FAQs for Learners

To access your Canvas account: 

Visit montana.instructure.com/login/saml and use your NetID and Password to sign in.   

Locate your course on your dashboard. 

Individuals will sign into Canvas using their NetID and NetID password combination and authenticate with DUO. 

🧑‍💼 To update your profile:

1. Log in to Canvas.

2. Click “Account” in the global navigation menu (usually on the far left).

3. Select “Profile.”

4. Click “Edit Profile” on the right to update your name, bio, and profile picture.

🔔 To update your notification preferences:

1. Click “Account” again in the global menu.

2. Choose “Notifications.”

3. You’ll see a list of activities (like announcements, due dates, grades, etc.).

4. Use the icons to choose how and when you’d like to be notified—by email, push notification, or not at all.

When you log in to Canvas, your current courses should appear on your Dashboard. If you don’t see a course there, click on the "Courses" tab in the left-hand menu, then select "All Courses" at the top. This will show you a full list of your enrollments.

If the course isn’t listed, it’s a good idea to double-check with your instructor to make sure it’s been published and that the course has officially started.

All courses are not visible until an instructor "publishes" the course.  

Learner, instructor, and course information originate through the Registrar and that information is put in Banner. The information then gets passed over to the Canvas system. 

Updates from Banner to Brightspace run multiple times during the day 

1. Monday through Friday at  ~ 7:00 AM; 10:00 AM; 2:00 PM; 5:00 PM; 8:00 PM 

1. Saturday and Sunday at  ~ 12 PM and 8 PM 

Actions related to accounts and courses are handled by the Registrar. 

For a learner who is registered properly, a course can appear up to 5 days before the start date *if* the instructor has published it.  

Not all instructors choose to use Canvas, and, in some cases, an instructor may not publish a course until a later date. 

If a learner does not see an expected course appearing as of the start date and the instructor has indicated that Canvas will be used for the course, contact the instructor. 

1. Log in to Canvas and go to your course.

2. Click on “Assignments” in the course menu (or find the assignment on the Home or Modules page).

3. Select the assignment you want to submit.

4. Click the “Submit Assignment” button (usually in the top right corner).

5. Choose your submission type (file upload, text entry, Google Drive, etc.).

6. Add your file or content, then click “Submit Assignment.”

You’ll see a confirmation message when your submission is successful. You can also go back to the assignment to view or re-submit it, if allowed.

This depends on your instructor’s settings. Some assignments allow multiple submissions, while others only allow one attempt. 

If resubmissions are allowed, you’ll see the “Resubmit Assignment” button instead of “Submit Assignment.

Option 1: From the Grades Page

1. Log in to Canvas and go to your course.

2. Click on “Grades” in the course menu.

3. Find the assignment you want to check.

4. Click the speech bubble icon next to the grade (if there is one) to view comments.

5. You can also click the assignment name to view detailed feedback, rubric scores, or attached files.

Option 2: From the Assignment Itself

1. Go to the “Assignments” tab or the “Modules” where the assignment is listed.

2. Click on the assignment.

3. Scroll to see comments, rubric feedback, or any annotated files your instructor may have uploaded.

To take a quiz, navigate to Quizzes in the course navigation or find the quiz within your course module. Select the quiz and follow the instructions. Be sure to check the time limit and the number of attempts allowed.

To go back to a previous question in a Canvas quiz, look for the question list or navigation panel—usually on the right side (on desktop) or at the bottom (on mobile). You can click on the number of the question you want to return to.

However, keep in mind that some quizzes may be set up by the instructor to not allow backtracking. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to go back once you’ve moved on. If you're unsure, it's best to check the quiz instructions or ask your instructor directly.

Click onGradesin the course navigation to see scores and instructor feedback. Depending on your instructor's settings, you might also see your current grade percentage for the course.

Grades may be hidden until released by the instructor. If you believe there is an issue, reach out to your instructor for clarification. 

Open the Discussion tab, clickon the topic, and post a reply. You can also reply to classmates’ posts. 

Use the Inbox feature in Canvas to sendmessages to your instructor or peers. This can be found on your Global Navigation on the left. 

Instructors may limit submission file types, so make sure your file is in a supported format (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .jpg). If you’re still having trouble, try using a different browser or check your internet connection.

The Canvas Student app allows students to access their courses and groups using a mobile device. Students can submit assignments, participate in discussions, view grades, and access course materials. The app also provides access to course calendars, To Do items, notifications, and Inbox messages. 

Canvas Student requires a Canvas account and is available for both Android and iOS devices. Before downloading the Canvas Student app, you may want to review the Canvas mobile device requirements. 

Review the resource "How do I download the Canvas Student App on my IOS device" to learn more about downloading options.  

Review the resource "How do I download the Canvas Student App on my Android device" to learn more about downloading options. 

Try clearing your browser cache, switching browsers (The recommended browsers for using Canvas areGoogle Chrome and MozillaFirefox), or checking your internet connection. If the issue persists, contact the ECAT team at canvas@montana.edu to start a helpdesk ticket or call 406-994-3255.