Canvas Tutorials

Key Tutorials and the Instructor Guide

You can access all Canvas Tutorials on the Canvas Instructor Guide Website. We've linked key tutorials below. Please note that each link will also show you related tutorials related to that feature.

We also provide some training on Canvas tools and settings, such as gradebook, rubrics, that may help support your teaching in any modality. Visit the Faculty Development -> Workshops/Trainings for our calendar of events.

Media Recording Tool: Video/Audio Captions and Transcripts

The media recording tool in the Canvas Rich Content Editor was long discouraged for one key reason: it did not provide caption or transcription options, meaning video content was not accessible to all LIM College learners. (Previously, this feature was only available through a paid service called Canvas Studio.)

In 2024, the federal government updated the Americans with Disabilities Act to include a new requirement — all web and mobile content must be accessible by April 24, 2026. On April 18, 2026, Canvas made video captions and transcripts available to all users.

What to Know Before Getting Started

Enabling captions and transcripts is straightforward, but be aware that the rendering process is slow. For example, for a video recorded today, captions and transcript may not render until tomorrow.

How to Enable Captions
  1. Record your video. (How to link posted above in Key Tutorials)
  2. Hover over the video and click Video Options.
  3. Provide a clear title for your video.
  4. Keep Default Display Options.
  5. Switch Player Layout to Extra Large.
  6. Keep the rolling transcript.
  7. Under Caption Manager, click Request.

Note: Captions can take up to 24 hours to generate — plan accordingly.

Screenshot: Video Options on right-hand side of rendered canvas video
How to View and Edit Captions/Transcript
  • Once captions have rendered, click CC to view captions while the video plays. In Extra Large view, the transcript will scroll along the right-hand side.
  • To edit captions or the transcript, enter Edit mode and click the three dots in the top right corner of the Transcript panel. (See image below)
Screnshot: Page in Edit Mode that shows how to edit captions. Click on three dots to the right of "Transcript"

Discussion Checkpoints (adding 2 deadlines)

What is Discussion Checkpoints? Discussion Checkpoints allows you to add add due dates for both the student's initial reply to your prompt as well as their reply to their peers. The feature also allows you to add points for both initial reply and peer replies.

Why is this helpful? Using the Checkpoint feature should help keep students on track, improve the quality of peer interactions and distribute interactions more evenly during the week. This should help you with grading as well. Note: Students will see both deadlines in the discussion itself and in their Grades and Assignment views.

Setting Up Discussion Checkpoints Video Tutorial. (Written Instructions Below)

  • In the Settings, scroll down and check Graded.
  • Then check Assign graded checkpoints.
  • In Checkpoint Settings, assign possible points to "Reply to Topic" and "Additional Replies."
  • Update, if necessary, "Additional Replies Required" (the default is one).
  • In Assignment Settings, assign due dates to "Reply to Topic" and "Required Replies."
  • Save.

Student Annotations

Allowing students to annotate their class readings is a great way to ensure they actively process the text and demonstrate what they find important or what questions they have. You can enable this feature in the Assignment Settings. Select "Online" for the Submission option and then check the Student Annotation box. Once this box is checked, it will ask you to upload your file. Read: How do I create an online assignment? on the Canvas Instructor Guide website for full details. (Tip: Scroll about halfway down to learn about online submission types. )

Canvas also has a tutorial for your student: How do I annotate a file as an assignment submission in Canvas?

Changing Your Course Homepage

All LIM courses in Canvas have a similar homepage design which reduces student cognitive load. While the Homepage (Front Page) is a helpful initial resource, faculty often find that students jump straight to the Assignments page, bypassing the necessary lecture notes, readings, media, and context located in the Modules.

To ensure students get the full context before starting their assignments, we strongly recommend you change the course Home Page to the Modules view beginning in Week 3. This change will guide students directly into the weekly workflow, making it difficult to miss essential preparatory materials.

How do you change the Front Page in Canvas? On the right side of your Canvas course homepage, you'll have a menu that includes "Choose Front Page."  In the pop-up, select the option that makes most sense. We recommend Course Modules. If you want to designate a different front page, one that you have designed, the Canvas Instructor Guide has detailed instructions.