Student FAQs

Access

Account Settings

Courses

Discussions

Web Browsers

What are the browser and computer requirements for Canvas?

You can access Canvas from a web browser or through the Canvas Student App (Android / iOS) for smartphones and tablets.

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Because it’s built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers. Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades.

For more information, check out Canvas’ guide on browser and computer requirements.

I am unable to access Canvas, what should I do?

If you are unable to login to Canvas using your NetID and password, or you need help with Duo Two-Factor Authentication please contact the Georgetown University Service Center:

If you are a new student, on a leave of absence, or taking a semester off and are now returning to Georgetown, your access to Canvas becomes available shortly before the official start date of the semester for which you are registered. Below you will see an approximate date of when you can expect to have access to Canvas:

  • August 20: Fall semester
  • May 20: Summer semester
  • January 5: Spring semester

I am missing a course in Canvas, what should I do?

Canvas relies on official course listing and enrollment data from the Office of the University Registrar (OUR). Courses and enrollments must appear in GU Experience before they automatically appear in Canvas.

If you see your enrollment listed in GU Experience, but do not see it in Canvas, please note:

  • Changes and updates in GU Experience are not immediately reflected in Canvas and will be present in Canvas within 4-6 hours (but no later than the next business day).
  • Only Courses that have been published by the instructor will appear on your Canvas Dashboard. You can try searching your All Courses list in Canvas, which will show both published and unpublished courses.

I am unable to access a course in Canvas, what should I do?

Courses in Canvas must first be published by your instructor before you can access them. If a course is listed in your All Courses list, but not accessible to you it’s likely not published. Once your instructor has published the course you will be able to access it.

However, some courses may never be published by the instructor. If your course remains unpublished in Canvas after the start of the semester, please contact your instructor directly and ask if Canvas will be used. You can look for your instructor’s contact information in the Georgetown University online directory.

In some cases, once the semester has ended, the instructor may prevent students from accessing past courses and its content.

When do my Canvas courses for a new semester appear?

Courses in Canvas must first be published by your instructor before you can access them. If next semester’s courses do not appear on your Canvas Dashboard please check your All Courses list in Canvas. There you will be able to see what courses have been published by the instructor (or not).

When students begin to register for courses using GU Experience their enrollments are typically reflected in Canvas within 4-6 hours (but no later than the next business day).

Students who are scheduled to return from a leave of absence will not have access to Canvas until shortly before the new semester officially begins. Learn more about students on a leave of absence and access to Canvas.

How do I manage courses on the Dashboard?

The Canvas Dashboard displays your favorite active courses. On the Dashboard, when no courses are favorited, the courses list automatically displays up to 20 courses alphabetically in the drop-down menu.

You can favorite any published course and have your Dashboard display your favorite (or active) courses.

How do I add pronouns to my Canvas account?

For information or feedback about the available pronoun options in Canvas, please contact: oads-team@georgetown.edu

When you are making decisions about adding or updating your pronouns and/or name in Canvas, you might want to consider the following factors:

  • Adding/updating your pronouns or editing your name in Canvas will not affect other university systems. You will have to go to other platforms such as Zoom or GU Experience and set your pronouns in those systems too.
  • Adding/updating your pronouns or editing your name will be reflected in all of your Canvas courses, past and present. Canvas does not currently offer the ability to make account changes isolated to specific courses.
  • Most integrated tools in Canvas (also called LTI, external, or third-party tools and apps) do not currently support displaying Canvas pronouns properly or at all.
  • To display your pronouns in Canvas you will need to edit your Canvas account settings. There you can select your pronouns from a drop-down menu. Pronouns selected from the drop-down menu will automatically display after your name in Canvas and display in multiple areas including: account profile page, Canvas inbox, course discussions, course people and group page(s), and course activity comment fields.
  • If your pronouns are not represented in the drop-down menu, you can opt to edit your “Display Name” in Canvas and add your pronouns after your name. Warning: Adding your pronouns in the “Full Name” field in your Canvas account can disrupt Canvas’s connection with other university systems.

Add or update your pronouns from the drop-down menu:

  1. Login to Canvas
  2. Click Account (above the dashboard button)
  3. Click Settings
  4. Click Edit Settings (right side of the page)
  5. Select the pronoun from the drop-down menu
  6. Click Update Settings (bottom of page)

Your selected pronouns will now appear in your account and in your courses.

