What is Canvas?

Canvas is a learning management system that makes teaching and learning easier.

It provides a mechanism where students and teachers can interface, using assignments, videos, instruction, and documents.

It is a tool designed to be used online with phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, available 24/7, no matter the location.

 

You can access online Canvas courses by using www.batestech.edu/canvas. 

If the answers to your questions are not found here, contact the Online Learning Center:

HOURS
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

LOCATION

Center/Mohler Campus, Advanced Technology Building, Rm. B207

Note: Note: Due to COVID-19, many Bates departments are working with limited face-to-face hours.  Please contact the individual or department for further information. Please check out the Bates Coronavirus Information and Resources page for more info.

CONTACT US

Due to current circumstances, communication by email is our preferred contact method, and will receive the quickest response, but do not hesitate to call our department if needed.

Phone: 253-680-7233
E-mail: olc@batestech.edu

USING CANVAS EFFECTIVELY

In order to participate effectively in an online class, at a minimum, you should be in possession of the following:

  • An effective, reliable computer
  • A high-speed internet connection (especially if you will be watching videos)
  • An updated version of your browser – Canvas recommends using Chrome as your browser and Firefox as a backup. We do NOT recommend using Internet Explorer.
  • MS Word or an equivalent word processing program. NOTE: All Bates students are eligible to receive a current version of Microsoft Word for free. Simply go to the Office for Students webpage and click on “Find out if you are eligible.” Enter your BATES email address and follow the instructions.

For more information on Canvas technical requirements, click on What are the basic computer specifications for Canvas?

For more information about using browsers with Canvas, click on Which browsers does Canvas support?

For a Quickstart Student Guide to using Canvas, click on Canvas Student Getting Started Guide

If you require support for Canvas, there are several ways to obtain assistance. The first and best is to click on the “Help” button in the bottom left corner of your screen. This will provide links to the following options:

  • Ask Your Instructor a Question, which will submit your question directly to your instructor
  • Search the Canvas guides, where you can research your problem and find answers to common questions
  • Report a problem, which will generate a help ticket

Canvas Videos

For those of you new to Canvas (or specific tasks in Canvas), these videos are designed to assist you with some of the basics of Canvas and how it works.

1.) Canvas Basics: Logging In and Getting Started

This is a nearly five minute video covering the basics of logging into Canvas for Bates Technical College, how to change your Dashboard to List View, and how to access your Calendar and Mail.

2.) Canvas Basics Settings

This video shows how to access and make changes to your settings, such as name, pronouns, email, and turning on accessibility features.

3.) Canvas Basics Notifications

This video goes over the basics of how to access and change your notifications.

4.) Canvas Basics Navigating a Class

This video will show you the basics of navigating your class, with a focus on Announcements, Modules, and Canvas Help & Student Resources.

5.) Submitting Assignments in Canvas

This video shows how to submit various types of assignments in Canvas.

6.) Posting to a Discussion Board in Canvas

This video shows how to post comments and reply to other comments in a Canvas Discussion Board.

7.) Viewing Instructor Feedback in Canvas

This video shows you have to review your instructor’s comments and feedback in Canvas.