Canvas Intro & Example Courses

Introduction

Canvas is Penn State's online Learning Management System (LMS). The features of this system can help enhance the education experience for both teachers and students beyond the physical classroom. You can use Canvas to deliver and/or supplement instruction in resident education courses, blended courses, and fully online courses. Completing the activities on this page will give you a brief introduction to Canvas along with some example courses for inspiration.

On This Page:

    1. Learn about Canvas features and uses in higher education
    2. View example courses for inspiration
    3. Review a list of Canvas terminology

NOTE: The Penn State Canvas website Links to an external site. is your official source for information about Canvas at Penn State.

 

Learn about Canvas features and uses in higher education

See an overview of the Canvas interface in the video below:

Canvas Overview video, 5m 53s

Explore articles, case studies, videos, research reports and more about how faculty are using Canvas in Higher Education, and learn how Canvas can be used to supplement face-to-face courses:

 

View example courses for inspiration

View a selection of example courses. These courses illustrate best practices and strategies from the PSU Template Course above.

  • Art Appreciation Links to an external site. (External resource)
    • This course is an exploration of visual art forms and their cultural connections for the student with little experience in the visual arts. It sports a visual home page with links to all the modules and a clean modules page.
  • Exploring Chemistry Links to an external site. (External resource)
    • This course introduces you to the fundamentals of Chemistry. It includes a nice introduction video, a comprehensive syllabus, and use of module locks to ensure a student must progress through the content in a prescribed order.

 

Review a list of Canvas terminology

New Canvas users will encounter specific terminology throughout Canvas. Refer to this glossary to identify the most common terms used in Canvas as you continue to get acquainted with the LMS: