If you take the time to read and complete this chapter during the first two weeks of classes, you will be ahead of the game!  And you can always revisit this later in the semester as different needs arise.

As you begin your academic career, you may run into challenges. This chapter will help you navigate some of those challenges and make your life easier as a student at UVU. Perhaps you need help meeting with an advisor. Or perhaps you need help downloading software your professors will use in your classes, setting up Canvas to work for you, and figuring how to do things in Canvas.

Getting Started Day One

• The Trail Guide : This will help you get acquainted with your academic advisor.
• Download MS Teams: 
  • You will need Microsoft Teams (Teams) at some point in most of your classes.
  • Teams allows video meetings, chats and sharing documents with multiple people.
  • Download Teams to whichever device app you will use for this class.
  • We strongly recommend you download the app on two devices, such as BOTH laptop and phone, in case one stops working.
  • Once you download Teams, please log into your Teams account to make sure it works.

Logging In to Canvas

The login URL for this course is uvu.instructure.com. Be sure to bookmark this link for quick reference later. If you use an iPad or other tablet or phone with a mobile app, be sure to login in at uvu.instructure.com.

Student Resources for Canvas

• Canvas Tour for Students  is an excellent resource for students that are new to Canvas! If you are new, it walks you through the basic features and helps you set up your own Canvas profile.
• Ready, Set, Learn Online is a great resource for online learning. The information in here is VERY useful. Make sure you download your certificate—you may be asked to share it in other classes.
• Search Canvas Guides to find helpful information! Canvas Guides provide you with all the information you need to use Canvas.
• View “Canvas Overview (Students)”  This gives you a visual tour through Canvas and has captions available if needed or preferred.
• Communicate With Your Instructor  Canvas has a messaging system you can use to communicate with your instructor. Be sure to check and follow your instructor’s communication preferences.
• Collapse and Expand Modules Learn how to manage the modules in your course; simplify your view of modules.
• Manage Your Personal Files Canvas users get a small amount of storage to store files such as assignment drafts and readings.
• Accessing Instructor Feedback and Comments Learn how to view comments and feedback made in Canvas by your instructor.

What is a Rubric

• A rubric is an assessment tool that clearly indicates achievement criteria across all the components of any kind of student work, from written to oral to visual.
• Rubrics can be used for grading marking assignments, class participation, or overall grades.
• Here is an EXAMPLE (Note: This rubric is only an example. Check the rubrics in your assignments so that you know on what you will be evaluated and graded.)

Accessibility

Canvas provides students with a user experience that is easy, simple, and intuitive. Special attention has been paid to making Canvas screen-readable. The National Federation of the Blind granted Instructure Canvas the Gold Level Web Certification  in 2010.  Find more information by visiting the Canvas Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT).

Supported Browsers

Supported Browsers Find out what browsers work best for this course (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer). If some media content is not displaying within a Canvas page (such as the widgets on the course homepage), you might be experiencing a problem with your browser’s security settings not allowing “unsecured” content to display.

Mobile Apps

The Canvas UI was optimized for desktop displays but can be used on mobile browsers and we do provide free apps for some mobile devices. Try the iOS and Android free Mobile Apps!

• Canvas by Instructure Android Guide
• Canvas by Instructure iOS Guide