canvas cheat sheet for parents/students

Canvas Cheat Sheet for Parents/Students

How to log onto Canvas from your school-issued Chromebook:

1. Log onto your Chromebook with your Google login credentials provided by your teacher.

2. Open a Google Chrome window. 3. Click on the Chrome App Launcher (waffle) in the

top right corner. 4. Scroll down until you see the Canvas icon and click

to open it.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

bfAtlapzZso

Canvas - Read Aloud Features: Read Speaker webReader Note: This Read Speaker will only read text directly on a page within the Canvas platform. Listen to an entire page

1. When you are on any page in Canvas, you can click on the Read Speaker icon

on the left side of the screen and the Read Speaker tool will open. 2. Simply click the Listen button to listen to the content of an entire Canvas page:

3. An audio player appears and the Read Speaker starts reading the text of the

page out loud.

4. In the player, you can:

○ Pause/restart the reading ○ Stop the reading ○ Use the skip buttons to rewind or forward the audio ○ Adjust the volume ○ Adjust the reading speed ○ Close the player

Listen to just a selected portion of text

1. When you are on any page in Canvas, you can click on the Read Speaker icon

on the left side of the screen and the Read Speaker tool will open. 2. Click and highlight the specific portion of the text you want to be read aloud. 3. Then select Listen from the pop-up menu that appears next to the selected

text.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

biMSe04SZNY (00:00-01:43)

ACPS ACHS Revised 9/28/2020

https://youtu.be/bfAtlapzZso

https://youtu.be/bfAtlapzZso

https://youtu.be/biMSe04SZNY


Canvas - Read Aloud Features: ReadSpeaker Text Aid Note: This Text Aid toll will read any text you copy and paste into it or any documents uploaded to it. Listen to just a selected portion of text

1. When you are in your Canvas course, click on Modules. 2. You should see a Module at the top of the page that says “Text Aid.”

3. Click the “ReadSpeaker Text Aid.” It will take you to a page that says the tool

needs to be loaded in a new browser. Click the Load button to load it.

4. The Text Aid Read Speaker will open in a new browser. On the left side of the

screen, select the New Text button.

5. In your Chrome browser window, go back to the tab with your Canvas course.

You can copy any text from a Canvas page, PDF, Google Doc, etc. and paste it into the Text Aid window. Then press Listen to hear it read aloud.

Upload a file to read aloud Note: You can download and save files, such as Google Docs or PDFs, from your Canvas course and then upload them into Text Aid to be read aloud.

1. Open Text Aid from Canvas (see steps above). 2. If you want to upload a file to Text Aid, you can click on the Library button in

the Text Aid window. Then select the Upload Document button.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

biMSe04SZNY (01:44-08:45)




3. In the New Document window, click the Select Document button, choose the

language you want, and choose a file you have saved on your computer. Then click Upload.

4. Once the document is uploaded, you can click on it to select it to open it up in Text Aid. From there, you can press the Listen button and it will read the information from the document to you.

Canvas - How to Submit Assignments Using the Text Box Note: Your teacher will decide what types of submissions are appropriate for each Assignment. You will see this as an option for submitting if your teacher has allowed it.

1. On the assignment page, press the Submit Assignment button at the top right. 2. In the submission entry window click the tab that says “Text Entry.”

3. In the Rich Content Editor box, type or copy and paste your text. You can use

the tools at the top to edit your text (ex: bold, italicize, underline, etc.). 4. When you are finished typing your assignment, you can click the Submit

Assignment button at the bottom of the window.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/NiSmYB8g5MM




5. After submitting the assignment, your screen will return to the Assignment page. The submission details will be displayed on the top right side of the screen.

Canvas - How to Submit Assignments Using a File Note: Your teacher will decide what types of submissions are appropriate for each Assignment. You will see this as an option for submitting if your teacher has allowed it.

1. On the assignment page, press the Submit Assignment button at the top right. 2. To upload a file from your computer and submit it as your assignment, click

the tab that says “File Upload” in the submission entry window.

3. Click the Choose File button. When the file window appears, locate and click

the name of the file you want to upload. You can upload different types of files such as PDFs, Microsoft Word documents, and photographs. You can also add more than one file if needed.

4. When you are finished adding files to your assignment, you can click the Submit Assignment button at the bottom of the window.

