Canvas & Technical Support

Use the dropdown pages below to locate how-to's, links to guides, and videos.

Tips for Success as an Online Student

Tips for Success as an Online Student

Make an Appointment with Yourself

Begin planning now for private, uninterrupted time in your schedule to complete the assignments – preferably in at least one-hour blocks and at least three times a week. It can be easy to fall behind!
Check your email and Inbox Conversations regularly.
Set notifications to keep you up to date on announcements.
Use the conversations feature (click Inbox on the global navigation) for private messages to the instructor and other students. The discussion forum is for public messages.
If you have questions or feel uncertain about an assignment, take action promptly! Before you email your instructor, post your questions in the class Question & Answer Forum or reach out to a classmate. A peer may be able to provide an answer sooner than the instructor. Chances are, if you have a question, others do too. Using this forum lets everyone benefit from the response. Subscribe to this discussion forum to receive regular notifications when new posts are made.
Read directions carefully and more than once!

Other Key Skills

Build a "problem-solving" network! Successful online students are really good at making use of the internet and classmates to help them solve problems:
- Google it! Ask Google "How do I? What is?"
- YouTube it? Ask "Show me how to ___"
- Phone or Text or What's App a classmate. Better yet, start a squad, a study group, a homework group ... any group! Have a way to message other students who are having the same experience is reassuring and can help you get back on track faster than waiting for your professor!
Resourcefulness - don't be afraid to click on links and explore and ask questions
Time management - you are accountable for completing the class assignments within your individual schedule. Identify when you will complete your work and schedule that time on your calendar just like any other commitment you have.
Make a Plan! Begin each week by creating a schedule that includes what you need to read and "do" and what's "due".
Strong writing skills help you express yourself in the discussion area. Get the free version of Grammarly to help you edit and revise your message!

Attitude

You will find that having the following attitude will significantly contribute to your success in online classes:

Remember why you are in college and how great you will feel on graduation day!
A positive attitude and a sense of humor with technology
An open mind towards online education
A Willingness to share your experiences with others
A Willingness to build a success network so you can help others when you can, and ask for help when you need it.

Discussion Forum 'Netiquette'

Create a warm and courageous online class community where all voices belong, are heard, respected, and respectful. For some tips for 'Do's and Don'ts' review the 15 Rules for Online Discussion Boards

Canvas Overview Video

Canvas Overview Video

At CSUCI all courses use the Learning Management System, Canvas. The 7 Minute video provides an overview, but specific information regarding each item below will be in the dropdown on this page.

Navigating and Customizing your Canvas Dashboard
Navigating the Global Navigation Menu (for CSUCI this is the 'red' menu to the left)
You Canvas Calendar
Your Canvas Conversations (inbox for communicating with instructors and classmates)
How to determine if you've been assigned to a group in any of your courses
Managing tasks and assignments from the course homepage

Please watch!

Canvas Overview

Making the Most of Canvas (How to Quick Guide)

Making the Most of Canvas

The features below are typically found in courses at CSUCI. However, specific course details are always up to the instructor. The features included in each of your courses are likely to vary depending on instructor preference. Please take some time to read the linked content or watch the video about each feature. To see all support guides and videos, use the links below:

Common Features

Announcements: Announcements are made for your instructor to keep in contact with the whole class if there are any important changes or notifications that need to be addressed. The type and frequency of announcements will depend on each instructor.

Syllabus: The Syllabus in Canvas is just like any ordinary one with an extra feature. In Canvas your Syllabus also has your Course Schedule. With this you'll be able to see what is expected of you in your class, as well as keep up when your assignments are due. This feature also coincides with your Calendar in the Global Navigation menu under the CI logo.

Calendar: Assignments from your courses will automatically appear on your Canvas Calendar. The Calendar is a great way to view everything you have to do for all your courses in one place. You can view calendar events by day, week, month, or agenda list. If you instructor provides Office Hours using Zoom or schedules class meetings using Zoom, you can access these meetings from your Calendar.

Discussions: Discussions are a way to communicate between your classmates and even your professor. Some teachers use Discussions in grading. You can create Discussions in your student groups as well.

Discussions Overview Video

Quizzes: Quizzes are where your teacher will test what you've learned, or ask you for class input in the form of a survey. There are many different types of quizzes.

Quizzes Overview Video

Some Instructors may use the newer version of Quizzes.

New Quizzes Overview Video

Assignments: Assignments will be assigned to you depending on your class and instructor. All the information you need for your assignment will be on an Assignment page including directions about the format in which it should be submitted (i.e. URL link, Word Document, PDF, text entry, etc.)

Grades: The Grades page in a course displays all current grades for all course assignments. You can also view scoring details, comments, and rubrics.

