nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Canvas LMS Basics Guide

How do I use the Dashboard?

Child Item

The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. The Dashboard helps you see what is happening in all your current courses.

You can return to your User Dashboard at any time by clicking the Dashboard link in Global Navigation.

Note: Instructors can access the Course Setup Tutorial, which makes the Dashboard responsive to the full width of the browser.

View the video transcript

00:05: How do I use the dashboard?

00:07: In global navigation. Click the dashboard link.

00:11: The dashboard is your landing page in canvas, depending on your institution,

00:16: your dashboard, May default to one of three views, card view list, view,

00:20: or recent activity View,

00:22: Or observers to filter your dashboard by a linked student.

00:25: Click the student drop-down menu.

00:29: When enabled, instructors can see an alert icon on a course card when course grades

00:33: and content haven't been exported. Instructors can download the course content,

00:38: export student grades, or dismiss the reminder.

00:42: Card view displays course cards for quick access to all your favorite courses.

00:46: The same courses display in the courses, link from the global navigation menu,

00:50: observers only see courses for the students.

00:53: They're observing

00:55: Recent activity, view displays, all recent activity for all courses.

01:00: This view displays all course to do items in an agenda View.

01:05: The dashboard may also include Global announcements which are announcements created

01:10: by your institution to remove the announcement from your dashboard.

01:14: Click the remove icon,

01:17: If you dismiss a global announcement, you can view dismissed announcements on

01:21: the global announcements page.

01:23: To change your dashboard view, click the options, menu and select your preferred viewing

01:28: option.

01:29: When set to card view or recent activity view, the dashboard also includes

01:34: a sidebar. The sidebar includes a to-do lists upcoming assignments,

01:38: links to recent feedback, and buttons for creating a course or

01:42: viewing grades.

01:44: This guidde covered how to use the dashboard.

Open Dashboard

Global Navigation with the Dashboard link highlighted.

In Global Navigation, click the Dashboard link.

View Dashboard

Canvas Dashboard displaying the Card View layout of course cards.

The Dashboard is your landing page in Canvas. Depending on your institution, your Dashboard may default to one of three views: Card View, List View, or Recent Activity View.

Card View: displays course cards for quick access to all your favorite courses (the same courses display in the Courses link from the Global Navigation Menu)
List View: displays all course to-do items in an agenda view
Recent Activity View: displays all recent activity for all courses

View Student Dashboards

Dashboard with the Student drop-down menu and a student's name highlighted.

For observers, to filter your dashboard by a linked student, click the Student drop-down menu [1], then select the student's name [2]. The dashboard will update to display the selected student's dashboard view.

View Course Backup Reminders

Course card alert menu with the download course, download grades, and dismiss options highlighted.

When enabled, instructors can see an alert icon on a course card when course grades and content haven't been exported [1]. Instructors can download the course content [2], export student grades [3], or dismiss the reminder [4].

View Global Announcement

Dashboard with a global announcement's Remove icon highlighted.

The Dashboard may also include global announcements, which are announcements created by your institution. To remove the announcement from your dashboard, click the Remove icon.

View Dismissed Announcement

Global Announcements page showing a dismissed announcement.

If you dismiss a global announcement, you can view dismissed announcements on the Global Announcements page.

Change Dashboard View

Dashboard with the Options menu highlighted.

To change your Dashboard view, click the Options menu and select your preferred viewing option.

Dashboard sidebar showing the To Do list, upcoming assignments, and recent feedback links.

When set to Card View or Recent Activity View, the Dashboard also includes a sidebar. The sidebar includes a To Do list, upcoming assignments, and links to recent feedback.

For more information about the To Do List, refer to the instructor and student guides.

Help make the guides even better!

Have a suggestion, spot a typo, or notice something outdated? Sign in and let us know!

Child Item

Canvas LMS Basics Guide

Still have a question about this topic? Ask the Community!

Ask a Question