Getting Started with Canvas at UMD

New to Canvas, or, do you need to update your Canvas course for Fall 2026? The University of Minnesota offers many on-demand and self-paced courses and web resources. 

Canvas Essentials Microcourse (Self-paced resources)

Instructors new to Canvas can take the self-paced, Canvas Essentials Microcourse. Enroll in Canvas Essentials via TrainingHub 

  1. Login with your InternetID [email protected]
  2. Find the Spring 2025 section and click the green Enroll in Course button.

Canvas Starter Guides

Fall 2025 Canvas Clinics and Workshops

More Canvas and academic technology webinars, and demos will become available in September. Check Teaching Support for the latest events.

  • The Fall 2025 Virtual Canvas Clinic is an opportunity for faculty and instructors to get hands-on support and consultation for start-of-semester tasks and course planning assistance. This clinic will be held virtually via Zoom:
    • Tuesday, August 19, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
    • Tuesday, August 26, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Canvas Gradebook - Join ATSS to walk through the ins and outs of setting up your Canvas Gradebook for the current or upcoming semester. Note: Registration for Canvas Gradebook Set Up is required:
    • Tuesday, August 19, 1:00 p.m.
  • The first of UMD's Canvas Demo sessions will be Wednesday, September 24, 2025 via at 10:00 to 11:00 am, or 3:00 -4:00 pm

UMD Canvas Fall Semester Support

Reach out to UMD’s Academic Technology and Course Design support and service for Canvas and more.

  • ITSS Academic Technology hosts Zoom Drop-In Sessions at the beginning of the semester and throughout the academic year. Faculty can ask questions and share their ideas related to the technologies for teaching and learning.  We cover Canvas basics, such as:
    • exploring the interface
    • setting up course navigation and home pages
    • using the gradebook feature
    • building assessments, videos lessons, quizzes and discussions
  • Academic Technology Support Appointments: Schedule an Academic Technology Appointment to explore how to use Canvas or other academic technologies.
  • Course Design Consultations: Request a course design consultation to plan, organize, design, re-design, or incorporate multimedia into courses.