Learn Canvas

What is Canvas?

Using Canvas, you will login to access your online courses, or to access any enhanced face-to-face-courses at Sauk.

How do I login to Canvas?

How do I find my courses in Canvas?

After you login to Canvas, you will find your courses by clicking on the Courses link in the left side Global Navigation menu, or you can use the Dashboard to access your courses. You will only see courses you are enrolled in, and only see them once the semester has begun (or maybe a few days early). Learn more about the Global Navigation and Dashboard from the Canvas student guides.

Getting Started in your Online Course

After you register, you should purchase your books for the class prior to the beginning of the semester. You can purchase your books online at svcc.edu/bookstore.

The first week of the semester (sometimes earlier) you should receive an email from your instructor with specific instructions on what you need to do to get started in your online class. If you have not been contacted by your instructor, you should contact him/her by looking at the Faculty and Staff Directory.

In this type of learning environment, it is recommended that you allocate a set time every night, or a few times a week in which you can work on your class.

Check that your computer meets the technical requirements for using Canvas.

Familiarizing yourself with your online class

Once you reach your class, the best way to familiarize yourself inside of this environment is to read the syllabus and beginning clicking inside of the various sections.

Your instructor may have you introduce yourself in Discussions or they may have you do some other type of activity to help you understand the course environment.

How can I learn to use Canvas?

Free Online Preparation Courses for Students: Self-enroll in any of our free courses: Canvas Basics, Success Basics, and Technology Basics. Information about these courses and how to enroll can be found on the linked page.

For quick "how to..." questions about Canvas, use the Canvas Guides. Once you access the guides, you can use the "What are you looking for?" search tool, or click the "Student Guide" for a list of tutorial pages. Canvas also provides several video tutorials for students.

Here are a few video tutorials we recommend:

Canvas Overview
Assignments Overview & Submissions
Communication
Discussions (forums)
Files
Calendar
Quizzes

Contacting Support

Visit the Help Desk for assistance with Canvas questions or technical problems.