(Optional) Edit your “Display Name” and add your pronouns after your name:

Warning: Adding your pronouns to your “Full Name” in Canvas will disrupt the alphabetical order of the Canvas Gradebook, Canvas Speedgrader and alter your account data in third-party tools like Panopto. Therefore, we recommend only adding pronouns to your “Display Name” in Canvas.

If your pronouns are not represented in the drop-down menu we recommend you add your pronouns only to your “Display Name” in Canvas. Pronouns added to your “Display Name” will appear on your Canvas account profile page, Canvas inbox, course discussions, course people and group page(s), and course activity comment fields.

  1. Login to Canvas
  2. Click Account (above the dashboard button)
  3. Click Settings
  4. Click Edit Settings (right side of the page)
  5. In the “Display Name” field add your pronouns after your name
  6. Click Update Settings (bottom of page)

How do I upload and embed an image in a discussion reply?

In the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) you can embed an image file from your computer or device directly into discussion replies by clicking the “Image icon” or the “Insert–> image” buttons on the menubar. Select the ‘Upload Image’ option. Follow the steps to upload or link the file, add your written reply (if necessary), and then post your reply for your peers and instructor to see.

Images uploaded and embedded in discussion replies will use your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb). If you receive the error “file size exceed quota” you have run out of Canvas user file storage. Please consider these options:

  1. Download and delete items in your Canvas user file storage from past semesters that you no longer need in Canvas. If you need help managing your Canvas user files please contact Canvas Support.
  2. Upload the image to your Georgetown Google Drive account, and then follow the guide to embed the file(s) using the Google Drive App in the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). Embedding files from your Google Drive account following the guide above will automatically handle all file permissions. You won’t need to change the share settings on the file within Drive in order for your peers and instructor to view the embedded file within the discussion reply.

How do I upload and embed a media file in a discussion reply?

In the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) you can embed a media file from your computer or device directly into discussion replies by clicking the “Media icon” or the “Insert–> Media” buttons on the menubar. Select the “Upload/Record Media” option. Follow the steps to upload the file, add your written reply (if necessary), and then post your reply for your peers and instructor to see.

Media files uploaded and embedded in discussion replies will use your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb). If you receive the error “file size exceed quota” you have run out of Canvas user file storage. Please consider these options:

  1. Download and delete items in your Canvas user file storage from past semesters that you no longer need in Canvas. If you need help managing your Canvas user files please contact Canvas Support.
  2. Upload the media file to your Georgetown Google Drive account, and then follow the guide to embed the file(s) using the Google Drive App in the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). Embedding files from your Google Drive account following the guide above will automatically handle all file permissions. You won’t need to change the share settings on the file within Drive in order for your peers and instructor to view the embedded file within the discussion reply.

How do I record media and embed it in a discussion reply?

In the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) you can record your video (camera) and audio (microphone) and embed it directly into discussion replies. You can do this by clicking the “Media icon” button or using the “Insert–> Media” option both located on the RCE menubar. You can record media for any length of time, but shorter media recordings are recommended.

Canvas has provided a step-by-step guide on how to use the Media Recording Tool to record and embed it in a discussion for your peers and instructor to see.

Note:

  • Using the RCE to create longer media recordings will require more time to render and may be interrupted without a stable internet connection.
  • If your media is longer than 15 minutes, you may want to consider recording using other media capture tools and upload that media following our guide above: How do I embed a media file in a discussion reply?
  • The Safari browser does not support recording media. Please use Chrome or Firefox to record media from the Rich Content Editor.
  • Currently, the Media Recording Tool in Canvas does not support desktop capture (only microphone and camera), However, it is possible to use other media capture tools that can capture more or different media streams and upload that media following our guide above: How do I embed a media file in a discussion reply?
  • Media recorded in the Rich Content Editor is saved in the Uploaded Media folder in your Canvas User Files or Canvas Group Files (if the recording was made within a course Group). If media recorded is not for an assignment submission, then the media file is stored in your User Files and will count toward your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb) . If you are unable to record and embed the media it is likely because of you have run out of Canvas user file storage. Download and delete items in your Canvas user file storage from past semesters that you no longer need in Canvas. If you need help managing your Canvas user files please contact Canvas Support.

