Teaching and learning at PAU is enhanced through the use of the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), which is used for accessing and managing online course learning materials and communicating about skill development and learning achievement. This page covers everything you need to get started with Canvas, including log-in instructions and general help information, as well as specific guidance for students and instructors.
Click on each of the accordions on this page for details and use the links that follow for access.
To access your Canvas courses, go to OneLogin, sign in using your PAU email credentials, and then click on the Canvas app icon. Alternatively, you can launch Canvas and authenticate using OneLogin by going directly to Canvas via the Instructure website. Both login options are linked below this accordion panel.
Email the PAU Department of Information Technology (IT) at support@paloaltou.edu if you have any difficulties with logging into Canvas or OneLogin.
The very best way to get help with Canvas is simply to click on the Help icon inside Canvas. It’s always on the lower left-hand side, so just scroll down a bit at any time when you’re in Canvas, and you’ll see the question mark inside a circle labeled "Help," as shown in this screenshot:
When you click on the Help icon, you’ll see several links. The links highlighted in this screenshot are discussed below:
You'll see options for students and faculty to contact Canvas for support by phone (if you would like to speak to someone personally) or by chat.
If you select a chat option, you’ll be able to describe a problem or question that you have about Canvas, such as “How do I weight grading groups in the gradebook?” or “How do I create a YouTube link?” or “Something seems to be wrong with my assignment, it’s not visible to my students.” In many cases, they will send you a link to a webpage guide that will show you how to do what you need to do, or they will solve the problem, or they will refer the problem back to PAU if they cannot solve it.
The folks at Canvas are the experts on Canvas and problems-solving with Canvas, and in most cases they will be able to help you or solve your problem quickly, as they are staffed to answer user queries 24 hours a day, seven days a week
You can also use the help menu to search guides that are provided by Canvas or reach out for assistance from the Canvas Community. The Canvas Community is a community of Canvas users along with the experts who work for Canvas. Their resources include guides and videos for learning how to use Canvas, a search box for searching for answers to specific questions, and an option to join the Canvas Community so that you can also contribute ideas and knowledge and answers to the Community. Searching for help in the Canvas Community can often get you a quick answer to a question, as their answers and guides and videos are really excellent. But if you utilize these resources and still need help, you can always go back and click on the Help icon to access the help menu to connect via chat or phone.
If you need further or more extensive help or if you need help or guidance with something that is specific to the way we do things at PAU, then you can email us at canvashelp@paloaltou.edu to receive assistance from the PAU Department of Academic Technology staff. We're always happy to help out!
Canvas has extensive help and orientation materials for students, including training videos and step-by-step instructions, as well as a help feature you can use to search for information on specific topics or issues.
You can access these materials via the Help icon in Canvas or by navigating directly to the Canvas Community website. You'll find the links listed below this accordion panel, followed by quick-links to Canvas Community resources provided specifically for students.
If you cannot find what you need at the Canvas Community site, or if you are experiencing a problem with Canvas, you can always click on the Help icon within Canvas and either report an issue or ask a question of any sort related to Canvas by calling the listed phone number. Canvas support is always available to you, 24/7/365.
If you are having trouble with logging into Canvas or authenticating via OneLogin, please contact the PAU Department of Information Technology (IT) at support@paloaltou.edu.
And if you would like to sit down for an in-person or Zoom training session on how to use Canvas, contact Scott Hines at shines@paloaltou.edu.
The most flexible and easiest way to set up courses and get the most out of Canvas is to take advantage of the excellent instructor resources provided by the Canvas Community, which you can access directly from their website or via the Canvas platform using the links listed below this accordion panel.
Instructor resources are presented on a dashboard, which is also linked below this accordion panel. Additional links to key quick-start resources are provided, including text-based materials — which are augmented with illustrative screenshots — and video guides.
If you have any trouble with logging into Canvas or authenticating via OneLogin, please contact the PAU Department of Information Technology (IT) at support@paloaltou.edu.
If you cannot find what you need at the Canvas Community site, or if you are experiencing a problem with Canvas, you can always click on the Help icon within Canvas and either report an issue or ask a question of any sort related to Canvas by calling the listed phone number. Canvas support is always available to you, 24/7/365.
You may find it beneficial to use the linked videos as your primary means of learning, as they will allow you to go at your own pace, stop to try things in Canvas, then move on when you're ready. The videos will also allow you to learn whenever you like without the need to show up at a set time for a training session. Similarly, you can use the linked text-based resources at will, and you may prefer to use them instead of — or in addition to — the video resources, depending on your needs.
However, if you would like schedule an in-person or Zoom training session — for yourself or for a small group of faculty and/or TAs — on how to use Canvas, contact Scott Hines at shines@paloaltou.edu.