Canvas: Getting Started With Canvas For Students

Environment

Canvas

Issue

Canvas is U-M’s online Learning Management System (LMS). Here’s how to log in, find your courses, and customize your experience.

Resolution

Logging in

  1. Open your browser and go to https://umich.instructure.com/.
  2. Click the Canvas login button in the upper-right corner of window.
  3. Type your U-M uniqname and password and hit return.

Tip:  Bookmark this page so you can get to Canvas quickly. 


Supported Browsers & Mobile Apps

Tip:  Some features work better on a computer.


Find Your Courses

Dashboard

When you login, you'll land on your Dashboard, which shows colored cards for your courses.

  • Click the yellow block M (U-M logo) in the top left corner, to return to your dashboard at anytime.
  • Use the three dots on a card to change color, move or give it a nickname.

All Courses

You can view and customize (pin/favorite) your current courses on the All Courses page, and you may also be able to view past and future enrollments.

  • Go to Courses -> All Courses
  • Click the ★ star to pin/favorite a course to your Dashboard.

Personalize Your Canvas Experience

Profile

  • Go to Account -> Profile -> Edit Profile
  • Add a photo and or a short bio.

 Settings

  • Go to Account -> Settings
  • Update your display name, pronouns, and time zone.
  • Add additional emails and phone numbers for notifications.

Notifications

  • Go to Account -> Notifications
  • Choose how you want updates (email, text or push)
  • Set preferences for Announcements, Due Dates, Grades, and Messages.

Additional Information

For questions about course content, please contact your instructor.

For Canvas or other technology-related issues please contact the ITS Service Center.

Check out the Student Getting Started Resources guide for more information about Canvas tools.