Canvas Information for Students

Canvas - RUSH University’s new Learning Management System

RUSH University is currently at the beginning stages of transitioning to the Canvas learning management system (LMS) from Blackboard Learn. Canvas is a learning environment for face to face, online and hybrid courses. Some features your instructor may provide in your Canvas course are access to course materials, communication tools, online assessments and grades, as well as the ability to submit assignments electronically

The transition process will take a year to completely move students and courses to Canvas.

Transitioning to Canvas

What does that mean for students?

Current Students: Depending on what program or courses you are enrolled in, beginning in Fall 2021 courses will be taught in Canvas. Not all courses will be taught in Canvas for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. You may have to toggle between Canvas and Blackboard for your courses during the next few semesters. If you are enrolled in a course and you see the course in Blackboard, then the course is still taught in Blackboard. If you do not see the course in Blackboard, log into Canvas and check your Dashboard for the course listing.

New Students: Depending your program, you may begin your courses in Canvas only. In some cases, your professor might reach out to you via email to let you know if your course is in Canvas or Blackboard. In certain programs, you might have all courses in Canvas, all courses in Blackboard, or you might have to go to both Blackboard and Canvas.

If you would like to check to see if your course is in Blackboard or Canvas, you can check this list: Course Listing and Learning Management System.

You can also check Blackboard or Canvas for your course listing once the course is available in the LMS. Please be aware, most courses are not published until the day before the start of the term or, depending on your instructor, sometimes published the day that course begins.

Please note: some programs or courses will not transition to Canvas until Fall 2022. If you have not received Canvas log in information for Fall 2021 or Spring 2022, then your courses will be taught in Canvas beginning Fall 2022.

How do I log in to Canvas?

Canvas can be accessed here or with the following URL: https://rushuniversity.instructure.com.

This will direct you to the RUSH single sign on page. Use your RUSH email and single sign on password.

It’s a good idea to bookmark this URL to your web browser bookmarks bar. If you are not able to log in, please be patient as the course you are enrolled in may not be in Canvas just yet.

How do I get started in Canvas?

First, watch this video Overview on Canvas.

Canvas Overview for Students from Instructure Canvas Community on Vimeo.

Next, watch this tutorial on getting started in Canvas at RUSH University.

What are some important Canvas links I need to know?

Canvas Student Guide

This link will take you to the Table of Contents for the Canvas Student Guides. This Canvas guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on specific questions you may have about the Canvas features.

Canvas Video Guides

We put together a collection of links to Canvas video guides. You can watch these on the go to get familiar with Canvas features.

User Settings and Profile - How to set your personal setting in Canvas and create a profile.
Notification Preferences - How to set your notifications for communications, notifications that are specific to the user and to the course you are enrolled in.
Conversations Overview - You will learn how to view, manage, and send direct messages to individuals or groups of people using the Conversations tool.
Canvas Calendar Features - How to use the Canvas Calendar and how to keep track of important events, tasks and assignments in the Calendar.
Assignments Overview - How to access and view assignments in a course.
Assignment Submissions - You will learn different ways to submit an assignment in a course.
Canvas Dashboard - How to manage your dashboard and sidebar within the dashboard.
Discussions - How to view, reply to and manage discussion forums.
Grades - How to check grades and use the Grade book.
Quizzes - How to access a quiz (or exam), how to take a quiz and how to check your results.
New Quizzes - Learn how to take a quiz (or exam) in the newest version of the Quizzes tool.

Can I use Canvas on a mobile device?

Absolutely!

Students download the Canvas Student app on any iOS or Android device.
- For Android devices, download from the Google Playstore
- For iOS devices, download from the Apple App Store

Screenshot of the Canvas app for Students

What are the technical requirements for Canvas?

Occasionally, browsers encounter problems with Canvas features because of updates and incompatibilities. CTEI recommends that you have the latest version of one of the following browsers installed:

Download: Google Chrome (Links to an external site.) (Preferred)

Download: Firefox (Links to an external site.)

Download: Microsoft Edge (Links to an external site.)

As of 2019, Canvas does not support the use of Internet Explorer. To learn more details about browsers and plug-ins that work best with Canvas, view the Canvas Community’s page on Canvas Browser Technical Requirements (Links to an external site.)

Mac users: Safari web browser is not recommended for use with Canvas. Please download one of the recommended web browsers above.

Unveiling Canvas

Canvas is RUSH University’s new learning management system. The unveiling of Canvas is coming soon to students. Read through this page to get the information you need to unveil Canvas and learn how to get started before the semester begins.

Where can I get tech help for Canvas?

Help spelled in black keyboard keys with business objects.

Canvas Tech Help for Students

Email: Rush University IT Support - 3clas@rush.edu

Phone: Rush University IT Support - 312-563-2527 (3-CLAS)