Technology

Canvas Communication Help Guide

Browse a curated collection of online help resources from Canvas and the larger Canvas community along with Illinois State University created Canvas resources. See our Canvas Overview for even more information and check out more Canvas Faculty Resources. 

  • Announcements

You can create an announcement to share important information with all users within your course and with users in sections of a course. Watch video

Canvas Guide: How do I add an announcement in a course?
Illinois State University Help Article: Send Canvas Announcements to Student MS 365 Email Inboxes

  • Calendar

This tool helps students and instructors keep track of all the assignments planned throughout the term, keeping everyone on schedule and up to date. Watch video

Canvas Guide: What is the Calendar?
Illinois State University Help Article: Accessing Your Calendar in Canvas

  • Discussions

Discussions allow for interactive communication between two or more people; users can participate in a conversation with an entire class or group. Watch video

Canvas Guide: Discussions Overview 
Illinois State University Help Article: Enabling Anonymous Discussions in Canvas

  • Groups

Groups are a small version of a course and are used as a collaborative tool where students can work together on group projects and assignments. Watch video

Canvas Guide: What are Groups?

  • Inbox

The Inbox displays messages chronologically. It allows you to view and reply to conversations and sort them by course or type. Watch video

Canvas Guide: How do I use the Inbox?  
Illinois State University Help Article: Sending Email from Canvas to Outlook (Faculty)

  • People

People shows all the users enrolled in your course, either added by your or your institution via SIS import. Watch video

Canvas Guide: How do I use the People page in a course as an instructor?
Illinois State University Help Article:

  • Scheduler

Scheduler is a Calendar tool that creates appointment groups within a course or group. Students can sign up for a time slot within the appointment group.

Canvas Guide: How do I add an appointment group in a course calendar?

  • Syllabus

The Syllabus in Canvas makes it easy to communicate to your students exactly what will be required of them throughout the course in chronological order. Watch video

Canvas Guide: How do I use the Syllabus as an instructor?
Illinois State University Help Article: Creating a Syllabus

  • Zoom in Canvas

Zoom is able to be used in Canvas to help with your classes. Here are some articles to help you with that.

Illinois State University Help Articles:

  • Microsoft Teams in Canvas

Microsoft Teams can be used with your Canvas Course to help you communicate with your students.

Illinois State University Help Articles:


How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at: