Online Resources
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Online Help
Notice the icon in the Global Navigation bar (at the bottom of the dashboard to the far left of your screen if you're viewing this on a standard internet browser).
This help link will lead you to Canvas support. Links from the help button will allow you to call, email, or chat with technical support.
Self-paced Online Training Courses
We highly recommend spending some time with a very helpful self-paced Canvas Training Course for Instructors. This course will allow you to learn the ins and outs of Canvas at your own pace. You can work through the course module by module or simply jump into a specific topic that you'd like to learn more about.
If you prefer a video-based option, try the Lynda.com Learn Canvas 2016 online training course.
Canvas Guides
Recommended Guides to Get Started
There are many, many Canvas Guides Links to an external site. to help you learn how to use Canvas. They range from general overviews to specific solutions. We've collected a list of recommended Canvas Guides for some of the most common Canvas tools:
- Canvas Terminology Links to an external site.
- Profile and User Settings Links to an external site.
- Calendar Links to an external site. | Calendar Video Links to an external site.
- Course Setup Checklist Links to an external site.
- Course Home Page Links to an external site.
- Using a Page as the Front Page Links to an external site.
Communication Tools
- Conversations (Inbox) Links to an external site.
- Announcements Links to an external site. | Announcements Video Links to an external site.
- Communication tips for instructors
Navigation
- Course Navigation Links to an external site.
- Global Navigation Links to an external site.
- Course Settings Links to an external site.| Course Settings Video Links to an external site.
Modules & Pages
- Modules Links to an external site.
- Pages Overview Links to an external site. | Pages Overview Video Links to an external site.
- Rich Text Editor Links to an external site.
- Recommendations for Modules
Assignments, Quizzes and Grading
- Assignments Overview Links to an external site.
- Assignment Types Links to an external site.
- Collecting Assignments Links to an external site.
- Speed Grader Links to an external site. | Video Links to an external site.
- Quizzes Links to an external site. | Quiz Settings Video Links to an external site. | Question Creation Video Links to an external site.
- Gradebook Links to an external site. | Video Links to an external site.
Groups and Discussion
- Discussion Overview Links to an external site. | Discussion Video Links to an external site.
- Groups Links to an external site. | Groups Video Links to an external site.
- Student Discussion Options
University of Wisconsin-Madison Specific Guides
While most solutions can be found at the Canvas Community site, there is some documentation that is specific to our Canvas Instance at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. These documents can be found at our UW-Madison Canvas KnowledgeBase.
Some top documents include:
- Getting Started with Canvas
- What to expect when transitioning from D2L
- What to expect when transitioning from Moodle to Canvas
- Things to consider before you move
- Using Kaltura, our video hosting solution
- The third party tool integration process
Canvas Community
The Canvas Community Links to an external site. is a web forum for all Canvas users around the world. Because it applies to Canvas generally and may refer to features that are different from the UW-Madison version of Canvas, we recommend checking UW resources first.
Note that when searching the Canvas Community you will find links to guides, videos, discussion forums, and feature ideas. When looking for the answer to a specific Canvas question, it can be easier sometimes to type your question into a Google search.
If you have a question about something you find in the Community site, please contact us at MERIT.
UW-Madison Canvas Community
One Canvas Community group is the UW-Madison Canvas Community sub-group Links to an external site.. Here you'll be able to discuss Canvas challenges, ideas, and issues with other UW-Madison instructors and staff.
This forum is not heavily used as of this writing, so for time-sensitive questions, please contact us at MERIT.
Home || Online Resources || Training and Workshops || Course Design Ideas || In-Person Support