FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Additionally, you may find assistance by checking the Canvas Guides, or going to our YouTube page. You can also try Googling your issue, such as “How do I upload a video for an assignment in Canvas.”

Access

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.
  • MS Word. All Bates students are eligible to receive a current version of Microsoft Word for free. On the Office for Students webpage, click on “Find out if you are eligible.” Enter your BATES email address and follow the instructions.

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

For more information about using browsers with Canvas. Which browsers does Canvas support?

For a Quickstart Student Guide to using Canvas, go to the Canvas Student Getting Started Guide.

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.

Canvas Overview

An overview of Canvas, including logging in, customizing, performing basic tasks, and troubleshooting. This is about 12 minutes long and covers most of the basic information. The next videos cover individual topics more in depth.

Notifications

This video reviews how to configure your notifications in Canvas, including sending notifications to a personal email (instead of your default Bates email) and a cell phone.

Course Navigation and Canvas Help

This video reviews the basic parts of Canvas and how to navigate in your classes. Additionally, it reviews the steps for how to obtain assistance within Canvas.

Viewing Instructor Feedback

This video shows you how to view comments, annotations, and feedback that your instructor has left for you on an assignment.

Posting to a discussion board

This video reviews how to post to a discussion board, including posting and replying to others’ posts, as well as basic netiquette tips.

Submitting an Assignment

This video reviews the steps for submitting an assignment in Canvas, including how to submit documents and files.

A reliable internet connection. Bates Technical College provides free wi-fi connections for students who are on campus. The library provides computers/laptops as well. Go to the the Bates Library Website to learn more.

An updated version of your browser.

MS Word. All Bates students are eligible to receive a current version of Microsoft Word for FREE. Go to the Microsoft Office for Students webpage and click on “Find out if you are eligible.” Enter your BATES email address and follow the instructions.

The Canvas app is available for both iOS at the Apple Store and Android at the Google Play Store. Simple install the red Canvas Student app, and select Bates Technical College.

Please go to the Canvas Landing Page and follow the instructions.

Please contact IT at studenthelp@batestech.edu or call them at (253) 680-7055 for password assistance.

You should have access to your courses on the first day of class, although some instructors may open their courses early. If you have registered after the first day of class, you should have access to your courses by the end of the day.

The courses you are enrolled in for the current quarter will be on your Dashboard. If you need to find past or future classes you are enrolled in, go to Courses and click on All Courses. From there, you can ‘star’ courses to keep them on your Dashboard.

How do I…?

You can update your Profile by going to Account and clicking the Profile link. Click on the Edit Profile Button, and from there, you can upload a picture, add a bio, and change your contact information. Click on this link for more info.

You can change the default settings on how you are notified about your course by going into Account and clicking on Notifications. You can customize however you want, based on your provided email and cell number, as well as push notifications for all devices.

Please watch this video to learn how to upload assignments:

Help!

You can see the courses you enrolled in for next semester by clocking on the Courses link, and then selecting All Courses. At the bottom of the page, you will see your classes listed under Future Enrollments. If you have just registered for a course, it will be listed there by the end of the day.

Remember, courses are available in Canvas on the day class starts. If you are in Winter Quarter and have registered for Spring Quarter, you will have access to those courses when they start on the first day of Spring Quarter.

You can access your previously completed courses by going to Courses and clicking on All Courses. You will see your completed courses listed under Past Enrollments.

Contact your instructor. There could be a number of reasons for this to happen, and they are the first person you should call.

Contact your instructor if you have questions about the course including:

  • Accessing course content, such as modules and assignments
  • Grades and due dates
  • Questions about an assignment
  • Submitting an assignment

Contact the Online Learning Center if you have questions about Canvas access including:

  • Courses are missing from your dashboard
  • Old courses are still on your dashboard
  • Preferences, notifications, and settings
  • Difficulties with the Canvas app

Contact IT at studenthelp@batestech.edu if you have trouble with:

  • Logging into Canvas
  • Accessing your Bates student email
  • Logging into Microsoft 365
  • Logging into ctcLink