Module 1 Using and Navigating the Global Navigation Bar

Canvas has two Navigation Bars: The Global Navigation Bar and the Course Navigation Bar. On this page, we'll discuss the features of the Global Navigation Bar.

The Global Navigation Bar is the tool on the left side of your screen. This bar is used to navigate between locations in Canvas as a whole. The Course Navigation Bar, by contrast, is used to navigate within any course you're currently in. You can see a screenshot of the Global Navigation Bar below. Yours may look slightly different as you may have access to different features.

Global Navigation Bar_2022

Lets go down the items on this menu in order. Try opening Canvas in a second browser tab and clicking each of these items on the Global Navigation Bar to see where they take you and what they do as we go through the list below.

1. At the top, you will find the logo for UNTHSC. If you use Canvas at a different institution, you will see a different logo or no logo at all there.

2. The Account icon is used for adjusting settings related to your personal Canvas user account.

3. The Dashboard is the page you see when you first login to Canvas. On this page, you can see Canvas announcements and information about the courses you have access to in Canvas.

4. When the Courses icon is clicked, you will see a list of all active courses you have access to. To see a list of all courses you have access to including inactive or past courses, click All Courses at the bottom of your list of courses.

5. The Canvas Calendar will keep track of all upcoming assignments, due dates, and events that have been scheduled in courses you belong to. You can also add your own events from the Calendar page and even sync the Calendar with Outlook or Google Calendar by clicking Calendar Feed and following the directions.

6. You can send messages to users in your courses from the Inbox, as well as check your incoming messages. Be aware that some students will have disabled notifications from the Inbox, so if you intend to use Canvas to send and receive messages it is advisable that you notify your students that they will be accountable for checking these messages.

7. Next is MyCoursEval. This is a service used by HSC for students to submit course evaluations for the classes they take.

8. The Help menu is a resource you should get to know well. From this menu you can submit support tickets to Canvas, contact the Canvas support desk, find information about student services, and visit the Canvas Community to search for guides and other information about Canvas.

9. Canvas Orientation takes you to another course developed by the DAI for students about Canvas. You have the option to enroll in that course as well.