Welcome to the start of something extraordinary!

Once you’re logged in, you’ll find yourself on your Canvas dashboard. It’s your hub for everything related to your courses. On the left-hand side, you’ll see the Global Navigation Menu. This menu contains essential tools, so let’s start by exploring the Account menu.

Create Your Profile: Click on the Settings link under the Account menu. Here, you can upload a profile picture to help your classmates and instructors get to know you better.

Set Your Notifications: Click on the Notifications link. This is where you control how Canvas sends you notifications about course activities. You can choose what events to be notified about and how often you receive these notifications. For example, you might want immediate notifications for assignment due date changes to stay on top of your coursework.

Manage Contact Preferences: If you’d like Canvas notifications to be sent to a different email address other than your college email, you can set it up under Settings within the Account menu. You can also customize notification preferences for each contact method you add.

Back on your dashboard, you’ll find several helpful features:

Announcements: Here, you’ll see any announcements made by the Toronto School of Management team.

To-Do List: On the right-hand side, your to-do list will automatically populate with upcoming tasks. Clicking on an item will take you directly to the relevant course material.

Recent Feedback: This section lets you quickly check if any of your assignments have been graded and returned to you.

Course Listings: Below the announcements, you’ll find all your active courses listed. If a course hasn’t started yet, don’t worry; it will appear here once it’s published. If you don’t see a course you’re registered for, you can find it under “All Courses”.

Remember, your Canvas courses may take up to 24 hours to appear after registration, so be patient.

Canvas Inbox is your internal messaging system for communication within your courses, whether with instructors or classmates. While it’s not a regular email, most instructors prefer all communication to be conducted through Canvas Inbox. You’ll see a notification next to the Inbox icon when you have new messages.

If you need to contact your instructor, simply select the course and click on the address book icon to find them. You can write your message, attach files, and hit send just like in a regular email.

Congratulations! You’ve now mastered the essentials of Canvas. We hope this detailed tutorial has made your experience smoother and more enjoyable. Canvas is designed to enhance your learning, and with this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of it.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Academics Department. They’re always available to help you succeed. Happy learning!

Now, let’s dive into the heart of your course! Modules are your instructor’s way of organizing the course content. Typically, you’ll find an orientation module, often titled “Introduction and Resources,” which contains all the crucial information you would traditionally get on the first day of an in-person class, like the Learning Outcomes and Instructor’s Background Experiences.

Beyond the orientation module, most courses will have a module for each day of the course. These daily modules contain all the materials and assignments you need for that week. Keep in mind that different courses may have unique setups, but this is a common structure.

On the left-hand side of your screen, you’ll see various tabs or links, depending on how your instructor has set up the course.

Now, let’s explore the different types of items you might find in your course.

1. Announcements

This page is another source of information. Instructors and the Academics Team can include timetables, text, and media, like YouTube videos or lecture notes. Clicking on a page lets you access its content.

2. Discussions

A discussion is an interactive item represented by talk bubble icons. Your instructor may require you to participate in discussions. Pay attention to the due dates and specific instructions in the discussion prompt. When you’re ready to reply to a discussion, click the “Reply” button below the discussion post. You’ll see a text box and the rich content editor, which allows you to format your response, insert links, and even record videos using your webcam.

Remember, discussions are visible to both your instructor and your classmates, so maintain a respectful tone in your responses.

3. Assignments

Assignments are tasks you need to complete, denoted by a pencil and paper icon. Pay attention to due dates, point values, and submission instructions. You can either type your response directly in the text entry box or upload a file containing your work. After completing the assignment, click “Submit.”

Instructors might offer multiple submission attempts, but be cautious about resubmitting, as they may have specific policies for late work.

4. Quizzes

Quizzes are indicated by a rocket icon. Before starting a quiz, understand its time limit, the number of questions, and any allowed attempts. You’ll find different question types, such as multiple-choice, true/false, multiple-select, matching, and essay. The quiz interface provides a timer to help you keep track of time while taking the quiz.

5. Viewing Your Grades

Tracking your academic progress is essential for a successful learning journey. You can easily monitor your performance by navigating to the “Grades” tab. Here, you will find a comprehensive breakdown of your overall grade, individual assignment scores, and any pending assignments. Keep in mind that your missing assignments might not reflect zeros until your instructor enters the grades.

It’s worth highlighting that maintaining good academic standing is crucial. To achieve this, aim for a minimum overall score of 60% and ensure you attend at least 70% of your scheduled classes in all your modules.

6. Online Class & In-Person Class Details

Whether you’re attending classes online or in person, you’ll find all the necessary information about your classes in one convenient location. The hybrid module is designed for all programs and modules at TSOM, making it easy for you to access your class details.

This page provides the links and passwords required to join your online classes. Additionally, you’ll find the classroom number for your in-person classes, ensuring a seamless transition between different modes of learning.

7. Student Support

We understand that students may have various needs and queries during their academic journey. You’ll find all the information you need right here, whether you need to consult with an Academic Advisor, access TSOM Library resources, or seek guidance concerning your health insurance provider.

This section serves as a valuable resource hub, connecting you with the support and guidance necessary to make your educational experience as smooth and rewarding as possible.

That’s a lot to take in, but don’t worry—you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Canvas is designed to make your online learning experience straightforward and accessible. If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructor or the Academics department for help.

Now, go ahead and explore your Canvas course with confidence! Good luck with your studies, and enjoy your learning journey!

Now, let’s talk about our secret weapon, the Self-Service Kiosk!  It’s located on the 3rd floor, and it’s like having a personal assistant at your fingertips. You can use this kiosk to check your daily schedule, including the time and classroom numbers.

But how do you use it? Easy-peasy! We’ve prepared a video to guide you through the process. Check it out in the next video. With your student number, you can easily access all the schedule information you need. It’s like magic!

We’re here to support you at every step, making sure you’re never lost or late for your classes. Your schedule is your best friend, and with a little help from the Self-Service Kiosk, you’ll be the master of your schedule in no time.

So, whether you’re in an in-person class or following online, you’ve got everything you need to succeed right at your fingertips.

Now, let’s focus on the grades you’ve earned. You’ve got a bunch of percentages on your transcript. To assign a meaningful value to each of these percentages, see the fictional example below for the Diploma in Business Administration Co-op:

It’ll help you find the corresponding grade point value for each percentage.

Here’s where the math comes in, but don’t worry; it’s simple math. For each module, multiply the credit value by the grade point value you found in Step 1. Repeat this for all your modules, and then add up all the totals. For this fictional example, the total is 45.99.

You’ve almost made it! Now, to find your GPA, divide the total from Step 3 by the total credit value, which we determined in Step 1. In this example, your GPA would be 45.99 divided by 15 credits.

Remember, your GPA isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of your hard work and dedication. It’s a tool to ensure you’re on the right track towards your academic goals. And, if you ever feel uncertain about your grades, don’t hesitate to reach out to your academic advisor for support.

Now, you’re equipped with the knowledge to easily calculate your GPA. Stay focused, keep up the good work, and keep smiling on your academic journey. We’re here to help you every step of the way!