Most of the links below will direct you to the Canvas guides for instructors. Please note that some settings/features may not be available at our institution.
A quick guide to getting started is available for your convenience.
For your convenience, we also provided a Start of the Semester Instructor Checklist that will help you prepare your course for the semester.
If you do not see links for tools you would like to use in Canvas, please visit the Canvas Guides for Instructors or Canvas Video Tutorials for Instructors.
General Information
- Canvas Overview (instructors)
- Quick Start Guide (instructors)
- Start of the Semester Checklist (instructors)
- WebCampus Resources
Accessibility Resources
- How do I grant one student extra time on a quiz? (Due to special needs accommodation)
Note: If the availability window on your quiz is less than the extra time allotted, you must also extend the availability of the quiz for that particular student by clicking +Add in the Assign To area of the quiz settings. - How do I check my content for common accessibility errors?
- Where can I get more information, training, or help with accessibility?
Account Settings
- How do I set my Canvas notification preferences (Instructors)?
- How do I change the settings in my user account (Instructors)?
Navigation
- How do I use the Dashboard in Canvas?
- How do I hide/show courses on my dashboard and my course list?
- How do I preview my course as a student?
- How do I hide (collapse) or show my navigation in a course?
Where did the course navigation go when I opened Grades?
The course navigation automatically collapses when you open Grades. This is to provide more screen space. You can show the navigation menu again by clicking on the Menu button on the top right of the page.
Where did the right-side navigation links go?
When you are viewing Canvas on a smaller-sized screen, a minimized window, or at a lower screen resolution, the navigation items on the right side of the page will automatically move to the bottom of the page.
You can access the buttons by either scrolling to the bottom of the page or by adjusting the resolution or window size if permissible by the device you are using.
Setup & Migration
- How do I post my course syllabus?
- How do I insert a link to my PDF or Word version of my syllabus?
- How do I copy content from one Canvas course to another?
- How do I copy a single announcement, assignment, quiz, discussion, module, or page to another course?
- How do I send/share a single announcement, assignment, quiz, discussion, module, or page to/with another instructor?
- How do I access content another instructor shared with me?
- How do I import materials/resources into my course from Canvas Commons?
Organization
- How can I create & organize content in Canvas? (Modules)
- How do I change the Course Home Page?
- How do I reorder and hide Course Navigation/Menu links?
- How do I create groups?
- How do I assign students to groups?
- How do I use the Canvas calendar?
I've added published content to my modules; why is it not visible to my students?
The module also needs to be published. Although published content is visible by students, if the content area (module) is not visible, they will not be able to see the content within the module.
People
Student Access
What are my options when assigning 'Incomplete' grades to students?
Instructors can either submit a request to add the student to their current semester's section or extend the existing course's availability for a particular student.
Information needed:
- Course name (example: ENG 101-1001)
- Term (example: Spring 2021)
- Duration the course should remain open to the student
How soon can students access my course?
By default, students will have access to their courses one week prior to the start date if the course has been made published. Also by default, students will retain their access for two weeks after the semester ends.
Discussions
- How do I create a discussion?
- How do I create a group discussion?
- How do I duplicate a discussion?
- How do I create & grade discussions?
- How do I allow students to add an attachment to their discussion posts?
- How do I copy a discussion to another course?
- How do I share a single discussion with another instructor?
Quizzes
- How do I create a quiz?
- How do I grant one student extra time on a quiz? (Due to special needs accommodation)
Note: If the availability window on your quiz is less than the extra time allotted, you must also extend the availability of the quiz for that particular student by clicking +Add in the Assign To area of the quiz settings. - How do I review student results for quizzes?
- How do I copy a quiz to another course?
- How do I share a quiz with another instructor?
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How do I insert a math equation using the Rich Content Editor?
Instructors and students can use either Canvas' equation editor or an external tool, EquatIO, to insert math equations or scientific formulas into various areas in WebCampus-Canvas. Both features can be accessed via Canvas' Rich Content Editor which is available in tools such as assignments, discussions, quizzes, announcements, and pages.
EquatIO allows you to use more advanced features such as speech input for generating equations, more advanced math functions, scientific calculations, and predictive formula. Additional information on how to use both tools can be found below.
