Introduction
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 LMS Instructor Guide and the Canvas LMS Student Guide have full instructions on using Canvas. These instructions are specific to Virginia Tech. To see other Canvas topics, please see:
Contents
Instructions
Overview
Canvas does not provide a way to download an entire course. Students can save certain types of content while they still have access, but not all content can be downloaded.
After the term ends, Canvas courses often become read-only. Files or submissions may still be downloadable, though this is not guaranteed. Access to course content is controlled by the instructor and may change after the course ends. If access to course materials is restricted, contact the instructor.
Students should download or save any content they wish to keep before course access ends. Canvas does not provide a way to retrieve course materials after access is removed.
This guide outlines the types of content students can save from Canvas while they still have access.
Students can save content in the following ways:
- Download assignment submissions
- Download course files shared by the instructor
- Use Ally Alternative Formats (if available) to access other course content
What Students Can Download
1. Assignment Submissions
Students can download:
- Files they submitted to assignments
- Files returned with instructor feedback (if provided)
See: How do I download assignment submissions from all my courses?
Note: Submissions entered as text, media recordings, or external tools may not be downloadable.
2. Course Files
Students can download files shared by their instructor, typically available through the Files area or linked within the course.
See: How do I download a file or folder?
3. Personal Files
Students can download files stored in their Canvas “Files” area (personal storage separate from course materials).
See: How do I download a file or folder?
Content Without Built-in Download Options
Some types of course content do not include a built-in download option in Canvas, such as:
- Pages
- Assignment instructions
- Syllabus content
- Discussion posts
This content does not have a built-in download option but may be accessed using tools like Ally Alternative Formats.
Ally Alternative Formats
Ally Alternative Formats allow students to download generated versions of course content, such as Pages, Assignment instructions, and Syllabus content, in formats such as ePub, audio, or other alternative formats.
These provide a readable version of content but do not include all course materials and may not fully reflect how content appears in Canvas.
See: How to use Ally to Download Alternative Formats of Content
Course Content Export Options
Canvas includes an export option in Modules that allows students to download a version of course content as an ePub file, but it only works if the instructor has organized content in Modules. This is not the same as downloading individual content items in Canvas.
This is an additional option and may not be available or complete in all courses.
This option:
- Only includes content organized in Modules
- Content outside of Modules will not be included
- Does not include submissions, grades, or external tools
- Provides a simplified, read-only version of content
- Must be downloaded before course access ends; it cannot be generated afterward
See: How do I view course content offline as an ePub file?
Getting Help
For instructions on resolving common issues with Canvas, see:
- Troubleshooting Canvas (for Instructors)
- Troubleshooting Canvas (For Students)
- Recommended Browser Privacy and Security Settings for Canvas
Instructure, the creators of Canvas, provide 24-7 Canvas support, including live chat and a support hotline.
To get Canvas help, click Help on any Canvas screen and choose from help options:
- Search the Canvas Guides: Search Canvas documentation.
- Chat with Canvas Support: Open a chat window in Canvas (or call the phone number).
- Contact Virginia Tech 4Help: Submit an incident on 4Help or call 540-231-4357.
- Browse Virginia Tech Resources: See other Canvas Knowledge Base articles.
- Report a Problem: Submit a Canvas support case by filling out a short form.
- Ask the Community: Go to Canvas user community resources.
- Submit a Feature Idea: Search a list of current feature idea conversations. Add to an existing conversation or start your own!