Working in Your Canvas Courses

The information provided below will help you understand why it is important to access and start working in your Canvas courses as soon as classes start.

How often should I log into my Canvas courses?

If you don't log into Canvas regularly you could miss out on a lot of things! It is important for students to regularly read/respond to messages, check for new announcements, and participate in class discussions. Many students (especially those enrolled in online or hybrid courses) will also need to log into Canvas to access their assignments and turn them in.

It is recommended that you should log in and check your Canvas courses:

  • At least 4-5 times a week for an online course
  • At least 2-3 times a week for a hybrid course
  • At least once a week for a traditional course

The above number of log-ins are an estimation and depending on the course you may find it necessary to log in more or less frequently.

Should I log into Canvas the first week of class?

It is very important that you log into your Canvas courses the first day of class for online and hybrid courses. Online students are expected to complete a check-in activity within the first 48 hours or they can be dropped from the class. Hybrid students may be expected to complete work before the first face-to-face meeting. 

What can happen if I don't participate?

Participating in class is an important part of the learning process. In an online class it is the same as in a traditional classroom course; you need to attend and participate in the course. Specifically for an online course though, if you do not attend and participate, there is a chance you could be dropped from the course.