Canvas' Equation Editor
EquatIO
To insert an equation using EquatIO:
- Click on the EquatIO Icon (blue diamond) in the Rich Content Editor toolbar.
- The EquatIO window will appear where you can create your equation.
- Once you are done generating your equation, click on Insert Math to insert the equation into Canvas.
Video tutorials on how to use EquatIO in Canvas:
Respondus
Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser that increases the security of test delivery in WebCampus. When students are required to use Respondus LockDown Browser to access an exam, they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. An additional optional feature of LockDown Browser is Monitor, a fully automated proctoring solution.
Please review the Instructor Guide for instructions for important guidelines for enabling LockDown Browser and/or Monitor on your WebCampus exams.
Respondus is software that can be useful if you are interested in creating online assessments. Online assessments can be created right within course, but Respondus can serve as your question database, delivering questions to several online courses. You can also salvage test questions you’ve used for traditional paper testing by importing your properly formatted text document into Respondus. Once you have Installed Respondus on your computer, you may begin creating questions.
Thanks to the Online Education, Respondus is available to the entire UNLV Campus.
Installing, Setting Up, and Updating the License Key for Respondus (If not already logged in, you will be prompted to log in to WebCampus-Canvas to access this page)
You can download a Respondus Quick Start Guide if you are new to the software.
Video Demonstrations:
Assignments
- How do I create an assignment?
- How do I limit submission attempts for an assignment?
- How do I assign an assignment for specific student(s)?
- How do I update due dates and availability dates in bulk?
- How do I take attendance in Canvas? (Roll Call)
- How do I create a cloud assignment with a Google Drive file?
- How do I grade an assignment using SpeedGrader?
- How do I change the sorting of my student list or hide students names while grading students' assignments?
- How do I copy an assignment to another course?
- How do I share an assignment with another instructor?
-
How do I insert a math equation using the Rich Content Editor?
Instructors and students can use either Canvas' equation editor or an external tool, EquatIO, to insert math equations or scientific formulas into various areas in WebCampus-Canvas. Both features can be accessed via Canvas' Rich Content Editor which is available in tools such as assignments, discussions, quizzes, announcements, and pages.
EquatIO allows you to use more advanced features such as speech input for generating equations, more advanced math functions, scientific calculations, and predictive formula. Additional information on how to use both tools can be found below.
Canvas' Equation Editor
EquatIO
To insert an equation using EquatIO:
- Click on the EquatIO icon on the toolbar (blue diamond).
- The EquatIO window will appear where you can create your equation. (An EquatIO quick reference guide is available for help using the tool and for links to EquatIO support and training.)
- Once you are done generating your equation, click on Insert Math to insert the equation into Canvas.
How do I reopen a quiz or assignment for a student
1. Open the assignment or quiz and select Edit.
2. Scroll to the end of the page in the “Assign to” area. If the assignment is already assigned to “Everyone”, do not remove that tag. (If the “Everyone” tag is removed, students grades for this assignment will not show up in the gradebook. To fix the issue, simply add “Everyone” back in the field).
3. Select the +Add to add another “Assign to” field, and add the student(s) name(s) and due dates and/or availability dates.
Turnitin Assignments (Plagiarism Prevention Tool)
Turnitin is a plagiarism prevention tool available in WebCampus. Starting August 16, 2019, instructors will have two options for using Turnitin in WebCampus. The current integration, the Turnitin LTI External Tool, is a method that utilizes Turnitin's Feedback Studio features for grading and reviewing papers.
The new integration, the Plagiarism Framework, is designed for instructors who want to utilize Turnitin for plagiarism detection but want to take advantage of Canvas’ assignment and grading features in lieu of Turnitin’s Feedback Studio.
Note: Instructors should choose only ONE option for Turnitin. To help you decide which integration method to choose, please visit the Turnitin Canvas integration matrix for a comparison of features for the LTI External Tool and the Plagiarism Framework. Below are links to tipsheets on how to use the two different Turnitin integration methods in Canvas:
Option 1: Plagiarism Framework (Recommended)
- Quick Start Guide for Instructors
- How do I create an assignment?
- How do I view similarity reports?
