Introduction

This page describes the interface and functions of your Dashboard and Global Navigation menu and what you can expect to use them for.

On This Page:

Navigate to your existing courses in the Dashboard
Review recent activity and student grades via the Dashboard
Navigate to other features of Canvas through the Global Navigation menu

Navigating your Dashboard

The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. It helps you see what is happening in all your current courses. The courses on your Dashboard will be organized into Published Courses (courses students are able to see and access) and Unpublished Courses (courses students are not yet able to see and access).

Dashboard view

Your Dashboard may default to one of three views: Card View, List View, or Recent Activity View.

Card View - Displays course cards for quick access to all your favorite courses (the same courses displayed in the Courses link from the Global Navigation Menu).
List View - Displays all course to-do items in an agenda view.
Recent Activity View - Displays all recent activity for all courses.

Read through the following tutorials to learn more about the features on your Dashboard and how to use them:

How do I use the Dashboard as an instructor?

How do I view my favorite courses in the Card View Dashboard as an instructor?

How do I use the To Do list and sidebar in the Dashboard as an instructor?

How do I view global activity for all my courses in the Recent Activity Dashboard as an instructor?

How do I view all my Canvas courses as an instructor?

How do I view grades in the Dashboard as an instructor?

Use the Global Navigation Menu

The Global Navigation menu is the black bar that runs along the left side of your browser window. It allows you to navigate to different courses and features inside of Canvas, including a full list of your courses, the Inbox, and the Calendar. The Global Navigation menu will almost always be visible to you, no matter what you are doing inside of Canvas.

You can return to your Dashboard at any time by clicking the Dashboard link in Global Navigation.

How do I use the Global Navigation Menu as an instructor?

How do I customize my Courses list as an instructor?

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Module 1 Overview