Getting Started with Canvas

Using the Modules page in the left navigation is a simple way to help your learners find all the items they need for each week of your instruction. It helps you to go beyond just providing files to allowing you to provide an explanation for what needs to be done for the week. It helps students to find all the materials for the week in one place instead of having to go to multiple locations to get their files, assignments, etc. It will save you time in answering questions from students about what to do and how to find what they need. On this page we are providing a quick set up for how to start your modules page.

Make a simple module on Canvas

  1. Login to Canvas, go to psu.instructure.com
  2. Click the Standard Access Account button
  3. Log in via WebAccess if needed
  4. Locate your course on the dashboard or in the course list
  5. Open your course
  6. Click on the modules page

How to add a module header

  1. Click on the blue +Module button in the upper right of the screen
  2. In the Add module box, name your module
  3. Click add module
  4. In the module header, click the round circle to make it green to publish the module

How to add an element to your module

  1. Click the plus button to add an element to your module, you can choose the following from the drop-down: assignment, file, page, quiz, discussion, etc.

How to add a page

  1. Start by adding a page
  2. Click the plus button
  3. Select Page
  4. Choose new page
  5. Name the page.
  6. Click add item at the bottom of the box
  7. Canvas will bring you back to the module page, click on the new page you just made
  8. When it opens click edit
  9. Provide your students with any information or an organizer for the week
  10. Click Save and Publish, check that the page looks as you intended

How to add an assignment

  1. Click Modules
  2. Click the plus button
  3. Select assignment
  4. Select new assignment
  5. Name the assignment
  6. Click add item at the bottom of the box
  7. Canvas will bring you back to the module page, click on the new assignment you just made
  8. When it opens, click edit
  9. Provide your students with any information about your assignment for the week
  10. Choose how many points
  11. Choose the submission type
  12. Add a new date, and click Save and Publish

How to add a discussion

  1. Click the plus button
  2. Select discussion
  3. Select new discussion
  4. Name the discussion
  5. Click add item at the bottom of the box
  6. Canvas will bring you back to the module page, click on the new discussion you just made
  7. When it opens click edit
  8. Provide your students with any information about your discussion for the week

How to add a file (Like your PowerPoint)

  1. Click the plus button
  2. Select file
  3. Select new file
  4. Click the Choose File button
  5. Locate your file on your computer. Click on it, click open
  6. Click add item at the bottom of the box
  7. Canvas will bring you back to the module page, click on the circle next to the file name you just made to publish it

Additional information