Some tips and tricks to get you oriented with the Canvas LMS system.

1. CANVAS 101
A crash course in using SJSU’s
online learning platform.

2. WHAT IS CANVAS, AND WHY DO WE
USE IT?
 Canvas is a “learning management
system” (LMS) adopted by a number
of universities to streamline classes
and coursework.
 It’s cloud-based, easy-to-use, and
boasts a variety of tools to make
completing your assignments,
managing your course load, and
interacting with
classmates/instructors intuitive and
stress-free.

3. First things first… Your
profile
Link Canvas with Google
Drive, Skype, and LinkedIn
here
Customize
your profile
with a bio
Your Account page
displays your profile,
notifications,
settings, and any
other programs
you’ve authorized to
access Canvas.

4. From the “Profile”
tab, we now navigate
to the “notifications”
tab, which will help
keep you up to date
on Canvas user
activity and
assignment
feedback/changes

5. Moving onto the
“files” tab of your
Account section, this
is where everything
you over submit on
Canvas will be
archived.
In the “ePortfolios”
tab, any portfolios
you create (likely as a
class requirement)
will be found here.
There is a built-in
wizard to help you
create a portfolio, if
need be.

6. Provides an
overview of
enrolled
courses,
upcoming
assignments,
assignment
feedback, and
notifications
Announcements
Discussions
Assignments
Course Files

7. WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE ‘COURSES’ BUTTON, IT WILL PULL UP A SIDEBAR WITH THE
ENTIRETY OF YOUR COURSES LISTED. CLICKING ON ANY OF THE LINKS WILL TAKE YOU
TO THAT COURSE’S HOMEPAGE.
THE ‘ALL COURSES’ LINK WILL TAKE YOU TO A
PAGE THAT INCLUDES A LAYOUT OF ALL OF
YOUR COURSES (INCLUDING PREVIOUSLY-
TAKEN COURSES THAT HAVEN’T EXPIRED AND
‘HIDDEN’ COURSES)

8. Calendar
Assignments,
along with
their due dates
Completed/past due
assignments will be crossed out
Assignments
are color coded
to course
listings
Click
anywhere to
create a new
calendar
event

9. Mailboxes (unread, sent, archived,
starred, etc.)
When you select a
message on the left, the
message body will
populate here
Course Selection
Message options (e.g. reply
all, archive, delete)
Learn to check your inbox regularly

10. “Library” opens up in a new tab

11. HOW TO SUBMIT ASSIGNMENTS
 Use the appropriate file format and
nomenclature.
 Microsoft Word is free for currently-
enrolled SJSU students:
 https://products.office.com/en-
us/student/office-in-education
 PDF or .doc/.docx files only.
 Tip: When you go to save a word
doc, you can “save as Adobe PDF” in
the same menu.

12. WHEN YOU’RE READY TO SUBMIT…
Select how you’d like to upload your file
(the latter two require you to link the
services).
Upload multiple files, if necessary. Check
the box here before hitting “submit.”

13. PLAGIARISM AND TURNITIN

14. TIPS AND TRICKS
 Create a schedule – get in the habit of checking Canvas regularly.
 Set reminders and manage notifications using built-in tools.
 Familiarize yourself with file types and how to upload (emailed
assignments are not accepted).