FAQs

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Courses are automatically populated before the start of the next semester--generally about 90 days before class starts.

Simply send an email to help@smu.edu or call the Help Desk at 8-HELP.

SMU employees can utilize Canvas. Please contact the HelpDesk to put in a ticket.

Please check out this page.

It depends on how many features you want to use in Canvas. Getting started is generally very easy. We suggest starting off using Modules around which to build your course.

We offer one-on-one, formal course, drop-in sessions and more! You can find upcoming training on the IT Training Calendar or by visiting the Academic Technology's Instructional & Teaching Technology Guides. Canvas also has a great online course to orient new instructors.

The Canvas User Manual is online and continuously updated. There is also a Canvas Online Community. In addition, SMU offers one-on-one help, drop in training and formal training classes. Please contact the SMU Help Desk or your school's Academic Technology Service Director (ATSD) for more information.

Chrome, Firefox, and Safari are the best choices. The Canvas Community provides updated information about supported browsers.

No. Canvas is cloud-hosted and should rarely experience regular maintenance windows. It should be available continuously on and off campus.

Modules allow courses to be built in much the same manner as a syllabus and a course outline is constructed. For instance, course Modules containing course content could be built by week and automatically activated/deactivated as the needs of the course dictate. More information on Modules is available online.

You will need to populate or copy your course content into the course shell that is created for you. Your students should already be populated. If you want a "Development Course" (a blank course shell to set up the course beforehand) please contact the SMU Help Desk to set one up. Content created in a Development Course can easily be copied to a live, production course shell.

TAs need to be added via my.smu – specifically using the instructor/advisor table.

You can combine the course sections yourself by following these instructions or contacting the HelpDesk for support.

Just follow these steps to add your profile picture!

Instructions for adding your personal pronouns to this service, and others, can be found on the Using Pronouns with IT Services page.

Be sure to make use of the Course Setup Checklist before your publish your course?

You use the "Student View" feature in Canvas. Here are the instructions to get you started.

It's simple - just follow these instructions.