How do I navigate a Canvas course as an observer?

As an observer, you are able to view your student's courses. Depending on your student's instructor's course organization, you may not have access to certain parts of the course.

Learn more about Observer Visibility and Participation.

00:07: How do I navigate a canvas course as an observer? 00:10: In global navigation, click the courses link, then click the name 00:14: of the course. 00:16: Observers can view Global Navigation course, navigation. 00:20: Breadcrumb navigation. Sidebar and help link. 00:25: The global navigation helps you get to where you want to go across all of your canvas 00:29: courses. 00:31: The course navigation helps you get to where you want to go within your students courses. 00:36: The breadcrumb navigation, shows you where you have navigated to inside of a course and 00:40: gives you a quick and easy way to move backward, 00:44: The sidebar will be mostly empty for observers. 00:46: Depending on the page, you are visiting your students upcoming assignments 00:51: and events may be displayed. 00:54: The help link is very important to ask for assistance from your student's 00:58: teacher or the canvas support team. Click the help link. 01:03: This guide covered how to navigate a canvas course as an observer.

Open Course

Open Course

In Global Navigation, click the Courses link [1], then click the name of the course [2].

View Canvas Course Interface

View Canvas Interface

Observers can view Global Navigation, Course Navigation, Breadcrumb Navigation, Sidebar, and Help link.

  • The Global Navigation helps you get to where you want to go across all of your Canvas courses [1].
  • The Course Navigation helps you get to where you want to go within your student's course(s) [2].
  • The Breadcrumb Navigation shows you where you have navigated inside of a course and gives you a quick and easy way to move backward [3].
  • The Sidebar will be mostly empty for Observers. Depending on the page you are visiting, your student's upcoming assignments and events may be displayed [4].
  • The Help link is very important. To ask for assistance from your student's instructor or the Canvas Support Team, click the Help link [5].

Note: Depending on your student's instructor, you may not have access to certain parts of the course.