How do I upload and embed a document in a discussion reply?

In the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) you can upload and embed documents a number of different ways:

Once the file has been uploaded and embedded, add your written reply (if necessary), and then post your reply for your peers and instructor to see.

Uploaded and embedded documents in discussion replies will use your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb). If you receive the error “file size exceed quota” you have run out of Canvas user file storage. Please consider these options:

  1. Download and delete items in your Canvas user file storage from past semesters that you no longer need in Canvas. If you need help managing your Canvas user files please contact Canvas Support.
  2. Upload the file to your Georgetown Google Drive account, and then follow the guide to embed the file(s) using the Google Drive App in the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). Embedding files from your Google Drive account following the guide above will automatically handle all file permissions. You won’t need to change the share settings on the file within Drive in order for your peers and instructor to view the embedded file within the discussion reply.

How do I attach a file to a discussion reply?

If your instructor allows file attachments, you can attach a file to a discussion reply using the attachment icon at the bottom left of the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). Attachments can be added to both graded and non-graded discussions. Any attachments added as part of discussions are copied to your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb). Attachments for graded discussions are not counted against your user quota and cannot be deleted.

Note: 

  • If the attachment icon does not display at the bottom left of the Rich Content Editor (RCE), then this option is not available in your course.
  • If your attachment causes you to exceed your user file quota, the file may fail to attach to an ungraded discussion.

Attached files to non-graded discussion replies will use your Canvas User File storage (limited to 50mb). If you receive the error “file size exceed quota” you have run out of Canvas user file storage. Please consider these options:

  1. Download and delete items in your Canvas user file storage from past semesters that you no longer need in Canvas. If you need help managing your Canvas user files please contact Canvas Support.
  2. Upload the file to your Georgetown Google Drive account, and then follow the guide to embed the file(s) using the Google Drive App in the Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). Embedding files from your Google Drive account following the guide above will automatically handle all file permissions. You won’t need to change the share settings on the file within Drive in order for your peers and instructor to view the embedded file within the discussion reply.

How do I fix errors caused by third-party cookie settings?

In most cases, switching to a different web browser will solve the problem.

You may get third-party cookie error messages when trying to access some tools and pages in Canvas. Cookies allow your user authorization and account details (e.g. name, NetID and course role) to pass from Canvas to the third-party tool. If you receive error messages when accessing third-party tools in Canvas you will need to make a change to your web browser’s settings.

Follow the guides below if you would like to change your web browser’s settings to allow cookies in Canvas. We do NOT recommend setting your browser to accept all third-party cookies. However, adding cookie exceptions in your browser will allow the specific third-party tool to work in Canvas.

Do students have access to Canvas when on a leave of absence?

Typically, students on a leave of absence (PLOA or MLOA) do not have access to Canvas.

Students who are returning from a leave of absence can expect to have their access to Canvas restored on or close to the following dates (depending on the semester you are scheduled to return):

  • August 20: Fall semester
  • May 20: Summer semester
  • January 5: Spring semester

There will be some variation on the exact dates posted above. These dates are controlled by the Office of the University Registrar.

Do consortium students get access to Canvas?

Yes, consortium students at Georgetown will have access to Canvas in order to fully participate in coursework. To establish your access to Canvas, you will need to do the following:

Do I have access to Canvas after graduating?

Most Georgetown alumni will maintain their access to Canvas for twenty-one (21) years after graduation. As alumni you will still use your NetID and NetID Password to access Canvas.

Access to specific courses and content in Canvas might be modified, blocked, or completely removed by the instructor. As a result, prior to the end of each semester we recommend students consider downloading any course materials that they may need in the future.

Non-Degree seeking students and Non-Credit Certificate Programs

Students enrolled in non-credit or non-degree programs have ninety (90) days after the program has concluded to download any course materials before access to Canvas and other online University tools and services becomes disabled.

The School of Continuing Studies recommends students in Non-Credit Certificate programs consult the Non-Credit Student Handbook for details on Canvas access after completing their program.

Don’t see what you are looking for?

Check out the Get Help page to connect with Canvas support.