Canvas FAQs For Faculty

How do I log in to Canvas?

You can log in to Canvas by visiting https://gfcmsu.instructure.com using your NetID@gfcmsu.edu and Password.

How do I access my courses?

Once logged in, your courses will appear on the Canvas Dashboard. If you don’t see your course, check the "Courses" tab and select "All Courses." Ensure your course has been assigned to you.

My course isn’t listed. What should I do?

If your course does not appear, check with your department chair and registrar office to confirm that you have been added as an instructor. If the course is still missing, contact your us at elearning@gfcmsu.edu

Why can’t I see all my courses on the Dashboard after the migration?

Canvas limits the number of course cards displayed on the Dashboard to 20. However, all of your courses are still accessible.

To view them, click "Courses" in the blue Global Navigation Menu, then select "All Courses" at the top of the pop-out menu. This will display a full list of all your courses.

To help keep your Dashboard organized, you can "favorite" specific courses (similar to pinning in D2L). From the "All Courses" page, simply click the star icon next to a course name—it will turn orange to indicate it’s been favorited. Only your favorited courses will then appear on the Dashboard, while all others remain accessible but hidden from view.

If your course appears under Past Enrollments, it’s in a read-only state and can’t be favorited. If you need full access or want it to show on your Dashboard, contact us at elearning@gfcmsu.edu and we’ll help get that fixed.

Why are courses under "Past Enrollments" read-only and not available to favorite?

Do instructors need to request a course shell for upcoming terms?

All credit courses are provisioned in Canvas - instructors do not need to submit a course request for credit courses.

An instructor may choose to request a Master or Sandbox course offering for creating/saving course content outside a given semester or to test out Canvas features not yet utilized. Instructors have on-going access to any Master or Sandbox courses requested and built.

If you would like a Master or Sandbox course shell created, please send an email to elearning@gfcmsu.edu requesting it.

When do courses show up for instructors for an upcoming term?

Credit course offerings for an upcoming term(s) will typically be provisioned roughly 8 weeks prior to the start of the upcoming term. Once Canvas is updated with upcoming term(s) courses, instructors will see the upcoming term(s) credit course offerings in Canvas.

Course Setup

How do I add content to my course?

You can add content by going to the "Modules" section and clicking "+ Module" or "+" within an existing module to add files, pages, assignments, quizzes, or discussions.

Can I copy content from a previous course?

Yes. Go to "Settings," select "Import Course Content," and choose "Copy a Canvas Course." Then, select the course you want to copy from and specify the content you’d like to import.

How do I add someone to my course?

In most cases, students are automatically enrolled through the institution’s system. If you need to manually add a person, go to People in your course navigation and click + People. Enter their institutional email address and assign them the correct role.

If the + People button is grayed out and unclickable, it usually means the course is in a read-only state, such as when it's concluded or not yet started. Instructors can only add users to active courses.

If you would like to add someone to your course outside of the courses start/end dates, reach out to elearning@gfcmsu.edu and we’ll help you get the person added.

How do I make my course visible to students?

Courses are automatically published, or made active, at the time of creation from Banner. Faculty can access their course shells immediately once they have been created, as long as the instructor(s) has been associated with the course in Banner. Students will not be able to access their courses until 7 days prior to the semester or block start date. Please ensure your course has content before that point so ensure students do not see an empty course shell with our default course template.

How do Canvas and Banner work together to setup class access?

Learner, instructor, and course information in Banner get passed over to the Canvas system.

Updates from Banner to Canvas run multiple times during the day:

Monday through Friday at ~ 7:00 AM; 10:00 AM; 2:00 PM; 5:00 PM; 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday at ~ 12 PM and 8 PM

Actions related to accounts and courses are typically handled by the Registrar.

Can you merge sections together in Canvas?

Yes.

To request a merge, also called crosslisting, instructors should send an email to elearning@gfcmsu.edu with the Course Number, Course Section(s), and Course Title that need to be merged together. eLearning staff will then set up the various combinations to be merged into one course offering.

Merged courses contain a CL (for "cross-listed") in the course title as well as the course code. After the merge has been constructed by support staff, the instructor will have access to the merged course offering.

The best time to request a merge is at the front end of a semester after all course offerings are available to the instructor in Canvas, and before instructors begin setting up the course.

How do I get a specifc course to show on my dashboard?

To add a specific course to your Dashboard, click "Courses" in the blue Global Navigation Menu, then select "All Courses" at the top of the pop-out menu. You'll see a list of all your current and past courses.

Find the course you want on your Dashboard, and click the star icon next to its name. The star will turn orange to show it's been favorited. Only courses you've marked with a star will appear on your Dashboard—everything else stays accessible from the All Courses list but won’t be shown by default.

Assignments and Grading

How do I create an assignment?

Go to "Assignments" and click "+ Assignment." Enter a title, description, due date, and submission type (file upload, text entry, etc.). Then, assign a point value and select "Save & Publish" when ready.

How do I use the SpeedGrader?

SpeedGrader allows you to review and grade student submissions efficiently. Open an assignment, then click "SpeedGrader" on the right side. You can leave comments, annotate submissions, and assign grades directly.

Can I set up a grading scheme?

Yes. Navigate to "Settings," select "Course Details," and enable "Grading Scheme." You can either use the default scheme or customize it to fit your course grading policy.

How do I weight grades in the gradebook?

Go to "Assignments," click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "Assignment Groups Weight." Enable "Weight final grade based on assignment groups," then set the percentage for each category (e.g., Quizzes 20%, Homework 30%, Exams 50%).

Communication & Engagement

How do I send announcements to my students?

Go to "Announcements" and click "+ Announcement." Enter your message and select "Save & Publish." You can also schedule announcements for a later date.

How do discussions work in Canvas?

Discussions allow students to engage in course-related conversations. Create a discussion by going to "Discussions" and clicking "+ Discussion." You can set it as graded or ungraded, allow threaded replies, and enable peer interactions.

Can I message students individually?

Yes. Use the "Inbox" feature in Canvas to send private messages to individual students or groups.

Canvas Teacher App

Is there a mobile app for instructors?

Yes. The Canvas Teacher App is available for iOS and Android. It allows you to manage courses, grade assignments, send announcements, and communicate with students from your mobile device.

How do I download and use the Canvas Teacher App?

Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Log in using your institution’s Canvas URL and credentials. Once logged in, you can access your courses, review submissions, and communicate with students on the go.

Technical Support & Resources

What should I do if I encounter a technical issue?

For any issues with Canvas you can contact the Technology Assistance Center at elearning@gfcmsu.edu to start a helpdesk ticket or call 406-771-4440.

Is there training available for faculty?

Yes. Use the Teaching and Learning Center to find a training that works best for your schedule. You can also use the Canvas Training Portal to access on-demand options and Live training sessions offered by Canvas.

Where can I find additional Canvas support?

You can access the Canvas Help menu for chat support, or submit a support ticket if needed. You can also use canvas guides and videos.