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Learning With Canvas

Canvas is Ontario Tech University's learning management system. It is an online platform where students can access their courses, submit assignments, check grades, and communicate with instructors. This is one of the main ways students access their course materials at the university.

 


Canvas 24/7 Support

24/7 Canvas Support is available to assist you with everyday Canvas use, how-to questions, and technical problems. Support options can be accessed through your Canvas instance via:

  • Live chat
  • Webform/email
  • Dedicated phone number
To access Canvas 24/7 Support, click the 24/7 Support icon on the left menu in your Canvas dashboard. Then, click Submit a Ticket to Canvas and provide details and/or a link to a screen capture, along with your name, course CRN and relevant details.

Other Support Resources

Search the Canvas Guides: Find answers to common questions for students.

 

Canvas Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

  • How do I login to Canvas?
  • What browsers and devices can I use Canvas on?

    Supported Browsers

    Current and previous major releases of:

    • Chrome 135 | 136
    • Firefox 137 | 138 (Extended Releases are not supported*)
    • Edge 135 | 136
    • Respondus LockDown Browser (supporting the latest system requirements)
    • Safari 17 | 18 (Macintosh only)
    Unsupported Browser Banner in Canvas

    Some supported browsers may still produce a banner stating Your browser does not meet the minimum requirements for Canvas. If you have upgraded your browser, but you are still seeing the warning banner, try logging out of Canvas and clearing your browser's cache and cookies.

    Computer System Requirements

    Screen Size

    Studio is best viewed at a minimum resolution of 800x600.

    Operating Systems
    • Windows 8.1 and newer
    • Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
    • Linux - Chrome OS
    • Chromebook - Chrome OS
    Computer Speed and Processor
    • Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible
    • 1GB of RAM
    • 2GHz processor
    Internet Speed
    • Along with compatibility and web standards, Studio has been carefully crafted to accommodate low bandwidth environments
    • Minimum of 512kbps
    Screen Readers
    • Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
    • PC: JAWS (latest version for Firefox; we currently do not support the Edge browser for accessibility)
    • PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)
    • There is no screen reader support for Studio in Chrome

    For more details, visit the Canvas Community site.

  • Can I use a mobile device to access Canvas?

    You can access Canvas from any supported browsers on your Android/iOS device. However, mobile browsers are not fully supported, and features may not function as expected compared to when viewing Canvas in a fully supported desktop browser.

    The Canvas Student app is also available, but not all Canvas features are available on the app.

    For more information, visit the Canvas Community site.

  • I can't login to Canvas, what should I do?
    Students should contact the IT Service Desk and copy LMS@ontariotechu.ca regarding any technical issues within Canvas.

Accessing Courses

  • I don't see my courses in Canvas, what should I do?

    If you have registered for a course, but can't find it in Canvas, there may be a few reasons. They are:

    • The course has not been released to students. Typically, this happens about 2 weeks before the start of classes each semester.
    • You have not paid your fees or there are financial or other holds on your student account. Contact connect@ontariotechu.ca for information.
  • How do I get access to previous Canvas courses?
    After 120 days following the end of a course, you will not be able to access past courses. We suggest you download all necessary material before classes end.

Notifications and Messages

  • How do I change my Canvas notifications?
    • Open your Account settings, then go to Notifications to add or update your notifications.
    • You can receive notifications for due dates, grades, new course content, announcements, and discussion posts.
    • It is important to receive notifications for Course Announcements, as instructors use this method to communicate time-sensitive information to their students.

    For more information, visit the Canvas Community site.

  • How do I send a message in Canvas?
    • Use Canvas Inbox to send messages to instructors or teaching assistants.
    • Email notifications can be enabled in your Notifications.

Important Dates

  • How do I track important dates in my courses?
    • The Calendar function in Canvas summarizes important Assignment and Quiz due dates in each of your classes.
    • Events that aren't in Canvas but are shown in your course syllabus, like the final exam, may not be listed here. It is important to review your course syllabus in addition to using the Calendar.
    • Add your own events by clicking the ‘+’.
    • Show and hide calendars by selecting them in the Calendars tab on the right.
  • How do I connect my Canvas and Google Calendars?
    • Calendar can be added to your Ontario Tech Google Calendar.
    • On Canvas, select Calendar Feed.
    • Copy the link that appears (right click the text, then click Copy, or Ctrl+C).
    • Open Google Calendar and locate Other Calendars from the left sidebar.
    • Click the '+' icon.
    • Select From URL, and paste the Canvas Feed URL.
    • Click Add Calendar.