FAQ: Using Canvas as a Student

At a Glance

Have a question? Find answers to common student questions about using Canvas.

Getting Started

How do enrollments work in Canvas?

Canvas enrollments are automated to reflect your official registration at MIT. If you recently added or dropped a course, it may take up to 24 hours for the change to appear in Canvas.

• If you added a course but don’t see it on your Canvas Dashboard after 24 hours, check your registration status in WebSIS to confirm your enrollment. You can also try checking the All Courses page in Canvas to see if it’s listed there.
• If you dropped a course but it still appears on your Canvas Dashboard after 24 hours, verify that your registration update has been processed in WebSIS.

For more details, see FAQ: Course Registration & Canvas Access.

How do I login to Canvas?

1. Go to canvas.mit.edu in your web browser.
2. Click  the MIT Students, Faculty, and Staff button.
   
3. Log in with your MIT Kerberos credentials.
4. Your course will appear on your Canvas Dashboard and on the All Courses page.

Can I access Canvas on my phone or tablet?

Yes, Canvas has a Canvas Student app available for both iOS and Android. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play. After installing, select “MIT” as your institution and log in using your MIT Kerberos credentials.

What are the most important things I need to know about Canvas?

Check out The Top 10 Things Students Need to Know About Canvas to learn key features, navigation tips, and important tools to help you succeed in your courses.

Troubleshooting & Support

How do I get help with Canvas?

If you need immediate assistance, click on the Help button in the Global Navigation Menu in Canvas. From there, you can:

• Search the Canvas Guides for step-by-step instructions.
• Chat with Canvas Support for live assistance—support is available 24/7.
• Call the Canvas Support Hotline for students—support is available 24/7.

For more details, see How to Get Help with Canvas.

I’m having browser issues with Canvas. What should I do?

Canvas works best with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If you’re experiencing issues:

• Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
• Check the browser and computer requirements for Canvas.

If issues persist, contact Canvas Support via the Help menu in Canvas.

What resources are available for academic support?

In your Canvas course, click Student Resources in the Course Navigation Menu to access:

• Disability and Access Services (DAS)
• The Writing and Communication Center
• MIT Sloan Classroom Policies and Norms
• MIT DoingWell

Course Information & Navigation

How do I navigate Canvas as a student?

Canvas is designed with a Global Navigation Menu (on the left side of your screen) that provides quick access to key features, including:

• Dashboard: The first thing you see when you log into Canvas, giving you an overview of what’s happening in all your current courses.
  • You can customize which courses appear on your Dashboard by favoriting specific courses. For step-by-step instructions, see How do I customize my Courses list?
• Courses: A list of all your active and past courses. Click All Courses to view a full list.
• Calendar: A unified calendar displaying due dates and events across all your courses (if available).
• Inbox: Canvas’s built-in messaging tool to communicate with instructors and classmates.
• Help: A support menu where you can access Canvas Guides, 24/7 live chat, and 24/7 phone support.

If you’re ever lost, clicking on Dashboard will bring you back to your home screen.

What is the Canvas Dashboard, and how do I customize it?

• The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. It displays course cards for your current courses, upcoming assignments, and important announcements.
• You can customize which courses appear on your Dashboard by favoriting specific courses.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I customize my Courses list?
• If you have any questions about customizing your Canvas Dashboard, contact Canvas Support.

How do I view all of my courses in Canvas?

To see a complete list of your current and past courses:

1. Click Courses in the Global Navigation Menu.
2. Click All Courses to view both active and concluded courses.

For more details, see How do I view all my Canvas courses?

How do I access past courses in Canvas?

If the term has ended and you no longer see a course on your Dashboard, you can still access it:

1. Click Courses in the Global Navigation Menu.
2. Click All Courses to view both active and concluded courses.
3. Locate the course under Past Enrollments (if the instructor has left it open for access).

For more details, see How do I view all my Canvas courses?

Can’t find a past course? If you don’t see a course under Past Enrollments on the All Courses page, your instructor may have restricted access. Reach out to them directly to request permission to view the course.

How do I find out who is on the teaching team for my course?