5. After submitting the assignment, your screen will return to the Assignment page. The submission details will be displayed on the top right side of the screen.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

ND9Rm71efIo

Canvas - How to Submit Assignments Using a Video Note: Your teacher will decide what types of submissions are appropriate for each Assignment. You will see this as an option for submitting if your teacher has allowed it. Record a new video

1. On the assignment page, press the Submit Assignment button at the top right. 2. To record a video from your computer and submit it as your assignment, click

the tab that says “Media” in the submission entry window.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

HcCmwYiE8Fs


https://youtu.be/ND9Rm71efIo

https://youtu.be/ND9Rm71efIo

https://youtu.be/HcCmwYiE8Fs

https://youtu.be/HcCmwYiE8Fs

3. Click the Record/Upload Media button. 4. If you want to record a new video, click on the Record Media tab. Then click the

Start Recording button.

5. When you are finished recording, press the Finish button. If you need to start

the recording over again, you can press the Start Over button.

6. Next, review your recording. To review your video, click the Play button. To

save your video, click the text field and enter a title for your video, then click the Save button.

7. When you are finished recording your video, you can click the Submit



8. After submitting the assignment, your screen will return to the Assignment

page. The submission details will be displayed on the top right side of the screen.

Record a video saved on your Chromebook 1. On the assignment page, press the Submit Assignment button at the top right. 2. To upload a video from your computer and submit it as your assignment, click

the tab that says “Media” in the submission entry window.

3. Click the Record/Upload Media button. 4. If you want to upload a video saved on your Chromebook, click on the Upload

Media tab. Click on the Select Video File button. Then find and select the video file saved on your Chromebook. Press Open to begin uploading the video file.

5. When you are finished uploading your video, you can click the Submit



6. After submitting the assignment, your screen will return to the Assignment

page. The submission details will be displayed on the top right side of the screen.

Canvas - How to Submit Google Drive Cloud Assignments Note: Your teacher will decide what types of submissions are appropriate for each Assignment. You will see this as an option for submitting if your teacher has allowed it.

1. Teachers can create a Google Drive Cloud Assignment. This assignment type creates a view of the assignment file that acts as a template for a student’s assignment submission. It makes a copy for each student on their Google Drive that allows students to type on their own copy. Your teacher can assign different types of Google files, such as a Google Doc or Google Slides.

2. Open the Assignment page. You will know if the assignment is a Google Drive Cloud Assignment because it will say it on the page.

3. Your teacher will also have directions at the top of the page explaining what to

do for the assignment. Below that, you will see the name of the Google file in blue words. If you can’t see the assignment very well, you can click on the blue words to open the assignment in a larger window.

4. You can type directly in the assignment or drag and drop items on the screen, depending on what your teacher wants you to do for the assignment. If you opened the assignment in the larger window, you can simply close that window and go back to the tab that has the assignment open in Canvas.

5. When you are finished with the assignment, you can click on the Submit button on the top right side. You will see the submission details below the name of the assignment (blue words).

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

y0rsPAxWjAY


https://youtu.be/y0rsPAxWjAY

https://youtu.be/y0rsPAxWjAY

Canvas - Reviewing Grades/Teacher Feedback Note: You can view grades and teacher feedback for an assignment in Canvas. However, PowerSchool is the source for final grade information. Reach out to your child’s teacher for specific grading questions.

1. Open the Canvas course for which you wish to view grades/feedback. 2. On the navigation menu on the right side, you should see Grades.

3. On the Grades page, you can view all of the assignments for the course. You

will see the name of the assignment, the assignment due date, the assignment status, the score you earned, and the total point value of the assignment. You may also be able to view whether the assignment includes scoring details, comments, or rubrics.

4. When your teacher grades your assignment, the grades page displays a blue

dot next to the assignment. The indicator disappears when you navigate away or refresh the page. Assignment updates may also include additional icons representing submission details:

○ Discussion Icon [2]: Assignment comments from your teacher ○ Check Plus Icon [3]: Scoring details ○ Rubric Icon [4]: Rubric details

5. Be sure to check for the assignment comments to view the feedback from

your teacher on the assignment. Remember, final grade information must be obtained from PowerSchool.

Watch a video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y0OuC7QptveTS0mGMlCG4OMdM-

eA7ZVk/view


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y0OuC7QptveTS0mGMlCG4OMdM-eA7ZVk/view





Canvas - Parent Observer Account Parents can sign up as an observer in Canvas. Observers can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. Check out the Observer Visibility Guide by scanning the QR code on the right to find out more about observer account visibility. Generate a Pairing Code from Student’s Account

1. In Global Navigation, click the Account link, then click the Settings link.

2. On the right side of the screen, Click the Pair with Observer button.

3. Copy the six-digit alphanumeric pairing code. You will need to share the code

with the observer who will link to your account. The pairing code will expire after seven days or its first use. Note: Pairing codes are case sensitive.