- How do I view and grade student submissions? (Using SpeedGrader)
- How do I submit an assignment on behalf of a student? (Note: You may need to also view the paper in SpeedGrader to submit it to Turnitin)
- How do I create a group assignment? (Select online as the submission type and select at least one entry option to view the Plagiarism Review settings)
- How do I create a peer review assignment?
Option 2: Turnitin LTI External Tool
- How do I create an assignment?
- How do I modify the assignment settings?
- How do I access the similarity reports?
- How do I view and grade student submissions?
- How do I create a Peer Mark assignment?
- How do I submit a Turnitin assignment on behalf of a student?
How do I access Turnitin.com outside of WebCampus?
In order to log in to Turnitin.com, you must create at least one Turnitin assignment in WebCampus first to generate your Turnitin account. Once your assignment is created:
- Go to the Turnitin.com login page, and select “Forgot your password”.
- Enter the UNLV e-mail address associated with your Canvas account and your Last Name.
To check which UNLV e-mail address is associated with your Canvas account, go to Account > Settings and your e-mail address will be listed in the upper right-hand corner. - You will receive a temporary password for Turnitin.com in your inbox.
See Turnitin's guides on how to use Turnitin.com (outside of Canvas) for more information.
Grading
- How do I create rubrics?
- How do I grade assignments and discussions using a rubric?
- How do I create columns for non-submission assignments in the Gradebook?
- How do I update due dates and availability dates in bulk?
- How do I apply weighted grades in my course?
- How do I drop the highest/lowest grade in an assignment group?
- How do I add an assignment group (gradebook categories) in my course?
- How do I embed a video recording in Canvas content and grading?
- How do I view student submissions in SpeedGrader?
- How do I change the sorting of my student list or hide students names while grading in SpeedGrader?
Gradebook
- How do I use the gradebook?
- How do I create a column in the gradebook?
- How do I enter and edit grades in the gradebook?
- How do I hide grades for an individual column/assignment? (Grade Posting Policies)
- How do I export my grades (for Excel)?
- Additional gradebook resources
iClicker
What are iClickers?
In a classroom setting, Clickers, or “Response Systems”, allow instructors to ask questions and gather students' responses instantaneously during class sessions. Students can respond to structured questions, along with on-the-fly questions, using either a clicker or a mobile device. Responses and response summaries can be displayed in real time to the participants.
Visit UNLV's iClicker page for documentation and downloads at this.
Panopto (Lecture Capture)
What is Panopto?
Panopto is a Content Management System for recording and storing course-related video, audio, computer screen capture, and other content for student viewing. Integrated with Canvas, this service allows users to record lectures, presentations, demonstrations, and more. It also includes multiple tools and options which allow users to do basic video editing, add captions, and configure settings such as who can watch the videos and when they can be viewed.
Visit UNLV's Panopto page for documentation and downloads.
Communication
- How do I communicate with my students using Announcements?
- How do I send and receive messages in Canvas?
- How do I reply to course messages?
Web Conferencing (Canvas Conferences & Zoom)
Canvas Conferences is Canvas' internal web conferencing tool, but is currently disabled for the institution. However, Zoom has ben adopted as UNLV's web conferencing and virtual meeting tool and is currently integrated with Canvas.
For more information, including a guide for using Zoom in Canvas, please visit UNLV's video conferencing page.
IMPORTANT: Before using Zoom in WebCampus, you must first log in to Zoom using single sign on (SSO). To log into Zoom:
- Go to the UNLV Zoom webpage at it.unlv.edu/zoom
- Click the Login to Zoom button
- Sign it with your ACE ID
NOTE: If you have a pre-existing Zoom account using your UNLV (@unlv.edu)
email address from prior to UNLV’s transition to Zoom, you will have to switch
your account into the UNLV account. UNLV Zoom will ask you to verify your email
address and send an email with a button and link that will enable you to Switch to
the new account.
To enable Zoom in your course:
- Click on Settings from your course navigation menu.
- Click on the Navigation tab.
- Click and drag Zoom from the disabled navigation menu items to the top half.
- Click Save.
You can also refer to the Using Zoom in WebCampus guide.
Note: Graduate assistants whose primary email address in Canvas is their Rebelmail address will not be able to use Zoom through Canvas. Instead, they will need to log in to Zoom directly at unlv.zoom.us.
General Information
- General information about all Canvas Features (Please note that some features may not be available in our instance of Canvas).