Observer/Parent Getting Started Resources

Below are some general questions and answers about Canvas, the Observer role, and links to resources to help you be comfortable with Canvas. Visit the Observer Guides to learn more.

Introduction

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a Learning Management System. To learn more about Canvas terminology and definitions, visit How does Canvas define the terms used to describe its features and functions? 

Because Canvas is a web-based system, it doesn’t need to be installed on your computer. However, you’ll want to make sure that your computer and web browser meet the basic requirements to run Canvas.

Canvas also has a free mobile app available for iOS and Android that is specifically tailored to observers. You can learn more about how the mobile app features compare to Canvas on the web.

What is the Observer/Parent role?

In Canvas, the Observer role can be used to enroll parents, mentors, and guests who would like to participate in a Canvas course but do not need to earn course credit. Observers have limited permissions that allow them to see what is going on in a course without interrupting the flow of daily course communication. Like students, observers cannot view a course until it is published and the course has started.

Canvas for Elementary

Canvas for Elementary is a Canvas setting that displays a simplified interface and experience designed for younger learners. 

Flowchart

For a visual representation of how to get started with Canvas as an observer, view the Getting Started with Canvas as an Observer Flowchart.

Videos

You can watch videos designed for observers. 

Canvas Guides

The Canvas Observer Guide has many articles that each answer a question that relates to using the Canvas interface as an observer. Each article also includes Next and Previous links so you can easily navigate to related content.

Logging in to Canvas

You can access Canvas through a URL for your institution. Learn more in the article below.

Logging in to the Canvas Parent App

After you download the Canvas Parent mobile app to your Android or iOS device, you can log in to the app using a QR code or a URL. If you are already logged in to Canvas on the Web, using the QR code instantly logs you in to the app.

You can also log in without using a QR code.

Pairing Code Overview

Pairing codes are six-digit codes that are used to link students to observers in Canvas. In the guides below, students can learn how to generate and send pairing codes to their parents/observers.

Observer Pairing Overview

Once you have pairing code(s) for your student(s), you can link your account to theirs. Guides below include steps for linking accounts. Whether you are linking your Observer account to multiple students at once or you’re adding a new student to your existing account, you follow the same process.

Canvas Overview

Once your account is set up, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the Canvas user interface. The video below is an overview of Canvas navigation and account settings for Observers.

00:07: In this video, you will learn about the canvas dashboard and Global navigation 00:11: links. And about, basic course, navigation to view assignment details and 00:15: grades. 00:17: When you log into canvas, the first thing you see is the dashboard which 00:21: provides a high level overview of your students current courses. 00:26: To switch to a different student. You are observing. 00:28: Click the student drop down menu and select the student's name. 00:33: Card view displays a course card, for each of your favorite courses. 00:38: The dashboard can be displayed in three different viewing options. 00:42: Each card can include clickable icons for assignments and announcements discussions 00:47: and files. 00:50: To help organize your dashboard you can manage the settings for course cards by 00:54: clicking the options icon. 00:57: In the colors tab, you can enter a nickname for your course and change the color 01:01: of the course card by selecting from the options or by entering a hex code. 01:06: Click the apply button to save your changes. 01:09: In the move tab, you can reorder your course cards on the dashboard. 01:14: You can also manage the color overlay for all course cards with images. 01:19: Click the dashboard options icon and select the color overlay option. 01:24: The color of the course, card still appears behind the more options icon on the course 01:28: card. And the setting applies to all course cards with images. 01:32: List view displays an agenda view of graded. 01:35: Items from the courses as well as any non-graded items. 01:38: The instructors designate for a course to do list. 01:42: Recent activity, displays, a stream of recent notifications from all your students 01:46: courses including conversations and assignments. 01:51: The sidebar includes a to-do list recent feedback and view grades. 01:56: The to-do list displays links to announcements and other items that require action 02:01: in your courses such as assignments. 02:03: Quizzes discussions and pages. 02:07: Few recent assignment feedback. In recent feedback, click the assignment 02:11: name to view feedback in the submission Details page. 02:16: You can also access the course. Grades page from the course card in recent activity 02:20: views by clicking The View grades button. 02:23: The grades page displays grades for all of the courses. 02:27: Canvas displays a global navigation menu, that gives you direct access to various 02:32: areas of canvas. 02:34: Click the account link to log out of canvas, specify your notification preferences, 02:39: upload and view personal files. 02:41: Modify your user settings, manage e-portfolios obtain, 02:46: a QR code to log into the student app view Global announcements 02:50: and enable a high contrast user interface. 02:55: Click the dashboard, link to return to the canvas dashboard at any time. 03:00: Click the courses linked to quickly access your favorite courses and view a list of all 03:04: your courses. 03:06: Click the calendar link to view your personal calendar, and course, calendars. 03:11: Click the inbox link to view and send messages to your instructors and peers within 03:16: canvas. 03:18: Click the history. Link to view a list. Of course content and content areas. 03:21: You have viewed within the last three weeks. 03:25: Click the help link to access help resources for your Institution. 03:30: Now, let's take a look at the course. Interface click the courses link, and 03:34: then click the name of the course you want to visit. 03:37: The course, opens to the homepage set by the instructor. 03:41: You can use the course, navigation, links, breadcrumb navigation, or 03:45: the sidebar to navigate to different areas of the course. 03:50: This guide covered an overview of canvas for Observers.

Course Basics

The main use of the Observer role is to link a user to a student. You can be linked to a student or multiple students and view the student's data in the course. Parents or guardians are often enrolled as observers and linked to students, especially in K12 environments. You cannot submit work on behalf of the students you observe, but you can see student grades, assignments and events, and course interactions. What is available in your course depends on what has been implemented by your student’s instructor.

View the articles below for some of the basics of Canvas courses.

Learn more about Canvas features in the Canvas Basics Guide.