• To view the teaching team for your course, click on the Course Overview Tool in the Course Navigation Menu. This tool provides a list of instructors, TAs, and other teaching team staff who can assist you.
• To learn more, see Tool Overview: Course Overview.

How do I find my syllabus in Canvas?

• You can typically find your syllabus in the Welcome Module or the Modules area of the course.
• If you still can’t locate the syllabus, reach out to the teaching team.

Attendance & Participation

How do I view class attendance and participation requirements?

Check the syllabus for attendance and participation policies, or ask your TA for details.

How do I check in for attendance using a unique code?

• If your course uses aPlus+ Attendance, you can check in using a unique code via a web browser or mobile device. For step-by-step instructions, see How to Check into aPlus+ Attendance with a Unique Code as a Student.
• If you have any questions, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I check if my attendance has been recorded correctly?

Contact your TA or instructor for further assistance.

I’m sick. How do I view the livestream or classroom recording for a class session?

• If you need to attend remotely, you can request access to a livestream or classroom recording.
• If your teaching team has shared a livestream or classroom recording with you, see How to Join a Classroom Livestream and View a Classroom Recording as a Student for step-by-step instructions.
• If you have any questions, contact the instructor or TA.

Course Content

How do I find my course materials in Canvas?

• You can usually find your syllabus, readings, assignments, and other course materials on your Course Homepage or in the Modules area.
• If you still can’t find what you need, contact your TA or instructor for assistance.

How do I access course files?

• Click on Files in the Course Navigation Menu.
  • If this link is hidden, your teaching team may have restricted access. Contact your TA or instructor for further assistance.
• For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view course files?

I can’t access a file. What should I do?

Contact your TA or instructor for further assistance.

Classroom Recordings & Course Videos

I’m sick. How do I view the livestream for a class session?

• If you need to attend remotely, you can request access to a livestream or classroom recording.
• If your teaching team has shared a livestream of a class session with you, see How to Join a Classroom Livestream and View a Classroom Recording as a Student for step-by-step instructions.
• If you have any questions, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I view a classroom recording?

• If you need to attend remotely, you can request access to a livestream or classroom recording.
• If your teaching team has shared a classroom recording with you, see How to Join a Classroom Livestream and View a Classroom Recording as a Student for step-by-step instructions.
• If you have any questions, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I access a course video?

Course videos may be available in different locations depending on how your instructor has shared them.

• If your instructor uploaded the video to Panopto, click Videos in the Course Navigation Menu.
• Your instructor may also have placed the video in a specific module. Check your Course Homepage or the Modules area to find it.

If you can’t find a specific video, contact your TA or instructor for assistance.

Assignments & Submissions

How do I submit an assignment?

• For step-by-step instructions, see How do I submit an online assignment?
• If you have questions about an assignment, contact your instructor or TA.

What if I submitted the wrong file? Can I resubmit?

• If your instructor allows multiple submissions, you’ll see a New Attempt button on the assignment page in Canvas. Click it to upload the correct file.
• If you don’t see this option, contact your TA or instructor for assistance.

How do I submit a group assignment?

• Only one group member needs to submit the assignment on behalf of the entire group. After submission, all group members will see the submission status and any feedback provided by the instructor.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I submit an assignment on behalf of a group?
• If you have questions about an assignment, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I request an extension on an assignment?

Contact your TA or instructor for assistance.

Quizzes & Exams

How do I take a quiz in Canvas?

• If your course includes digital assessments, you can access them from the Quizzes page (if it’s available in the Course Navigation Menu). Quizzes may also appear on your Course Homepage or the Modules area.
• For step-by-step instructions, see How do I take a quiz?
• If you have questions about a quiz or exam, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I request an extension on a quiz?

Contact your TA or instructor for assistance.

Group Work

How do I know who is in my group in Canvas?

• In your Canvas course, click on People in the Course Navigation Menu, then click on the Groups tab.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view my Canvas groups as a student?
• If you have any questions about your assigned group, contact your TA or instructor.

How do I view my groups in Canvas?

• In your Canvas course, click on People in the Course Navigation Menu, then click on the Groups tab.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view my Canvas groups as a student?
• You can also click on Groups in the Global Navigation Menu to easily view groups you are enrolled in.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view all groups in a course as a student?
• If you have any questions about your assigned group, contact your TA or instructor.

