New Students: Accessing Canvas for the First Time

Browsers

We recommend using an updated version of Chrome or Firefox. There is also an in-depth Guide on Supported Browsers.
Chrome will be required to use Honorlock, a third-party remote proctoring tool provided by CGI.
We also recommend enabling third-party cookies on your browser for the best experience using Canvas.

First-time Login

You can access Canvas using the credentials that were set up for you when you enrolled at CGI through our single sign-on portal at https://login.cgi.edu. If you need help beyond this, please fill out a support ticket. You can also email the Help Desk at techsupport@cgi.edu.
For new students, we recommend making sure you have already set up and tested your single sign-on credentials prior the first day of class. Once you are able to access Canvas, we recommend that you review your Canvas settings to set up and receive vital notifications. All Canvas notifications are sent from notifications@instructure.com.

Getting Help

Use the CGI Knowledge Base to search for articles that can help you to solve many frequent issues with Canvas and other CGI tools and services.
Fill out a Support Ticket to request assistance from the Help Desk team.

Why don't I see my Canvas course? The Registrar enrolled me in my first courses...

Make sure you are registered: Confirm that you have been registered for courses through Populi, the student information system.
Has the term started: In most cases, faculty publish their courses on the Friday before the first day of class, known as "Soft Open." Your course will not appear on your Canvas dashboard until it is published.
Check if you have been enrolled in the Canvas course:
- Log on to Canvas at my.cgi.edu.
- Select “Courses” on the Global Navigation menu.
- Select “All Courses” in the panel that appears.
- Review your courses to see which ones are listed as "Future Courses" and check the published status (yes or no). If a course says “No” under published, then the instructor has not published the course yet for students and you will not be able to see it yet.
- All courses should be published by the Friday before the first day of the the term. If you do not see a course on your dashboard at that time, please contact the instructor to learn when it will be published.

Contacting Your Instructors

Inbox (also called Conversations) can be used as an in-Canvas email system. Inbox is a two-way messaging tool used instead of email to communicate with members of a course, a group, or an individual user. You can communicate with other people in your course at any time. Check out the Inbox guide.

Canvas Mobile App

Canvas Student allows students to access their courses and groups using a mobile device. Students can submit assignments, participate in discussions, view grades and course materials. The app also provides access to course calendars, To Do items, notifications, and Conversations messages.

Follow the appropriate Canvas Mobile Users' Guide to install the Canvas Student App and connect it to your CGI Canvas account.
- Canvas Mobile iOS User Guide
- Canvas Mobile Android User Guide
We do not recommend using a mobile browser on your phone (e.g., Safari, Chrome).

Global Navigation

The global navigation menu is located at the left side of the screen and is visible from all pages. It contains links to your Account, Dashboard, Courses, Calendar, Inbox, History, and Help. Depending on your role in Canvas you may see additional links on the menu.
In-depth Global Help Menu.

Dashboard

The Dashboard is the first thing you will see when you log into Canvas. The Dashboard helps you see what is happening in all your current courses.
In-depth Dashboard Guide.

Course Navigation

The Course Navigation Menu is a series of links on the left side of your course that help you and your students access different course areas. The Course Navigation Menu is always visible on its respective pages. Take a tour of CGI's Canvas platform via a short video.

Personalizing Canvas

Profile Photo

Images should be square in size to prevent your picture from being resized or distorted. Files can be any type (.jpg, .png, .gif) or size as long as you have room in your personal files to store the file. Canvas recommends that your profile picture be as small as possible.
CGI requires that each student use a headshot as a profile photo. No memes, cartoons, etc. The photo must clearly identify you as you.

Name

Your name is listed in Canvas exactly as it is listed in Populi, the student information system. This is typically your legal name of record. If you wish to change how your name appears in Canvas, please speak with the Registrar.

Pronouns

You may select the pronouns that you wish to use in Canvas via Global Navigation / Account / Settings. More information on setting your pronouns in Canvas.
These pronouns will appear next to your name on class rosters or in the "People" area of a course and are viewable by instructors and other students.
If you do not set pronouns, none will appear next to your name in Canvas.

Notifications

Canvas includes a set of default notification settings you can receive for your courses. However, you can change the default settings by setting your own notification settings. These settings only apply to you; they are not used to control how course updates are sent to other users.

In-depth Notifications Guide.
Notifications from Canvas come from notifications@instructure.com, and they often show up in the “other” or “updates” area of your inbox.

Time Zones

CGI operates on Pacific Time. You can set a specific time zone in their User Settings, so all course dates and times will display in your local time. If you hover over the date and time, you can also see the course date and time that was originally set (and at CGI, this will be Pacific time).

For example, if an assignment is due on Sunday at 11:59 pm Pacific time, and you have set Canvas to adjust these times to Central time, it will appear as if the due date/time is 1:59 am Central Time on Monday, for you.

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