Canvas for Students: Access, Courses, Training, and Support

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Canvas for Students: Access, Courses, Training, and Support

Learn how to access Canvas, find courses, complete student training, use Respondus LockDown Browser, manage assignments and notifications, and get assistance.

Access Canvas

Go to ncat.instructure.com and sign in using your university OneID credentials.

Access Canvas Canvas Student Guide Download Respondus Lockdown Browser

Signing In to Canvas

Open a supported web browser.
Go to https://ncat.instructure.com.
Select the university sign-in option if prompted.
Enter your university OneID credentials.
Complete multifactor authentication if prompted.
Review your Canvas Dashboard and Courses menu.

Student OneID Formats

Students may sign in using either of the following formats:

OneID@ncat.edu
OneID@aggies.ncat.edu

Both username formats represent the same student account and use the same OneID password.

Your Official Student Email Address

Although both username formats may be accepted for sign-in, your official student email address remains OneID@aggies.ncat.edu.

Select a section below to view additional information.

Finding Your Canvas Courses

Available courses may appear on your Canvas Dashboard. To view your complete course list:

Select Courses from the Canvas global navigation menu.
Select All Courses.
Review the current, future, and previous course listings available to your account.

A course may not appear on the Dashboard until it has been published by the instructor. A published course may also remain unavailable until its scheduled start date.

If a Course Is Missing

Confirm in Aggie Access that you are registered for the course.
In Canvas, select Courses and then All Courses.
Allow time for a recent registration or schedule change to update.
Confirm that the semester and course start date have begun.
Ask the instructor whether the Canvas course has been published.
If you are registered and the instructor confirms the course is published, contact the IT Service Desk.

Student Canvas Training

Students have access to the following self-paced resources within Canvas:

Passport to Canvas: Introduces the Canvas interface and common student activities.
Student Canvas Resource Hub: Provides university-specific Canvas information and student resources.

After signing in to Canvas, select Courses to locate these resources. If you do not see these course, self-enroll here: Passport to Canvas Student Canvas Resource Hub

Access Canvas Training Courses View the Canvas Student Guide

Course Materials, Assignments, Grades, and Notifications

What Students Can Do in Canvas

Depending on how an instructor has configured a course, students may use Canvas to:

Review the syllabus, modules, course files, and learning materials.
View announcements and messages from instructors.
Submit assignments and review submission status.
Complete quizzes and other assessments.
Participate in discussions and group activities.
View assignment feedback and grades released by the instructor.
Access videos, publisher materials, and integrated academic tools.
Review course calendars, due dates, and upcoming activities.

Submitting Assignments

Before submitting an assignment:

Read the complete assignment instructions.
Confirm the due date and availability date.
Verify the required file type or submission method.
Use the file name format requested by the instructor.
Allow sufficient time for the file to upload.
Remain on the page until Canvas confirms the submission.
Review the submission details or confirmation after submitting.

Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute

Internet interruptions, unsupported files, large uploads, or browser problems may delay a submission. Begin early enough to address problems before the deadline.

Canvas Notifications

Select Account from the Canvas global navigation menu.
Select Notifications.
Review and adjust the available notification settings.
Verify that your contact information is correct.

Canvas notifications supplement, but do not replace, regularly checking Canvas and your university Outlook email.

Browsers, Computers, and Mobile Access

For the best experience, use a current version of a modern web browser. Keep your browser and operating system updated and allow pop-ups when required by course tools.

The Canvas Student mobile app is available for iOS and Android. The app can be used to view courses, submit many assignments, receive notifications, and communicate while away from a computer.

Mobile Devices May Not Support Every Activity

Some assignments, quizzes, publisher tools, file uploads, or exams may require a Windows computer, Mac, Chromebook, or a specific application such as Respondus LockDown Browser. Review your instructor’s directions before beginning an assessment.

View Canvas Student Documentation

Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor

Some instructors may require Respondus LockDown Browser for online exams in Canvas. LockDown Browser creates a restricted testing environment and limits access to other websites, applications, printing, copying, screen capture, and standard browser functions while an exam is in progress.

When Respondus Monitor is required, the exam session may also be recorded using the computer’s webcam and microphone for instructor review.

Install and Test the Respondus Lockdown Browser

Install and test the Respondus (LDB) before the exam date. Do not wait until the assessment is about to begin to download the software or test your webcam and microphone.

Device Requirements

Windows and Mac users must install the university-specific version of Respondus LDB.
Chromebook users must install the supported extension when Chromebook access is permitted.
Respondus LDB cannot normally be used on a mobile phone.
Respondus Monitor requires a working webcam and microphone.
Course-specific or publisher-provided exams may have additional requirements.

