Canvas Online Resources for Students

This page provides videos, links, and step-by-step guides to help you learn how to use Canvas effectively for your courses. Explore these resources to get familiar with key features, complete common tasks, and find support when needed. You can also find extensive guidance in the Canvas Student Guide, maintained by Instructure, the creators of Canvas.

Canvas Profile Set-up

Navigating Your Canvas Course

Feedback and Grades

Default Time Zone 

Online assignments at Wilmington University are aligned with the Eastern Standard Time zone. Throughout the course duration, all dates, deadlines, and times are presented in alignment with the Eastern Standard Time zone. Most assignments have a deadline set for the conclusion of their designated week at precisely 11:59 pm, one minute prior to midnight.

In Canvas, users have the option to specify their time zone in their User Settings, although this choice does not impact the course's time zone. If users have configured a specific time zone in their User Settings, all course-related dates and times will be displayed in their local time. However, by hovering over the date and time, users can also view the corresponding course date and time in the Eastern Standard Time zone.

How to change your time zone from the EST default:

  1. In Global Navigation, click on your Profile.
  2. Click the Settings link.
  3. Click Edit Settings.
  4. In the Time Zone drop-down menu, select a new time zone for your Canvas account. 
  5. Click the Update Settings button.

 View this Canvas support webpage to view a more detailed tutorial for this process. 

Canvas Orientation and Technical Support Resources

Canvas Account Access

For the most current policies, please refer to our Canvas Student Account Access Information.

Recommendation: Preserve Your Academic Work

Before losing access to Canvas, we strongly recommend that you download and save copies of your assignments, feedback, and course materials. These can be valuable for future academic, professional, or portfolio use.

Consider showcasing your academic achievements on Google Sites or LinkedIn. Upload key projects, papers, or presentations to your site or profile to highlight your work. This not only preserves your efforts but also enhances your professional visibility.

Download Submissions from Canvas

Creating a Submission Export allows you to download a ZIP file of all your Canvas assignment submissions from all current and past courses. This file could be large and may take some time to generate. You can navigate away from the page and return later to complete the download.

Content export files cannot be downloaded after 30 days. Be sure to save your export promptly.

Steps to Download Your Submitted Assignments:

  1. Log in to Canvas.
  2. Click on Account in the Global Navigation menu.
  3. Click on Settings.
  4. Click the Download Submissions button in the sidebar.
  5. Click Create Export.
  6. Once the export is complete, click the New Export link.
  7. Locate the ZIP file on your computer:
    • Mac users: Double-click to open.
    • PC users: Right-click and select Extract All.
  8. Open the expanded folder to view your assignment submissions by course.

Important Considerations