Quick Start
Instructor Help
Student Help

Logging In

Log In Directly

Log in to Canvas to view your courses by going to https://canvas.pitt.edu/ (or click the login button ). You will be prompted by Pitt's Duo Authentication to log in with your Pitt ID and password. Your Pitt ID is the same ID you would use to log into my.pitt.edu with.

Log In Through My.Pitt.Edu

You can alternatively always access Canvas through my.pitt.edu.

canvas on My Pitt Website

Non-Pitt User Access

It is Pitt IT policy that only users with a Pitt user account can access courses in Canvas. For more information on this policy, contact the Pitt IT Help Desk.

Your Course Dashboard

The Dashboard is your personal landing page in Canvas. It is made to help you see the most recent activity in your most important courses quickly and easily. Access your Dashboard by clicking on the Dashboard tab (1). Your courses are displayed as "course cards" by default and divided into two groups with your Published Courses (2) at the top and Unpublished Courses (3) at the bottom. "Published" means that anyone who is enrolled in your course as a "Student" will be able to view your course and "Unpublished" means that students will not be able to view your course. Other people in your course enrolled as "Teacher" or "TA" will still be able to view and edit unpublished courses.

screenshot of canvas dashboard with sections 1-3 numbered

Favorite Your Courses

Your Dashboard can only show up to 20 courses at a time, so you might not see all the courses you want right away the first time you log in to Canvas. Favorite your courses so they show up on your Dashboard by going to your Courses tab (1) and clicking on All Courses (2) at the bottom.

screenshot of courses tab with sections 1-2 numbered

A list of all of your courses appear with orange stars to the left of the Course Name. Click on the stars to un/favorite. Filled in stars (1) will appear on your Dashboard while empty stars (2) will not. Your courses will always be available in this All Courses list as long as you are enrolled in them and the course is not deleted.

screenshot of all courses list with sections 1-2 numbered

Canvas Courses Not Appearing

Courses are added into Canvas on a regular basis, and this can sometimes result in your Dashboard (which can only display 20 courses at a time) overflowing with new courses. It is also possible that a course import from a previous course resulted in old date and time settings propagating to your new course.

How Do I...

These guides (and many more!) are available in the Canvas Guides for Instructors.

Navigate Canvas

Dashboard Card View Overview
- Overview of Dashboard course card icon meanings and how to customize your course cards' nicknames, color overlays and more.
Use the Global Navigation Menu
- General tour of the left-hand navigation menu.
View All My Courses
- Instructions on how to view all courses where you are enrolled.

Customize

Customize My Course List
- Full documentation on how to have only favorite courses show on your Dashboard.

Features

View Grades on Dashboard
- Instructions on how to view your average grades across all the courses you currently teach.
To Do List and Sidebar on Dashboard
- General look at the To Do List and right-hand sidebar on your Dashboard and how to manage items on it.

How Do I...

These guides (and many more!) are available in the Canvas Guides for Students.

Navigate Canvas

Dashboard Card View Overview
- Overview of Dashboard course card icon meanings and how to customize your course cards' nicknames, color overlays and more.
Use the Global Navigation Menu
- General tour of the left-hand navigation menu.
View All My Courses
- Instructions on how to view all courses where you are enrolled.
View Global Activity for All Courses
- Instructions on how to use your recent activity dashboard.

Customize

Customize My Course List
- Full documentation on how to have only favorite courses show on your Dashboard.

Features

View Grades on Dashboard
- Instructions on how to view your average grades across all the courses you are currently enrolled in.
To Do List and Sidebar on Dashboard
- General look at the To Do List and right-hand sidebar on your Dashboard and how to manage items on it.

Why Can't I See My Course?

It hasn't been published by your instructor yet.
- This is the most likely reason why you are not able to see your course. Your instructor must "Publish" the course so it is available and visible to students.
If it is an older course, it may be concluded so access is restricted.
If you are still having problems, full troubleshooting instructions are available.
- Still having trouble?
  - Canvas 24/7 Support is available by clicking on the Help button on the left-hand sidebar menu
  - Pitt IT 24/7 Help Desk
  - Email us at lms@teaching.pitt.edu