Download and Install the Respondus LBD

Use the North Carolina A&T-specific Respondus download link.
Download the correct version for your supported device.
Open the downloaded installer.
Follow the installation prompts.
Restart the computer if prompted.
Open the practice quiz or system check provided by your instructor.
Resolve software, webcam, microphone, or network problems before the exam.

Prepare for a Respondus LDB Exam

Review the instructor’s exam requirements.
Complete the practice test or system check when provided.
Close other applications before opening LockDown Browser.
Connect the computer to power.
Use a reliable internet connection.
Verify that the webcam and microphone work when Monitor is required.
Have any identification or permitted materials ready.
Select a quiet, well-lit location when webcam monitoring is required.

If Respondus Does Not Work

Restart the computer.
Confirm that you installed the North Carolina A&T-specific version.
Check for Respondus updates.
Close screen-sharing, recording, messaging, remote-access, and other restricted applications.
Verify webcam and microphone permissions.
Try the instructor-provided practice exam again.
Record the complete error message and take a screenshot when possible.

If a problem occurs during an active exam, follow the instructor’s directions and notify the instructor as soon as possible. Technical support cannot change an exam deadline, reopen an assessment, or approve another attempt.

Lockdown Browser for ALEKS

ALEKS uses a separate, customized version of LockDown Browser. Follow the installation prompt provided from within ALEKS.

Important: Lockdown Browser for ALEKS may not be available for Chromebooks or on university lab computers. Contact the instructor before the exam if you need an appropriate device.

Download Respondus Lockdown Browser View Labs With Respondus Lockdown Browser Respondus Lockdown Browser Technical Support

Previous Blackboard Courses and Grades

Courses from terms prior to Fall 2026 will not be available to students in Canvas. Final course grades remain part of the university’s official academic records and can be viewed through Aggie Access when available.

If you need access to course materials from a previous class to remove an incomplete grade, contact the instructor or appropriate academic department.

Canvas Troubleshooting

If Canvas does not open or work as expected:

Confirm that you are using ncat.instructure.com.
Verify that your OneID password works with another university service.
Close and reopen the browser.
Clear the browser’s cache and cookies.
Try a private or incognito browser window.
Try another supported browser.
Disable unnecessary browser extensions temporarily.
Check whether the problem occurs in one course or all courses.
Capture the complete error message and take a screenshot.

If the problem only affects one assignment, quiz, or course item, contact the instructor to confirm that the item is published, available, and properly configured.

Student Frequently Asked Questions

When will students start using Canvas?

Students can access Canvas now. Fall 2026 courses become available based on the first day of classes, course start date, and when the instructor publishes the course.

How do students sign in?

Use either OneID@ncat.edu or OneID@aggies.ncat.edu with the same OneID password.

Is my student email changing to @ncat.edu?

No. Your official student email address remains OneID@aggies.ncat.edu.

How will students learn to use Canvas?

Passport to Canvas and the Student Canvas Resource Hub are available under Courses in Canvas.

Why is one of my courses missing?

Confirm your registration in Aggie Access, check Courses > All Courses, and ask the instructor whether the course is published.

What happens to previous Blackboard courses and grades?

Previous Blackboard courses remain closed to students. Official final grades remain available through Aggie Access when posted. Students with incomplete grades for previous terms will complete the coursework in Blackboard. Instructors must request course access for students.

Will Canvas look the same for every class?

No. Instructors have flexibility in how they organize courses, although the university promotes consistent navigation.

What devices and browsers work best?

Use a current modern browser. The mobile app supports many activities, but some assignments and exams require a computer.

Do I need Respondus Lockdown Browser for every Canvas exam?

No. Respondus Lockdown Browser is required only when the instructor enables it for a specific assessment.

Can I take a Respondus Lockdown Browser exam on my phone?

No. Respondus Lockdown Browser cannot be used on a mobile phone.

Can technical support reopen an assignment or exam?

No. Only the instructor or appropriate academic area can extend a deadline, reopen an assessment, change a grade, or approve another attempt.

Getting Assistance

Contact Your Instructor

Contact the instructor for questions about course content, assignment directions, due dates, grades, course availability, exam requirements, additional attempts, or whether a course item has been published.

Contact the IT Service Desk

Contact the IT Service Desk for OneID sign-in problems, Canvas access errors, missing access after enrollment and publication have been verified, or unresolved technical problems.

Include your course name and section, instructor, browser and device, the activity you were attempting, complete error message, screenshot, and troubleshooting steps already attempted.

Canvas Student Resources

Access Canvas, review student documentation, download Respondus Lockdown Browser, or request assistance.

Access Canvas Canvas Student Guide Download Respondus LDB View Labs With Respondus LDB Request Technical Assistance

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Canvas for Students: Access, Courses, Training, and Support