Canvas Resources Canvas Tips

Best Web Browsers for Canvas

We recommend the Chrome, Firefox and Safari web browsers for Canvas. We have found that Chrome to provide the most consistent and glitch-free experience. We have found that Explorer and Edge don’t “play well” with Canvas, particularly with the Submit button for Assignments and Quizzes. We suggest that you have at least two browsers installed on your computer so if you run into an issue with one, you can easily switch to the other if you run into an issue. It is important to keep your browsers, Adobe, and Java updated.

Set Your Notification Preferences

Do you want an email when your instructor grades an assignment or sends out an announcement? Do you want these notifications ASAP or only once a day? Canvas allows you to set things up exactly the way you want them so take advantage of it! You can even adjust your settings for each individual course.

Feedback and Grades

Check out the "How to Review Assignment Feedback" page for more information on how to find the feedback your instructor leaves on your assignments.

As a student, you can view your grades based on “What If” scores which let you know how your overall grade will be affected by upcoming assignments. Go to your course and click on Grades, then enter a hypothetical grade for any ungraded items.

Read more about “What-If” scores.

Going Mobile?

The Canvas mobile apps can be helpful to access your courses while you are on the go. While most features are now available on the web version (computer), iOs and Android, there are some small variances. It is important to be familiar with the options before you are up against a deadline. We strongly encourage that you use a computer or laptop when taking quizzes and exams.

Mobile Features Chart (shows which features are available on web, iOs and Android)
Android Guide
IOS Guide

Avoid Losing Your Discussion Response

It’s a good practice to first save longer discussion and assignment responses in a Word document (or Notepad) before pasting it into your Canvas assignment. This avoids losing your work in case of any kind of glitch during the submission process. If that happens, you’ll still have a back-up of all your hard work.

Download and Save Your Assignments

There is a quick and easy way to download all the assignment files you've submitted to Canvas so you have a record of your work (which could be helpful in transferring to another school/program or even a job application).

Learn how to download your assignment submissions.

Where to Get Help

Click the "help" icon in the global navigation to see all of the help options available.