How do I navigate my student's subject as an observer?

This lesson applies to users at institutions that have enabled the Canvas for Elementary user interface.

If you are enrolled as an observer in a Canvas for Elementary subject, the Subject Home Page helps you navigate your student's subject and manage their coursework.

Note: If you do not have an active observer enrollment in a Canvas for Elementary subject, the classic Course view displays.

Open Subject

Open Subject

In Global Navigation, click the Subjects link [1], then click the name of the subject [2].

View Subject Home Page

In the Home tab [1], you can view subject announcements, if added by your student's instructor [2].

You can also view the Subject Home Page [3].

Notes:

  • Only the most recent subject announcement displays on the Subject Home page.
  • Subject announcements are automatically hidden after two weeks.
  • If the Home tab does not display in your student's subject, it has been hidden by your student's instructor.

View Subject Schedule

In the Schedule tab [1], you can view various action items for your student's subject this week.

Each item displays the item name [2], number of points (if points have been assigned) [3], and the due date [4].

Each item also displays an icon to differentiate between different assignment types and other items in the Schedule [5].

When an online assignment is submitted, the item is automatically marked as completed. To view completed assignments, click the Show completed item dropdown [6].

To view item details, click the name of the item [7].

To view missing tasks (if any), click the Show missing items dropdown.

View Subject Modules

In the Modules tab, you can view modules for your student's subject [1]. Modules can include assignments, discussions, quizzes, pages, files, links, and external tools.

To collapse an individual module, click the module's collapse icon [2].

To collapse all modules, click the Collapse All button [3].

To view details for a module item, click the item's title [4].

Note: If the Modules tab does not display in your student's subject, it has been hidden by your student's instructor.

View Subject Grades

In the Grades tab [1], you can view your student's overall subject grade if allowed by their instructor [2].

To view assignment group totals, click the View Assignment Group Totals dropdown [3].

You can view an assignment's submission status in the Assignment column [4].

Graded items display scores in the Score column [5].

To view assignment details for an item, click the item name [6].

Notes:

  • If your student's instructor has hidden total subject grades, dashes display in place of the total subject grade.
  • If the Grades tab does not display in your student's subject, it has been hidden by your student's instructor.

View Subject Resources

In the Resources tab [1], you can view important information your student's instructor has added to the subject [2].

Notes:

  • If content has not been added to Important Information, the Important Information section does not display.
  • If student applications have not been added to the homeroom, the Student Applications section does not display.
  • If student applications and important information has not been added to the subject, the Resources tab does not display.

View Subject Groups

If the subject includes at least one active group, the Groups tab displays [1].

In the Groups tab, you can view all subject groups.

To search for a group or person, use the Search field [2].

To view group users, click the group's Expand icon [3].

If your student is a member of a group, you can visit their group page. To visit your student's group page, click the Visit link [4].

A Lock icon appears for groups in which your student is not a member [5].

Note: If the Groups tab does not display, your student's subject does not have any active groups.