4. Click OK to close the window. 5. Repeat this process for each child that you want to observe. In addition, each

parent observer will need their own code as well. Have the child generate another pairing code for this purpose once the first pairing code has been linked to the first observer account.

Create a Canvas Parent Observer Account

1. In a browser window, enter the ACPS Parent Canvas URL or scan the QR code:

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

jEEfhPZpkPc

Observer Visibility Guide

https://s3.amazonaws.com/tr-learncanvas/docs/CanvasObserverVisibilityandParticip

ation.pdf


https://youtu.be/jEEfhPZpkPc


https://s3.amazonaws.com/tr-learncanvas/docs/CanvasObserverVisibilityandParticipation.pdf






https://amherst.instructure.com/login/canvas 2. Click the Need a Canvas Account? Link.

3. In the Parent Signup window, Enter the following information:

○ Enter your name in the Your Name field. ○ Enter your email in the Your Email field. ○ Enter your password in the Password field. ○ Re-enter your password in the Re-enter Password field. ○ Enter the pairing code to link your account to your student in the

Student Pairing Code field. ○ Agree to the terms of use by clicking the You agree to the terms of use

checkbox. ○ Confirm that you are not a robot by completing the Captcha form (if

enabled by your institution). ○ Click the Start Participating button.

4. Now you can begin using your observer account.

Add an Additional Student to an Existing Canvas Account

1. Have your additional child generate a pairing code using the steps above. 2. In Global Navigation, click the Account link, then click the Settings link.

ACPS Parent Canvas:

https://amherst.instructure.com/l

ogin/canvas


https://amherst.instructure.com/login/canvas




3. In User Navigation, click the Observing link.

4. Type the pairing code that your student generated in the Student Pairing Code

field and click the Add Student button.

5. Now you can view the paired student.

6. Once you have linked to a student from the Observing page, you cannot

remove the student. To remove a student, please contact the student's teacher. Note: You can change your notification settings as an Observer. Scan the QR code on the right to learn more.

Observer Notification Preferences:

https://community.canvaslms.co

m/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-set-my-Canvas-notification-preferences-as-an-observ

er/ta-p/558

Additional Information Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have additional questions about using

Canvas Student Guide


https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-set-my-Canvas-notification-preferences-as-an-observer/ta-p/558








Canvas or need more specific information. You may also find answers to your questions through the Canvas Student Guide or Canvas Observer Guide (scan the QR codes to the right).

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/tkb-

p/student

Canvas Observer

Guide

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/tk

b-p/observer

Accessing Content for Offline

Canvas - Accessing Course Content Offline Note: You must be connected to the internet to export the course content. Once it is exported and downloaded to your Chromebook, you can then access it offline. You may drive up to any school location and access WIFI from the school parking lot. Exporting Course Content

1. From the Canvas Dashboard find the Course that needs downloading and click on it.

2. Click Modules on the left side of the page.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/j

EEfhPZpkPc

An additional Video:

https://youtu.be/9oj2reMbJuw


https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/tkb-p/student




https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/tkb-p/observer








3. Click on the Export Course Content button towards the top right of the screen.

4. Wait for the File to ‘process.’ This could go quickly or take several minutes

depending on module size.

5. Then a Zip file should begin downloading. This will save a Zip file of the course

module(s) under Downloads on the Chromebook’s hard drive.

6. Once the Download finishes click Show in Folder. Or, click on Downloads.

7. Within My Files under Downloads you should see your Zip file for your Course

with a Zip icon.


8. Double click on the zip file icon to “unzip” the file. It will open a folder with no

zipper icon. Click on that folder (with no zipper) and drag & drop it under My Files on the left. This will ‘make a copy’, which may take a few minutes, and extract the contents of the Zip file outside of your Downloads folder so the course.

9. If drag and drop does not work to ‘make a copy’ as shown above, you can

right click (you "right-click" by tapping the touchpad with two fingers on Chromebook touchpad) on the zip file and choose copy, then click on My Files and right click and select ‘paste’ and that should start the ‘make a copy’.

Accessing Downloaded Course Content

1. When at home or offline, to view the contents of the downloaded Course Modules, sign into the Chromebook under the same student account that did the download.

2. Then navigate to the My Files area. To do that, click on the Launcher/Start Menu circle at the bottom left corner, then click on Files icon (hit up arrow if it’s not visible to find it).

3. Double click on the folder of exported course content you downloaded earlier.

Then double click on the file that says “index.html”

4. It will open the course offline from the Module view. From this view you can

navigate the course just as you would online. You will be able to view the majority of the content your teacher has placed in the course. Note: Some files


and links may or may not work due to being offline (ex: YouTube videos). Your teachers will be trying to limit this as much as possible.


