Getting Started
New to Canvas Observer?
Please follow the instructions below or watch our Canvas Observer Videos to learn how to create and use a Canvas Parent Account.
First Time Canvas Observer Setup
Step 01
Generate a Canvas Pairing Code
Students must generate a pairing code from their Canvas account before a parent or guardian can create an Observer account.
1
Have your child sign in to their Canvas account on a computer.
2
Select Account on the top left side of the webpage, then select Settings.
3
On the Settings page, select Pair with Observer on the right side of the page.
4
A pairing code will appear. Copy it or write it down EXACTLY. You will use it in the next step.
Note:
This pairing code will expire after seven days or after one use.
Where to Find Your Pairing Code
Step 02
Create a Canvas Parent Account
Use your student's pairing code to create your Canvas Parent Observer account and connect to your student's courses.
1
On your computer, navigate to manhasset.instructure.com/login/canvas .
Note: This is a different URL than the one your student uses to reach Canvas.
2
Select “Parent of a Canvas User? Click Here For an Account” on the top right side of the webpage.
3
Complete the online form.
4
Enter the pairing code from Step 1 in the Student Pairing Code box.
Important: Pairing codes are CASE SENSITIVE and expire after seven days or after their first successful use.
Create Your Parent Account
Good to Know
Assignments: Parent observers are able to view assignments only after they have been published by the teacher.
Grades: Grades are visible to parent observers once assignments have been graded and returned in Canvas (if the Grades tab is available), or by selecting the assignment directly.
Using Canvas
Using Canvas as an Observer
Adding Additional Children to Observe
01 Have another child log into their Canvas account and create a pairing code, as described in Setup Step 1.
02 Log into your Observer account.
03 Click the Account circle in the upper left, then select Observing.
04 Enter the additional pairing codes and click the + Student button.
Changing Which Child You Are Observing
01 On the Canvas Dashboard, select the drop-down box near the top with one child's name in it.
02 Choose another child from the list.
03 You should now see all of the information for this child's classes.
Grades
What-If Grades
Understanding hypothetical scores
What-If Grades allow students to calculate their total grade by entering hypothetical grades for assignments. Only students can enter and view What-If scores.
To test a different score for an assignment, students can click an assignment grade and enter a score in the score column.
Learn how students use What-If Scores , and know that a Parent Observer account can see grades information as well.
Canvas Dashboard
Canvas Dashboard Viewing Options
WATCH VIDEO GUIDE
There are 3 Dashboard viewing options. You may switch between these using the
Dashboard Option button
(3 dots in the top right).
VIEW 01
Card View
Shows all courses as a card with clickable buttons for announcements, assignments, discussions, and files.
VIEW 02
List View
Shows an agenda view of graded and upcoming items in date order.
VIEW 03
Recent Activity
Shows a stream of notifications from all courses.
Card View and
Recent Activity include a sidebar with a simplified version of List View that contains upcoming work and recent feedback.
Navigating Canvas
Canvas Global Navigation Menu
WATCH VIDEO GUIDE
Account
Change user settings, add additional emails, choose which notifications you will receive and where they will go, and more.
Dashboard
Return to your Canvas Dashboard.
Courses
Access the courses for the students you are observing.
Calendar
View your personal and course calendars. These are color-coded and display all content with a date. Each calendar can be toggled on or off, and each dated content can be clicked for more details.
Inbox
View, create, and reply to conversations with teachers and children you are observing.
Help
Access help resources for Canvas, including user-friendly video guides.
Customizing the Card View of Canvas Dashboard
Card View shows a tile or card for each of your child's classes. You can change your observer settings without affecting your child's.
Manage Which Tiles Are Shown
01 Click Courses, then scroll down and click All Courses.
02 Click the star icon next to any courses you wish to show on the dashboard.
03 Return to the Dashboard to see only those starred courses.
Customize the Cards
01 Click the Options Icon on the top right of a card to create a nickname that only you will see.
02 Click the Options Icon on the top right of a card to choose an overlay color for each class.
03 Click and drag the card to reorganize them.
04 Click the Options Icon on the top right of the page and click Color Overlay to toggle a color overlay over an image, or just a small colored circle.
Canvas Tools
Stay Connected to Canvas
APP
The Canvas Parent App
Download the Canvas Parent App
01 Click on the blue Find School button.
02 In the "Find your school or district" field, type in Manhasset.
IMPORTANT: Select Manhasset Public Schools Observers/Parents. You will not be able to sign in with the teachers/students option.
03 Enter your login and password OR create a new account.
04 Click on the student icons for any students you are currently observing.
05 To observe an additional student, click the Add Student button. Click Pairing Code and enter the pairing code provided by the student.
06 Tap the student's icon to view each course.
Working with Canvas Courses
Canvas Course Home Page Overview
WATCH VIDEO GUIDE
Each Canvas course will load to a home page. Each home page and course may be organized differently (text, buttons, etc.).
Understanding the Course Home Page
Many teachers provide an “Index” which will explain exactly how their Canvas page is structured.
Finding Course Content
Course Sidebar: The Course Sidebar on the right has a Coming Up feed, which shows upcoming content for the class.
Course Navigation: The Course Navigation on the left has links to various sections of the course.
Each course will have different links, in different orders, and sometimes used in different ways.
Modules are one of the most common links available. Modules provide content and assignments organized by topic, periods of time, and more.
Viewing Assignment Details
Open any assignment from Modules, Coming Up, Calendar, etc., to find additional details for that assignment.
Details include submissions (may or may not be visible depending on the submission type), submission date, rubrics, feedback, grades, and more.