 
Disable Protection for now button. 
 
Setting Notifications 
Click these links for step-by-step guides to the following actions: 
➔ Add your cell phone (Links to an external site.) to receive text message alerts for 
course events. (Optional) 
➔ Change your notification preferences. (Links to an external site.) - Notifications are 
set at a global level, meaning that notification settings apply to all courses. The 
settings for notifications include: Right Away, Daily Summary, Weekly Summary, 
Never. Notification preferences can be changed at any time. Please note that not 
all notifications will apply to the Parent Observer role. If you do not want to receive 
Canvas notifications, set all options to 'Never.' 
 
If you prefer, most of these settings options are discussed in the following short videos: 
 
User Settings & Profile Picture: ​https://vimeo.com/74243735 
Notification Preferences: ​https://vimeo.com/75514816 
 
Observers Can . . . 
In Canvas, parents function as observers. As an observer, you will have limited 
permissions that allow you to see what is going on in a course without interrupting or 
participating in the course.   
 
See the Calendar 

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Observers can see all Events and Assignments due on the Calendar, filter the calendar view by 
the different courses the student is enrolled in, and view undated events and assignments. NOTE: 
Up to 15 calendars can be selected for viewing at one time in a web browser.  
 
See the Modules Page 

 
Observers can see how a teacher has organized course content in Modules. They can also see the 
point values for individual assignments.  
 
View Course Announcements 
 

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Observers can view course announcements by clicking Announcements in the course navigation. 
 
Preview Documents in Course Pages 

 
Observers can view documents in an inline document previewer and download documents to 
their computer. 
 

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See the Quizzes Page 

 
Observers can see Quiz titles. 
 
See Canvas Grades 

 
From the top banner, if an Observer clicks on Grades, they will see a list of the student's 
assignments and total grade for Canvas assignments only.  
 
Access Conversations 

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Observers can click on the Inbox link to access student Conversations if the teacher or student 
copied them on the message. Observers can also message the instructor.  
 
Observers Cannot . . . 
In Canvas, parents function as observers. As an observer, you will have limited 
permissions that allow you to see what is going on in a course without interrupting or 
participating in the course.   
 
Submit Assignments 
There is no submission button on Assignment detail pages. 
  
Take Quizzes 
Observers cannot take Quizzes. There is no link to "Take this Quiz". 
  
Join Course Groups 
Instructors and students can create groups inside of Canvas that make it easy to collaborate in 
smaller groups. Observers cannot be added to or interact inside of Groups. 
  
See Course Discussions 
Because of student privacy issues, observers are not allowed to view class discussions. 
  
Send Messages to Students 
Observers can only send messages to Instructors (teachers). They cannot send messages to 
Students in the course. 
  
See Course Rosters 
Observers will not be able to see the names of enrolled Students or their Registered Services.  
  
See Unpublished Courses 
Like students, Observers cannot view a course until it is published and the course has started. 
 
 

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Navigating Courses as an Observer 
 
View Canvas Interface 

 
Observers can view Global Navigation, Course Navigation, Breadcrumb Navigation, 
Sidebar, and Help link. 
 
● The Global Navigation helps you get to where you want to go across all of your 
Canvas courses [1]. 
● The Course Navigation helps you get to where you want to go within your Canvas 
course [2]. 
● The Breadcrumb Navigation shows you where you have navigated to the inside of a 
course and gives you a quick and easy way to move backward [3]. 
● The Sidebar will be mostly empty for Observers [4]. 
● The Help link is for when you need assistance. [5]. 
 
The Course Navigation links on the left side of your screen help you get to where you 
want to go inside of Canvas. As an Observer, you will typically see the following links: 
 
Home  
Announcements 

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Modules 
Discussions 
Quizzes 
Google Drive 
 
If you ever have trouble in Canvas and need to communicate with your child's teacher 
about what you are looking at, these terms might be useful. 
 
What Can I Expect to See in Canvas? 
Classroom Teachers will have: 
 
● Published course(s) 
● Standard course navigation 
● Course home page with contact information 
● "Course Information" Module that includes basic information for the course 
● Modules for each "unit of study." These modules will include course materials 
related to the unit of study. 
● Assignments noted on the calendar on the date they are due. These assignments 
will typically be items that are due in class the following day or in the near future. 
(Note: Work completed entirely in class will not generally be listed on the calendar 
in Canvas.) 
● At least one quiz taken online through Canvas per quarter. 
● At least one assignment submitted and graded online through Canvas per quarter. 
● At least one online discussion through Canvas per quarter. 
 
Tips for Managing Multiple Children 
As  a  Parent  Observer,  you  have  access  to  a  lot  of  great  information,  and  it  can  be 
challenging  to  navigate  the  information  efficiently,  especially  if  you  are  actively 
monitoring  the  courses  of  more  than  one  student.  Depending  on  how  many  students you 
follow  and  in  how  many  courses  your  students  are  enrolled,  the  dashboard  can  become 
overwhelming.  Below  are  a  few  tips  for  managing  multiple  students  under  your  single 
Parent Observer account: 

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Course Nicknames 
● You may adjust the nickname for each course. That way, you can include each 
child's first initial or name ahead of the course name (ie: K: English or Kelly: 
English). 
● Course nicknames appear in the Dashboard, course navigation menu, course 
breadcrumbs, and notification emails. The nicknames will also appear on the 
Canvas app. 
● The course nickname is only available to the individual user who created the 
nicknames.  
● To access the nickname field, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of 
the course card. 
 
Course Colors 
● Another option is to color code the course cards so all of child #1's courses are one 
color, all of child #2's courses are a second, etc. 
● The color that is shown on the course card is synced with the color shown for the 
course in the Calendar.  
● The course card colors are only available to the individual user who selected the 
colors. 
● To select course card colors, click the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the 
course card. 

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Canvas Parent App 
● While viewing Canvas from a web browser as an Observer gives you very detailed 
information about the course, the Canvas Parent App allows the Observer to view 
a student’s course events (calendar) and upcoming assignments, and course 
announcements. 
● The Parent App allows the Observer to view one student’s course information at a 
time. 
 
Canvas Observer Help Guides: 
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/tkb-p/observer 
 
Canvas Parent App Help Guides: 
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Mobile/ct-p/apps 
 
 
 

Congratulations! 
You're well on your way to taking an active role in your child's education! 
 

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