Canvas: Getting Started for New Instructors

Tags canvas

This article provides getting started information to ease on-boarding and help users get started with Canvas while exploring additional learning resources.

Canvas allows you to:

  • Conduct online, asynchronous discussions with your students;
  • Collect assignments, provide feedback, and post grades;
  • Post links; upload documents, videos, audio files, and more;
  • Post deadlines and reminders through the calendar and announcements;
  • Manage group work assignments;
  • Integrate video conferencing with individual students, a whole class, or guest speakers;
  • Communicate easily with the whole class, specific groups, or individual students.

Setting up a Canvas site for a new term

The following list directs you to resources that support instructors and students in getting acquainted with using Canvas.

Logging into your Canvas account 

All active Middlebury faculty, students, and staff can log into Canvas using their Middlebury credentials.

Logging in to your account:

  1. Go to middlebury.instructure.com.
  2. Enter your Middlebury e-mail and pssword credentials

Canvas can also be accessed from a mobile devices via the Canvas app:

Creating a Canvas Site for a Course listed in the Course Catalog

Here are some key resources to get you started with Canvas and setting up a Canvas site:

Additional Canvas Getting Started Resources

Digital Teaching Resources

The Office of Digital Learning & Inquiry (DLINQ) provides guidance on pedagogical practices and strategies related to teaching/learning with tech on-ground, online, or in a hybrid mode. Instructors getting started may schedule a consultation with a DLINQ team member.

Print Article

Related Articles (4)

A Canvas site is accessible according to the academic term course dates set by the Registrar. The course end date is typically set to the final day of classes plus thirty days for grading. Instructors can change this for active courses where the current students may need access to the site beyond the course end date.
A brief description of all the items available under Navigation in Middlebury's Canvas courses.
As an instructor, there are times when you may need or want to share access to a Canvas site. someone to be able to see how you structure your course or you want to share the content for other reasons, you have two options. If you want to keep things in Canvas, then you’ll want to request an archive copy of your site. You may prefer to export your course in ePub format if your goal is less about the Canvas experience, request and ARCHIVE Canvas site and copy your content.
Faculty up for contract renewal, promotion, or tenure review may need to share online curricular materials with the review committee.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Canvas is Middlebury's enterprise learning management system. It provides tools to create online course sites that enable course communications, forums, assessments, file sharing, and other activities.