Step 5 - Stay Connected

Illustration of Canvas logo in middle surrounded by people in circles connecting to the logo with dotted lines

STEP 5: STAY CONNECTED

Staying connected online is one of the most important things you can do. It can save you a lot of time and effort. In order to stay connected and communicate well with your instructor and other students, follow the guidance below. 

► SET UP HOW YOU ARE NOTIFIED

Canvas profile slide out showing notifications link with Canvas global navigation options on the side. Profile picture is of a male student with dark hair and name shows as "Joe Crimson."

Set your notification preferences in Canvas

UPDATE YOUR CANVAS ACCOUNT

Check your notification preferences in Canvas. Notifications provide helpful alerts about course activity, such as:

  • grades
  • new discussion posts
  • upcoming quizzes
  • assignments
  • announcements
  • “conversations” or messages

KEY CONCEPTS

Illustration of a yellow key with tag hanging off

Set your notifications so you are alerted immediately to the following items:

  • Announcements
  • Grading
  • Submission 
  • Conversations (messages)

 

*Be sure to enable notifications for your OU email alias if you have one (see below).  You may want to disable any notifications for your default OU email address to avoid receiving duplicate notifications.

SET UP YOUR DEFAULT METHOD OF CONTACT

Set your Canvas account to communicate with you through the correct email and phone number. Make sure to include your OU email as one of the methods. 

KEY CONCEPTS

Illustration of a yellow key with tag hanging off

If you have created an OU email alias it is important to add this to Canvas so you can reply to emails sent from Canvas from within your email account.

EXAMPLE: If your default OU email address is Ima.B.Sooner-1@ou.edu, you might have set up a shorter, easier email alias such as imasooner@ou.edu. This needs to be added to Canvas and become your default email.

 

Round profile example photo of a female student with glasses and a blue shirt

Add a profile picture

► MAKE IT PERSONAL

ADD A PROFILE PHOTO

Set up your profile in Canvas to include a photo. This helps you and your classmates to better connect with one another and the instructor.

 

► CHECK EMAIL AND YOUR CANVAS INBOX 

As was already mentioned, check your OU email daily. Your Canvas Inbox will also show all messages you receive through Canvas. If you have your email set up to receive these messages you will see them in both locations. 

KEY CONCEPTS

Illustration of a yellow key with tag hanging off

CHECK messages daily!

 

 

⤇ The last section provides information on how to get additional help. 

Click the "Next" button to proceed.

 

 

Student profile photo by Caique Silva Links to an external site. on Unsplash Links to an external site.