Grades Overview Video

Managing Notifications

Managing Notifications

Notifications are alerts sent to your Email and any other registered devices, such as your Smart Phone. Notifications include alerts about messages in you Inbox, Announcements, Assignments, etc. You can control the type and frequency of Notifications you receive. You can always adjust your settings to best meet your communication needs for each course.

Important!!! Notification settings for your Inbox are located in the category 'Conversations' in your Notifications Set Up. More detailed information regarding Conversations is in the page about Student Support: Setting Up your Account Profile.

Watch the 3-minute Video or Read the Canvas Guide: How do I set up my Canvas Notifications as a Student?

Notifications Video

Go Mobile and Learn Anywhere

Go Mobile and Learn Anywhere

You can also manage your courses using the Canvas Mobile App. Read the guide below for specifics on how to set up and manage the Mobile Ap for both iOS and Android Devices. This course can be completed from your Mobile Device, but if taking a fully online or blended course, there will likely be assignments where working from a computer may be preferable. You can checkout a laptop from Broome Library if you do not have consistent access to a computer.

Read

Watch

Canvas Student Mobile App Video

Setting Up your Account Profile

Setting Up your Account Profile

Your Account Profile will be the same for all of your Canvas Courses. The information you share will be viewable by all Canvas users, including your Instructors and peers. This is the beginning of your professional networking. Select Images and share content that reflects your academic and professional presence.

From your CILearn Account you can . . .

Add a profile image
Indicate Pronouns
Edit Display Name
Include a brief biography
Share links to your social networks such as Twitter
Add additional email other than your Dolphin Email
Link your Smart Phone or other Devices
Register your Dolphin Google Drive
Manage your notifications for course features (i.e Announcements, Inbox Messages, Grades, Discussion Boards, and Assignments).

Set up your Profile and CILearn Account

Watch this 2-minute Profile set-up video

Linking Your Dolphin Pod Google Apps

Dolphin Email

Important! Your Dolphin Email (@myci.csuci.edu) is already linked to your Canvas Account. HOWEVER, you must open your Dolphin Email and search for a Confirmation Email from Canvas.

Screenshot within DolphinEmail inbox of email from 'CI Learn- Canvas' with 'Confirm Email: Canvas' in the subject line.

If you do not see the Confirmation Email, you can return to your Settings in Canvas, and have the Email Resent.

Dolphin Pod Google Drive

Register your Preferred Google Drive. You need to register the Google Drive you will use to complete coursework. All CSUCI Students have a Google Drive located in CIDocs called 'Dolphin Pod Drive'.
To access your Dolphin Pod Drive click on 'CIDocs' from your MyCI Dashboard. Your email for this drive will appear as: first.last###@myci.csuci.edu
You may choose to use a Google Drive from another work or personal Google account. Please keep in mind that whichever Drive you choose, needs to be the only Google Drive you use when working in Google Applications in CILearn. For support, view the image in Step 3 above OR read the guide below.

- How do I Register my Google Drive?

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

Support for technical issues or questions about features in CILearn is accessible virtually 24/7. The resources provided on this page focus on specific resources for technical and academic support. While the Canvas Guides, located via the 'Help' link in the red global navigation Menu, connects you to hundreds of step-by-step written and video tutorials, you can also search Google and Youtube for helpful tutorials related to Canvas. Typically, students can resolve most issues by using the resources described in detail below.

Supported Browsers

The browser is the program you use to access the internet (i.e. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.) You can view an updated list of supported browsers on Canvas's website. BUT it is recommended that you use Google Chrome. CILearn does NOT work well with Safari!

The Help Menu

Technological & Academic Support

The "Help" icon in the red, global course navigation menu links you do additional resources listed below.

Direct link to the instructor for any course you are taking
The Canvas Guides (a repository of step by step 'how to' guides and tutorial videos specific to Canvas)
Tutoring support for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Technical Assistance: CSUCI Solution Center

For technical assistance with your computer or CSUCI access, contact the ITS Solution Center for in person, online, or phone support.

Tips for a Helpful Help Ticket

When you submit a ticket, to speed up the process, it is important to include the following information:

The Course Name and Number where you are having technical issues
The Professor's name
A screenshot of what you are seeing (i.e. error message, etc.)
Detailed description that includes:
- Type of device (Mac, PC, iPad, Phone)
- If phone, using the app or browser?
- Browser used? (i.e. Safari, Chrome, FireFox, etc.)
- Brief description of the issue
- Briefly describe what you’ve already tried
Example: The course is EDUC 515. 01. The Professor is Dr. Helpful. I'm using a Dell computer and my browser is Chrome. I am not able to open VoiceThread for the assignment [name of assignment]. I am getting a message to sign-in, but when I click on it, nothing happens. I'm attaching a screenshot of what I see when I try. I've tried logging out of Canvas and shutting down my computer and restarting. I also tried logging in using Safari.