Introduction
The Canvas Student App allows students to view class material and deadlines on their phones. Do not use the app to submit assignments or quizzes because it is not as robust as a computer.
Canvas is Virginia Tech's learning management system (LMS). Students use Canvas to access learning materials, like assignments, quizzes, feedback, and grades.
- Official courses are automatically created in students' Canvas accounts.
- Canvas provides 24-7 support by phone (833-639-7621) and chat (click Help on any Canvas screen).
The Canvas Student Guide has full instructions on using Canvas. These instructions are specific to Virginia Tech. To see other Canvas topics, please see Using Canvas at Virginia Tech (for Students).
Contents
Instructions
Resources
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Setting Up the App
Installing the App
- Open your device's app store.
- Search for Canvas Student.
- Open the app description and tap Install.
- Tap Open once the app is downloaded and installed onto your phone.
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Logging in
- Open the app.
- Tap Find my school

- Type and select Virginia Tech.

- Sign in with your PID and password.

- Verify with 2-factor Authentication.

- You will be directed to the dashboard.
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Changing Users
To log in to Canvas as another person:
- Tap the menu icon.

- Tap Change User.

- You will be logged out and redirected to the log in screen.
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Changing Settings
- Tap the menu icon in the top left corner.

- Tap the gear icon.

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Changing Profile Information
See How do I manage my profile settings in the Student app on my Android device?
Editing Username
- From Settings, Tap Profile Settings.

- Tap Edit Username.

- Enter the new name.
- Tap Ok.
Editing Profile Photo
- From Settings, tap Profile Settings.

- Tap Edit Photo.
- Take a photo or choose one from your gallery.

- Canvas will update and display this as your profile picture.
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Creating Panda Avatar
- From Settings, Tap Profile Settings.

- Tap Create Panda Avatar.

- Choose the head.
- Choose the body.
- Choose the feet.
- Tap [...] to save it or set it as your avatar

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Managing Push Notifications
- In Settings, Tap Push Notifications.

- Scroll to the notification type you want to receive.
- Tap the slide bar.

- The slide bar for notifications that are turned on will appear in maroon.

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Using the Dashboard
Editing Course Nickname and Color
- Tap [...] next to the course name.
- Tap Edit nickname or Edit course color.

Editing Displayed Courses
- From the Dashboard, tap the pencil icon in the top right corner.

- Tap the star icon beside any course you want on your Dashboard.

- Tap the star again to remove it from your dashboard.
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Seeing All Courses
- From the Dashboard, Tap See All.

- Tap on the course to open it or Tap [...] to edit it.

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Using the Calendar
- Tap the Calendar icon (second icon on the bottom).

- Tap [...]
- Tap Select Calendars. Pick up to 10 courses to display on the Calendar.

- Change views by month, week, and day.
- Tap Create New Event.

- Swipe left on the calendar to view upcoming events.
- Swipe right on the calendar to view past events.
- Tap the calendar icon to return to today's date.

- Tap the arrow icon to hide the calendar.

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Using the To-Do List
Accessing To-Do List
- Lists all upcoming assignments and quizzes that still need to be completed.
- Items are removed once a submission is made to them.
- Tap the To-Do icon at the bottom of the screen.

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Filtering Actions
- In To-Do, tap the funnel icon in the top right.

- Choose how to filter - by course or assignment type.
- Tap Ok.
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Viewing Notifications
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Using Inbox Messaging
Viewing Your Inbox
- Tap the Inbox icon on the bottom far right of the screen.

- You can open, send, and delete conversations.
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Send a new message
- In Inbox, tap [+] in the bottom right.

- Choose the course or group.
- Add a subject.
- Type your message.
- Tap the paperclip icon in the top right to add an attachment.
- Tap the paper airplane icon to send.

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Replying/Forwarding/Deleting Messages
- In Inbox, open the message.
- Tap [...] next to the sender.
- Tap Reply, Forward, Delete.

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Filtering Messages
- In Inbox, tap the down arrow below All Courses.

- Select from All, Unread, Starred, Sent, and Archived.

- Tap the funnel icon in the top right to filter by course.

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Managing Files
Accessing Files
- Tap the menu icon in the top left.

- Tap Files.

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Searching Files
- From Files, tap the magnifying glass icon.

- Type in the name of the file.
- Tap on the file.
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Creating Folder
- From Files, tap [+].
- Tap the folder icon.

- Type the name for the folder.
- Tap Ok.
- Open the folder then upload files in the folder.
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Uploading File
- From Files, tap [+].
- Tap the upload icon.

- Choose where to upload from.

- Tap the file.
- Tap Upload.
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Downloading, Renaming, and Deleting Files
- From Files, tap [...] next to the file name.

- Taping on any will immediately start the process.
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Using Bookmarks (Android Only)
Viewing Bookmarks
- Tap the menu icon in the top left.

- Tap Bookmarks.

See: How do I view Bookmarks in the Student app on my Android device?
Adding Bookmarks
- From Bookmarks, open the page you want bookmarked.
- Tap [...] in the upper right corner.
- Tap Add Bookmark.
- Create name.
- Save.

See: How do I bookmark content in the Student app on my Android device?
Adding to Home, Editing, and Deleting Bookmarks
- From Bookmarks, Tap [...] next to the bookmark.

- Tap Add to home if you want a short-cut on your phone's home-screen.

- Tap Edit to rename your bookmark.
- Tap Delete to remove the bookmark.
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Getting Help
- In Settings, tap Help.

- Select how to report a problem

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