Canvas LMS is known for its robust support resources that cater to both instructors and students. Whether you’re facing technical difficulties, seeking guidance on a specific tool, or wanting to learn more about best practices, Canvas offers a variety of support options.

Table of content

• Part 1: How you can access and use Canvas LMS support resources
• Part 2: Create an online course with a Canvas LMS alternative

How you can access and use Canvas LMS support resources

1. Canvas Help Menu:

This is the most direct way to access support while you’re within the Canvas environment.

• Log into your Canvas account.
• Locate the Question Mark icon or “Help” link, usually found on the left-hand global navigation menu.
• Upon clicking, you’ll see a dropdown or pop-up menu with several options:

✔ Search the Canvas Guides: This leads you to Canvas’s comprehensive guides that cover virtually every feature.
✔ Report a Problem: Use this if you encounter a technical glitch.
✔ Ask the Community: This option will redirect you to the Canvas Community where you can ask questions and discuss with other Canvas users.
✔ Submit a Feature Idea: If you have suggestions for improvements or new features, you can submit them here.
✔ Canvas Support Hotline: Some institutions provide a hotline for immediate help.
✔ Chat with Canvas Support: A real-time chat feature for direct assistance.

2. Canvas Guides:

The Canvas Guides are a set of detailed, user-friendly documentation that provides step-by-step instructions for nearly all Canvas features.

• You can access them directly by visiting: https://community.canvaslms.com/community/answers/guides/
• The guides are segmented into different user roles: Instructor, Student, Admin, and more.
• Use the search bar to find specific topics or browse through the table of contents.

3. Canvas Community:

The Canvas Community is a hub where educators, students, and Canvas experts interact.

• Direct link: https://community.canvaslms.com/
• Here, you can:
✔ Participate in discussions.
✔ Ask questions.
✔ Share resources or strategies.
✔ Join interest groups, like “K-12” or “Higher Education.”

4. Canvas Video Tutorials:

Canvas provides video tutorials that offer visual demonstrations of various tools and functionalities.

• Often integrated within the Canvas Guides.
• Some institutions also have their own set of Canvas tutorial videos.

5. Local Institutional Support:

Many institutions that adopt Canvas LMS also offer their own support mechanisms:

• Canvas Liaisons or Ambassadors: Some institutions have designated faculty or staff members who are well-versed in Canvas to assist their peers.
• Institutional Workshops: Check if your institution offers workshops or training sessions on Canvas.
• Local IT Support: For technical issues, especially those tied to institutional integrations (like library resources or academic databases), your local IT department might be the best first stop.

Tips for Effective Use of Support Resources:

• Be Specific: Whether you’re searching the guides or asking in the community, being specific about your issue or query can lead to faster and more relevant answers.
• Stay Updated: Canvas frequently updates its platform. Regularly checking the Canvas Community or official announcements can keep you informed about changes.
• Bookmark Important Resources: If you find certain guides or community threads particularly useful, bookmark them for quick access in the future.

By utilizing these support resources, you can navigate Canvas more efficiently, troubleshoot issues, and get the most out of this powerful learning management system.

Create an online course with a Canvas LMS alternative

OnlineExamMaker is a powerful Canvas LMS alternative platform for teachers & trainers. The software is a user-friendly and feature-rich learning management system (LMS) that simplifies the process of creating, delivering, and managing online training and assessments. It provides a comprehensive platform for organizations, educational institutions, and businesses to streamline their learning and evaluation processes.

Key Features:

Intuitive Course Creation: Easily create engaging courses with multimedia elements using the user-friendly course builder.
Versatile Assessments: Create custom quizzes, exams, and surveys with different question types to evaluate learner knowledge effectively.
Automated Grading: Save time and effort with automated grading and generate detailed reports on learner performance.

How to make an online course with OnlineExamMaker LMS

Step 1: Go to your OnlineExamMaker panel.

Step 2: Set up a New Course

Fill out the necessary course details like Course Name, Course cover, Description, etc.

Step 3: Add an Assessment
Insert an assessment into the course to assess the knowledge of learners during training.

Step 4: Publish the Course

Publish the course, then continue to interact with your students, provide feedback, and make necessary updates based on the learning experience.