You can return to your User Dashboard at any time by clicking the Dashboard link in Global Navigation.
The Dashboard [1] defaults to the course view, which provides access and updates in favorited courses. The Dashboard also includes a sidebar [2], which helps show upcoming events in your courses.
The Dashboard course view includes a course card for each of your favorite courses. Each card can include up to four tabs [1], which represent the four main Canvas features for student course activity: Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, and Files. These tabs mimic visibility and order in Course Navigation, so for instance, if an instructor hides the Announcements link, the Announcements tab will not display on the course activity.
If the tabs are visible, Discussions and Announcements indicate the number of new activity items in the course [2].
You can also change the color of your course, which is synced with the color shown for the course in the Calendar. To change the color, click the card Settings icon [1], then select a new color. The check mark indicates the selected color [2]. Click the Apply button [3].
If you change the color for a course in the Calendar, the Dashboard will also update with the new calendar color.
If one of your courses includes a long or confusing name, you can create a nickname for your course. Learn more about course nicknames.
The Dashboard may also include global announcements, which are announcements created by your institution. To remove the announcement from your dashboard, click the Remove icon.
To help manage Canvas activity, the Dashboard also supports the Recent Activity Stream, which can be toggled at the top of the Dashboard based on user preference. The recent activity stream shows activity for all your Canvas courses. To view Recent Activity, click the Dashboard icon. The icon will switch from the left side to the right, indicating the current Dashboard view.
Recent Activity contains a stream of recent notifications from all of your courses, also including announcements, discussions, assignments, and conversations. This activity stream helps you see all recent activity in your courses and easily ask questions and post to discussion forums.
Activities are indicated by activity type and display an icon [1] for the activity. New or unread activities are shown by the blue indicator dot [2]. Recent Activity items remain for four weeks.
Note: To receive notifications for Discussions, users must actively post in the discussions at least once every two weeks. If a user stops participating in a discussion after two weeks, Canvas will no longer display discussion notifications.
You can view the details of each activity by hovering in the notification area and clicking the Show More link [1]. To collapse recent activity, click the Show Less link [2].
You can directly access your recent activities by clicking the course link [1]. To remove a notification, click the remove icon [2].
The Sidebar helps you see what you need to do next across all your courses and can contain up to three helpful sections.
The To Do section [1] shows assignments or events that require your attention. Each item in the To Do list displays the assignment name, the number of points, and the due date for the assignment. If you are enrolled in a course as a student, the list shows assignments you need to turn in. If you are enrolled in a course as an instructor, the list shows assignments you need to grade. Items remain in this section for two weeks.
The Coming Up section [2] shows assignments and events coming due in the next seven days. If an assignment in the Coming Up list has already been graded, the assignment includes the assignment score.
If you are enrolled in a course as a student, the Recent Feedback section [3] shows assignments with feedback from your instructor. (This section still appears for instructors but does not display content.)
If you are an instructor with the appropriate permissions, you may see the Start a New Course button [4], which would allow you to create a new Canvas Course.
For students, each section item displays an icon [1] to differentiate between assignments and peer review assignments. For instructors, the item indicates how many items need to be graded [2].
If a section contains more items than are listed, a link will appear under the list that you can use to view additional items.
If there are more than 25 items in the To Do section, you must remove items before you can view any new items. To remove a To Do item, click the remove icon [3].
Note: For instructors, removing an item is only temporary; the item will reappear when a new submission is received for that assignment.
The sidebar also allows you to view grades. To view grades for your courses, click the View Grades button. This button is available to all user roles. Learn more about Dashboard Grades.
You can return to your User Dashboard at any time by clicking the Dashboard link in Global Navigation.