Canvas Navigation

[RichardHartford]

I was just curious if anyone else is struggling figuring out this website and how it works. In ASU 101, we used Yellowdig, and that was very easy to navigate. For some reason, I have found this to be very difficult to work with. I wanted to see if anyone else has been struggling, and for those that have it figured it out, what kind of tips do you have to make it easier?

[JeffCampbell · Accepted solution]

To better help you, please clarify site you are needing assistance navigating. Is it Canvas or something else. Yellowdig is a discussion tool, not a learning management system like Canvas, so if you mean Canvas, it likely has way more features than Yellowdig.

If you do mean Canvas, is there a particular area you would like assistance with that someone on here can help you understand? There is a set of Student Guides, but maybe you have a specific question and we would be glad to get you pointed in the right direction if we cannot answer it. Canvas Student Guides

[RichardHartford · Accepted solution]

There wasn't a specific question that I had. It was more so the basic Navigation of Canvas. Yes, Canvas is much more complex than Yellowdig is. It is not as easy to navigate thus far, at least for me. Even with the student guide, I still find it difficult to navigate through. I am positive it will get easier the more that I learn about it and interact with it. I was mainly  just curious for the people who know more about it, if they had any tips that they found that made it easier for them to use this platform. I appreciate the response and I will definitely reach out if I have any questions. Thank you for your help.

[JeffCampbell · Accepted solution]

To better help you, please clarify site you are needing assistance navigating. Is it Canvas or something else. Yellowdig is a discussion tool, not a learning management system like Canvas, so if you mean Canvas, it likely has way more features than Yellowdig.

If you do mean Canvas, is there a particular area you would like assistance with that someone on here can help you understand? There is a set of Student Guides, but maybe you have a specific question and we would be glad to get you pointed in the right direction if we cannot answer it. Canvas Student Guides

[RichardHartford · Accepted solution]

There wasn't a specific question that I had. It was more so the basic Navigation of Canvas. Yes, Canvas is much more complex than Yellowdig is. It is not as easy to navigate thus far, at least for me. Even with the student guide, I still find it difficult to navigate through. I am positive it will get easier the more that I learn about it and interact with it. I was mainly  just curious for the people who know more about it, if they had any tips that they found that made it easier for them to use this platform. I appreciate the response and I will definitely reach out if I have any questions. Thank you for your help.

[JeffCampbell · Accepted solution]

My students went through the same thing when we first transitioned to Canvas. A few workflow tips to possibly help:

• Dashboard shows your classes. Courses (the option on the left just below Dashboard) is a bit quicker way to jump from one class to another.
• The far left Site menu helps you jump between courses, calendar, an inbox, and a few other site-wide features.
• When you open a course, a second menu appears to the right of the Site menu. That is your Course menu. The following items are things found on the Course menu.
• All teachers set things up different for the initial page. Some create a Front Page, some use the Syllabus (a summary plus a list of assignments), some jump straight to Modules.
• Modules is like an outline/index for your course. If set up well, you should be able to access anything you need there, hopefully organized with good headings.
• Pages are like the textbook.
• Assignments are...the assignments. 😋
  
  • Submit work at the bottom of assignments. You can add comments using a button at the top.
• Grades shows what you have/have not turned in, plus the grade and any feedback given by the teacher.

That's my normal general overview for students.

When you do have those questions, many of us on here will be ready to assist. It is a bit of a learning curve at first, but once you see how it works, it won't be so bad. Best wishes for speedy understanding and have a nice day.