The following information is a summary to help you get started in Canvas.
Quick Links
- Browsers
- First-time Login
- Getting Help
- Why don’t I see my Canvas course?
- Contacting Your Instructors
- Canvas Mobile App
- Navigation
- Global Navigation
- Dashboard
- Course Navigation
- Personalizing Canvas
- Profile Photo
- Chosen Name
- Pronouns
- Notifications
- Time Zones
- More Questions?
Browsers
- We recommend using an updated version of Firefox or Chrome. There is also an in-depth Guide on Supported Browsers.
- We also recommend enabling third-party cookies on your browser for the best experience using Canvas.
First-time Login
- You can access Canvas using your JHED and password through Canvas at JHU main page. If you need help logging in for the first time, follow the Canvas log-in guide. If you need help logging in, contact the IT help desk: Report a problem online or call (410) 516-HELP.
- For new students, we recommend making sure you have already set up your JHU email account prior to accessing Canvas to make sure you receive vital notifications. Canvas notifications are sent from [emailprotected]. In your profile settings, this typically uses ([emailprotected]) format.
- When you first log in to Canvas, you will see a pop-up. You can accept the conditions, and complete your log in.
Getting Help
- Review your school’s specific help resources and contactyour school-specific support.
- Visit Canvas Student Resources where you will find many helpful guides.
- Explore frequently asked questions by other students.
Why don’t I see my Canvas course?
There are a number of reasons why you might not see your course in Canvas. Follow the “why don’t I see my Canvas course?” guide for steps to find your course in Canvas.
Contacting Your Instructors
Inbox (also called Conversations) can be used as an in-Canvas email system. Inbox is a two-way messaging tool used instead of email to communicate with members of a course, a group, or an individual user. You can communicate with other people in your course at any time. Check out the Inbox guide.
Canvas Mobile App
Canvas Student allows students to access their courses and groups using a mobile device. Students can submit assignments, participate in discussions, view grades and course materials. The app also provides access to course calendars, To Do items, notifications, and Conversations messages.
- Follow the student mobile guide to install the Canvas Student App and connect it to your JHU account.
- We do not recommend using a mobile browser on your phone (e.g., Safari, Chrome).
Navigation
Global Navigation
- The global navigation menu is located at the left side of the screen and is visible from all pages. It contains links to your Account, Dashboard, Courses, Calendar, Inbox, History, and Help. Depending on your role in Canvas you may see additional links on the menu.
- In-depth Global Help Menu.
Dashboard
- The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. The Dashboard helps you see what is happening in all your current courses.More information is available in the Dashboard Guide.
- If you can’t see your course on your dashboard, you should see it under all courses instead; courses will shift when each new term courses are created. You can manage what courses show on your dashboard by following theCanvas guide on customizing my Courses list as an student.
Course Navigation
The Course Navigation Menu is a series of links on the left side of your course that help you and your students access different course areas. The Course Navigation Menu is always visible on its respective pages.In-depth Video for Navigation.
Visit the How do I use Discussions Redesign as a studentfor details on update course discussions.
Personalizing Canvas
Profile Photo
- Images should be square in size to prevent your picture from being resized or distorted. Files can be any type (.jpg, .png, .gif) or size as long as you have room in your personal files to store the file. Canvas recommends that your profile picture be as small as possible.
- In-depth Profile Photos Guide.
Chosen Name
Your chosen name needs to be set in myJH portal and then it will update in Canvas. For more information on updating your name, visit the JHU’s Chosen Name page.
Pronouns
- If you have updated your pronouns in your directory information on myJH, they will update in Canvas in most cases.
- When setting up your pronouns in your directory information, if you selected “other” and typed your pronouns, they may not be shown in Canvas. You can then set your pronouns in Canvas directly. (Despite this limitation, it is still recommended to set your pronouns in the directory since they will update in numerous systems).
Notifications
Canvas includes a set of default notification settings you can receive for your courses. However, you can change the default settings by setting your own notification settings. These settings only apply to you; they are not used to control how course updates are sent to other users.
- In-depth Notifications Guide.
- Notifications from Canvas come from [emailprotected], and they often show up in the “other” or “updates” area of your inbox.
Time Zones
If users have set a specific time zone in their User Settings, all course dates and times will display in their local time. If they hover over the date and time, they can also see the course date and time.
More Questions?
- Visit the student resources area or the Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.
- If you have additional questions, contact your school-specific support.