Google Classroom Cheat Sheet for Parents/Students

How to log onto Google Classroom from your school-issued Chromebook:

1. Log onto your Chromebook with your Google login credentials provided by your teacher.

2. Open a Google Chrome window. 3. Click on the Chrome App Launcher (waffle)

in the top right corner. 4. Scroll down until you see the Google

Classroom icon and click to open it.

How to turn on Select-to-Speak on your Chromebook:

1. Click on the time (lower right) 2. Click on Accessibility 3. Click on Select-to-Speak

If Accessibility is not an option

1. Click the gear icon 2. On the left side click Advanced 3. Then click Accessibility 4. Turn on Always show accessibility options in the

systems menu 5. Follow the steps above

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/Mk5BuCaV0r

k

How to use Select-to-Speak: 1. After you turn on Select-to-Speak you should have a

speaker icon in the lower right corner near the time. 2. Click the speaker icon 3. Using your mouse cursor click and drag to draw a box

around the text you want to be read to you then let go of the mouse button. 4. Wait 3 seconds for the text to be read

How to Turn in an Assignment: Note: For some assignments, the teacher will provide the file to you. Some lessons you will create the file and attach it to the assignment. Teacher provided file

1. On the Classwork tab, open the assignment

2. Open the file provided by the teacher and complete the work

3. Once the work is complete go back the assignment

4. Click View Assignment 5. Click the Turn in button

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/

OgRVhpQisWs


https://youtu.be/Mk5BuCaV0rk



https://youtu.be/OgRVhpQisWs

https://youtu.be/OgRVhpQisWs

Student created file After you have completed your work

1. On the Classwork tab, open the assignment

2. Click View Assignment (see above) 3. Click the + Add or create button 4. Choose Google Drive 5. Locate the file you want to turn in 6. Repeat steps 3-5 for each file you need to

turn in 7. Click the Turn in button

Google Classroom - Reviewing Grades/Teacher Feedback Note: You can view grades and teacher feedback for an assignment in Google Classroom. However, PowerSchool is the source for final grade information. Reach out to your child’s teacher for specific grading questions.

1. Go to the Classwork tab 2. Select the assignment 3. Click on View Assignment

You will see the grade if your teacher has put one and any comments they made. Teachers are not required to put grades in Google Classroom. PowerSchool is the best place to go to see student grades.

Google Classroom Guardian Parents can request to be a guardian in Google Classroom. When you are a guardian in a Google Classroom you will receive a weekly newsletter. You will need to contact your student’s teacher and ask to be made a guardian in Google Classroom. You will need to provide an email address that you want the newsletter sent to. You will then receive an invitation that you must accept in order to start receiving the weekly newsletter.

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/1-TOCNweIfs




Additional Information Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have additional questions about using Google Classroom or need more specific information.

https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/9582544

Google Classroom - Accessing Course Content Offline Note: You must be connected to the internet to download files. Once they are downloaded to your Chromebook, you can then access it offline. You may drive up to any school location and access WIFI from the school parking lot. Checking to see if Offline mode is turned on

1. Check to see if Offline Mode is enabled 2. Open Google Drive - https://drive.google.com/

3. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner 4. Select Settings 5. Make sure there is a checkmark next to “Create, open and edit your recent…”

Making files available offline

1. Open Google Classroom - https://classroom.google.com/ 2. Open your class and go to the Classwork tab 3. You will need to open each assignment and open each file attached to each

assignment

Watch a video:

https://youtu.be/Y76CFLrYwB4






https://drive.google.com/

https://classroom.google.com/



If the files are Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides all you will need to do is open the file and it will be available offline. Check to see if a Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides file is available offline

1. Go to the Classwork tab 2. Open the Class Drive Folder

3. Look for the icon (upper left) 4. Turn on Offline Preview 5. Any files that are dark are available

offline. Any files that are gray are not available. If it is not available turn off preview, open the file and then check offline preview again. For all other file types they will need to be downloaded

1. Click on the file

2. Go to the three dots in the upper right corner 3. Select Open in new window

4. Click on the download icon Accessing Downloaded Files

1. When at home or offline, to view the contents of the downloaded Course Modules, sign into the Chromebook under the same student account that did the download.

2. Then navigate to the My Files area. To do that, click on the Launcher/Start Menu circle at the bottom left corner, then click on Files icon (hit up arrow if it’s not visible to find it).

3. Open the downloads folder to find the files that were downloaded to the

Chromebook


canvas cheat sheet for parents/students

Documents