How do I join a group in Canvas?

• You can sign up for a group in your course if your instructor has enabled the self sign-up option.
• For step-by-step instructions, see How do I join a group as a student?

How do I communicate with my group members in Canvas?

• You can use the Inbox tool in Canvas to communicate with your group members.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I use the Inbox?
• If you have any questions about using the Inbox tool, contact Canvas Support.

What happens if a group member doesn’t contribute to a group assignment?

Contact your instructor or TA for further assistance.

How do I submit a group assignment?

• Only one group member needs to submit the assignment on behalf of the entire group. After submission, all group members will see the submission status and any feedback provided by the instructor.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I submit an assignment on behalf of a group?
• If you have questions about an assignment, contact your instructor or TA.

Communication

How do I view course announcements in Canvas?

• The Announcements page allows you to view and filter announcements in your course.
• To view announcements in your Canvas site, click on Announcements in the Course Navigation Menu.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view Announcements as a student?
• If you have any questions about viewing announcements, contact Canvas Support.

How do I send a message to my instructor or TA in Canvas?

• You can use the Inbox tool in Canvas to to send messages.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I use the Inbox?
• If you have any questions about using the Inbox tool, contact Canvas Support.

How do I communicate with my group members in Canvas?

• You can use the Inbox tool in Canvas to communicate with your group members.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I use the Inbox?
• If you have any questions about using the Inbox tool, contact Canvas Support.

How do I access and use Slack for this class?

• If Slack is being used in this course, you can access it by clicking on Slack (Beta) in the Course Navigation Menu.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How to Join a Slack Workspace from a Canvas Course as a Student.
• To learn more about using Slack and where to get support, see Tool Overview: Slack.

Polling

How do I respond to a Poll Everywhere poll?

• Use the link or code shared during class or in your Canvas course to access the poll, then submit your response on your device.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How to Respond to a Poll Using Poll Everywhere as a Student.
• For questions about using Poll Everywhere and its features, contact Poll Everywhere directly.

Calendar & Notifications

How do I view my course calendar events?

• The Calendar is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. You can view calendar events by day, week, month, or agenda list.
• To access it, click on Calendar in the Global Navigation Menu.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I use the Calendar?
• If you don’t see any course calendar events, contact your TA or instructor, as they manage class meetings, assignment due dates, and other course events.

How do I sync my Canvas Calendar to Outlook?

• You can subscribe to the Calendar Feed using the outlook.office.com website.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How to Sync Your Canvas Calendar Feed to Outlook in Office 365.
• The calendar feed will contain events and assignments from all of your Canvas calendars, including reserved Scheduler appointment slots.
• If you have any questions, contact Canvas Support.

How do I sync my Canvas calendar with my Google, Outlook, or iCal calendar?

• You can sync Canvas calendar with the calendar of your choice by subscribing to the Canvas calendar feed.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view the Calendar iCal feed to subscribe to an external calendar?
• If you have any questions, contact Canvas Support.

How do I update my Canvas notifications?

• You can edit your Canvas notification settings, by clicking on Account in the Global Navigation Menu and then clicking on Notifications.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I manage my Canvas notification settings?
• If you have any questions about your Canvas notifications, contact Canvas Support.

Grades & Feedback

Where can I view my grades?

• The Grades page in a course displays all current grades for all course assignments. You can also view scoring details, comments, and rubrics (if provided by the teaching team).
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I view my grades in a current course?
• If you have questions about a grade, content your instructor or TA.

How do I view instructor feedback on my assignments?

If the teaching team left feedback on your assignments, you can access it by clicking on Grades in the Course Navigation Menu. For step-by-step instructions, see:

• How do I view assignment comments from my instructor?
• How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor directly in my assignment submission?

If you have any questions about the feedback, contact your instructor or TA.

How do I add a comment to a submission?

• To add a comment, open the assignment from the Grades page. You can submit text, media comments, or attach files.
  • For step-by-step instructions, see How do I add a comment to a submission as a student?
• If you have any questions about adding comments, contact Canvas Support.