Nicholls Canvas is a learning management system used by Nicholls State University to facilitate online learning and provide a centralized platform for students and faculty to access course materials, submit assignments, and track progress. However, navigating the platform can be overwhelming, especially for new users. In this article, we will explore 12 Nicholls Canvas hacks to help you easily access the features and functions you need to succeed.
Introduction to Nicholls Canvas
Nicholls Canvas is built on the Canvas platform, a popular learning management system used by universities and colleges worldwide. The platform offers a range of features, including course pages, discussion boards, assignment submissions, and grade tracking. To get the most out of Nicholls Canvas, it’s essential to understand how to navigate the platform and use its features efficiently.
Customizing Your Canvas Dashboard
One of the first things you should do when logging into Nicholls Canvas is customize your dashboard. The dashboard is the main page you see when you log in, and it provides an overview of your courses, assignments, and announcements. You can customize your dashboard by adding or removing widgets, such as the course list, to-do list, and recent activity feed. To customize your dashboard, click on the “Dashboard” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Customize” button.
Here are some key features to consider when customizing your dashboard:
- Course List: This widget displays a list of all your current courses. You can click on a course to access its homepage.
- To-Do List: This widget shows a list of upcoming assignments and deadlines. You can click on an assignment to access its details.
- Recent Activity Feed: This widget displays a feed of recent activity in your courses, including new announcements, discussions, and assignment submissions.
Nicholls Canvas Hacks
Now that you've customized your dashboard, let's dive into some Nicholls Canvas hacks to help you easily access the features and functions you need.
Hack #1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Nicholls Canvas offers a range of keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate the platform quickly. For example, you can use the “Ctrl + Shift + >” shortcut to move to the next page or the “Ctrl + Shift + <” shortcut to move to the previous page. You can find a full list of keyboard shortcuts by clicking on the “Help” link in the top navigation menu and then clicking on the “Keyboard Shortcuts” link.
Hack #2: Creating Custom Course Links
If you have multiple courses in Nicholls Canvas, you can create custom course links to quickly access each course. To create a custom course link, click on the “Courses” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “All Courses” link. Find the course you want to create a link for and click on the three dots next to its name. Select “Copy Link” from the dropdown menu and then paste the link into a new browser tab or bookmark it for easy access.
Hack #3: Using the Nicholls Canvas App
Nicholls Canvas offers a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The app allows you to access your courses, submit assignments, and track your progress on-the-go. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store and log in with your Nicholls Canvas credentials.
Hack #4: Creating a Personal To-Do List
In addition to the to-do list widget on your dashboard, you can create a personal to-do list in Nicholls Canvas. To create a personal to-do list, click on the “Account” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “To-Do List” link. You can add tasks to your to-do list and set reminders and due dates.
Hack #5: Using the Calendar Feature
Nicholls Canvas offers a calendar feature that allows you to view upcoming assignments, deadlines, and events. To access the calendar, click on the “Calendar” link in the top navigation menu. You can filter the calendar by course or type of event and set reminders and notifications.
Hack #6: Creating Custom Notifications
You can customize your notifications in Nicholls Canvas to receive alerts for specific events, such as new announcements or assignment submissions. To customize your notifications, click on the “Account” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Notifications” link. You can select the types of notifications you want to receive and set your notification preferences.
Hack #7: Using the Chat Feature
Nicholls Canvas offers a chat feature that allows you to communicate with your instructors and peers in real-time. To access the chat feature, click on the “Chat” link in the top navigation menu. You can initiate a new chat or join an existing conversation.
Hack #8: Creating a Personal Profile
You can create a personal profile in Nicholls Canvas to share information about yourself with your instructors and peers. To create a personal profile, click on the “Account” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Profile” link. You can add a profile picture, bio, and contact information.
Hack #9: Using the File Upload Feature
Nicholls Canvas offers a file upload feature that allows you to submit assignments and share files with your instructors and peers. To access the file upload feature, click on the “Assignments” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Submit Assignment” link. You can upload files from your computer or cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Hack #10: Creating Custom Groups
You can create custom groups in Nicholls Canvas to collaborate with your peers on assignments and projects. To create a custom group, click on the “People” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Groups” link. You can add members to your group and set permissions and roles.
Hack #11: Using the Peer Review Feature
Nicholls Canvas offers a peer review feature that allows you to review and provide feedback on your peers’ assignments. To access the peer review feature, click on the “Assignments” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Peer Review” link. You can provide feedback and ratings on your peers’ assignments and receive feedback on your own assignments.
Hack #12: Using the Analytics Feature
Nicholls Canvas offers an analytics feature that allows you to track your progress and engagement in your courses. To access the analytics feature, click on the “Account” link in the top navigation menu and then click on the “Analytics” link. You can view your course metrics, including your grade, engagement, and time spent on tasks.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Customizable homepage that displays course list, to-do list, and recent activity feed |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | Shortcuts to navigate the platform quickly, such as Ctrl + Shift + > to move to the next page |
| Custom Course Links | Links to quickly access each course, created by copying and pasting the course link |
| Nicholls Canvas App | Mobile app for iOS and Android devices to access courses, submit assignments, and track progress on-the-go |
| Personal To-Do List | Customizable to-do list to add tasks, set reminders, and due dates |
| Calendar Feature | Calendar to view upcoming assignments, deadlines, and events, with filtering and reminder options |
| Custom Notifications | Customizable notifications to receive alerts for specific events, such as new announcements or assignment submissions |
| Chat Feature | Real-time chat to communicate with instructors and peers |
| Personal Profile | Profile to share information about yourself with instructors and peers, including profile picture, bio, and contact information |
| File Upload Feature | Feature to upload files for assignment submissions and sharing with instructors and peers |
| Custom Groups | Groups to collaborate with peers on assignments and projects, with customizable permissions and roles |
| Peer Review Feature | Feature to review and provide feedback on peers' assignments, with feedback and ratings options |
| Analytics Feature | Feature to track progress and engagement in courses, with metrics including grade, engagement, and time spent on tasks |
