Logging In

There are three ways to log in to Canvas:

- - Go directly to online.utk.edu
  - Go directly to utk.instructure.com
  - Visit myutk.utk.edu, click the Canvas logo

Using Canvas

- - Canvas
  - Canvas Student App

Available for download free from the Apple® App Store or Google Play.

Setting your Notifications

You can customize your notification settings by clicking the Account icon in the grey navigation menu, then Notifications. We recommend that you receive immediate notifications for important course communications, including Announcements and Conversations. For additional details, please visit our Canvas Notifications Settings for Students support page.

Contacting your Instructor

You can send a message to your instructor by using the Inbox feature. To send a new message:

1. 1. Click Inbox on the grey navigation menu
  2. Click the Pencil Icon to create a new message
  3. Use the drop-down menus to select the appropriate course and instructor

Communication

- - Chat
  - Conversations (Email within Canvas)
  - Groups

Participating in a Discussion

To participate in a Canvas discussion board:

1. 1. Click the title of the discussion (via Discussions on the course menu and/or in a module)
  2. To reply to the main discussion, type your reply in the Reply field and click Post Reply
  3. To reply to a comment already posted by another student, locate the post you want to reply to and click Reply; type your response, and then click Post Reply

Be sure to review the new features in the Discussions Redesign [features available as of May 15, 2024].

Finding Your Courses

When you log in to Canvas, the first thing you see is your Dashboard, which includes customizable, color-coded cards for your current courses; a To-Do list, and recent Feedback from your courses. If you cannot find a course on your Dashboard, click the Courses icon, then the All Courses link.

Accessing Course Content

Within each course, you will typically find content (readings, lectures, etc.) in Modules. You can also check Pages or Files.

Taking a Quiz or Exam

Review our Tips for Canvas Quizzes

To take a quiz or exam on Canvas:

1. 1. Click the title of the quiz/exam (via Quizzes on the course menu and/or in a module)
  2. Click the Take the Quiz button

The settings your instructor selects will determine how the quiz/exam operates. You may see all questions at once, or you may see them one at a time. The quiz/exam may also be timed and use Proctorio.

Viewing Grades

You can view your grades by clicking on Grades in the course menu. Canvas's What If feature allows you to enter hypothetical grades for upcoming assignments.

Submitting Assignments

To upload a file for an assignment in Canvas:

1. 1. Click the title of the Assignment (via Assignments on the course menu and/or via a Module).
  2. Read the assignments directions carefully.
  3. Click Submit Assignment.
  4. Review the three phases of submitting an assignment.

The following video walks you through creating a Zoom recording file, uploading the file into Canvas Studio, and submitting that Canvas Studio file as an assignment submission.

How to Join a Zoom Meeting from your Canvas course
Participation Rules for live Zoom sessions

Calendar

The Calendar is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. You can view calendar events by day, week, month, or agenda list. The Calendar also includes access to the Scheduler, which is an optional scheduling tool in Canvas.

Video Tutorials

Using Canvas

Communication

Chat
Conversations (Email within Canvas)
Discussions
Groups

Online Assessment, Assignments, & Grades