Online learning requires LMS technology to deliver and manage educational content efficiently. With the rapid growth of online education, platforms like Canvas have become essential for colleges and universities.   

Online learning caters to diverse student groups, including working professionals, military personnel, and stay-at-home parents, offering flexibility to balance education with other commitments. 

Courses range from general education to advanced degrees, covering subjects like nursing, business, and computer science.

Canvas, developed by Instructure.com, is a leading LMS platform used by institutions such as Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Purdue University Global, and Liberty University. 

It facilitates course management, interactive discussions, and assessment submissions, making it a preferred choice for modern education.

However, the rise of online learning has sparked concerns about academic integrity. Cheating in online courses is prevalent, with reports suggesting 68% of students admitted to cheating in some form during remote learning (Source: Educational Integrity Survey, 2023). 

Examples include using unauthorized resources during proctored exams or sharing essay solutions via group chats. Colleges combat this through tools like plagiarism detection software and AI-driven proctoring systems. 

For instance, Canvas integrates seamlessly with anti-cheating tools, promoting fairness and accountability.

The Canvas platform balances accessibility with rigorous integrity standards, making it a cornerstone of contemporary education.

What Is the Canvas Student Portal?

Canvas is an online learning management system (LMS) designed to help students and educators access, manage, and organize educational resources. It is widely used in colleges and universities to deliver coursework, track progress, and facilitate communication between students and instructors.

The platform is versatile, catering to diverse learners such as nurses completing online healthcare degrees, military personnel balancing service with education, and working professionals pursuing advanced certifications. Canvas provides tools for submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and accessing grades, making it a comprehensive portal for modern education. Institutions like Chamberlain and ASU Online rely on Canvas to streamline learning.

What is Instructure? 

Instructure is an educational technology company that developed Canvas, a widely used learning management system (LMS) in higher education. 

Founded in 2008, Instructure aims to enhance teaching and learning experiences through innovative software solutions.

How Does Canvas Work for Students?

Canvas helps online students to manage their learning efficiently through an intuitive platform. After login, students can access course materials, submit essays, complete online exams, and participate in discussion posts with replies to peers. 

The system tracks progress, displays grades, and allows students to communicate with instructors seamlessly.

Canvas supports diverse assessment types, including tests, essays, and simulations, making it versatile for courses ranging from nursing to business. 

Features like calendar reminders and mobile app compatibility enhance usability, ensuring students can stay organized. Its user-friendly interface simplifies online education for busy learners balancing multiple responsibilities.

Which Colleges Use Canvas?

The following are examples of colleges in the U.S. using Canvas LMS:

1. Ohio State University: Offers online bachelor’s programs in Nursing, Psychology, and Engineering.
2. University of Florida: Provides courses in Business Administration, Environmental Management, and Health Education.
3. University of Central Florida: Features programs in Criminal Justice, Hospitality Management, and Information Technology.
4. University of Nebraska Omaha: Offers degrees in Communication Studies, Sociology, and Political Science.
5. Colorado State University: Provides courses in Agricultural Business, Human Development and Family Studies, and Computer Science.
6. University of Oklahoma: Features programs in Liberal Studies, Lifespan Care Administration, and Criminal Justice.
7. Pennsylvania State University—World Campus: Offers degrees in Energy and Sustainability Policy, Cybersecurity Analytics, and Digital Journalism.

These institutions utilize Canvas to deliver a wide array of online courses, enhancing accessibility and engagement for students across various disciplines.

Why Are Schools Using Canvas Now?

Schools are adopting Canvas LMS because it provides a centralized platform that integrates various online learning tools seamlessly. 

Its user-friendly features ensure that students can focus on mastering course content without being overwhelmed by complex technology. Educators benefit from streamlined tools that enhance teaching efficiency, enabling them to dedicate more time to instruction. 

Canvas fosters a cohesive learning environment by connecting assignments, grades, and communication tools in one location. This integration supports a smooth educational experience, making it an ideal choice for schools aiming to simplify online education while maintaining high-quality teaching and learning standards.

Does Canvas Student Cost Money?

Yes, students can access Canvas LMS for free through the Free-for-Teacher account, which provides essential features and functionality.

However, institutions seeking advanced features and integrations must contact Instructure for pricing details, as costs vary based on specific requirements.

How Do I Access Canvas as a Student?

To access Canvas as a student, start by navigating to your institution’s Canvas URL, provided during enrollment or accessible via your school’s website. 

Open a web browser and go to the student login page. Enter your login details, which typically include a username and password assigned by the institution.

Once logged in, you’ll access course materials, discussion posts, grades, and assignments. For a seamless experience, bookmark the login page for future use. 

Canvas is compatible with most web browsers, making it convenient for students to stay connected to their coursework anytime, anywhere.

Can Canvas Detect Cheating?

Yes, Canvas detects cheating in the following 5 ways:

1. Monitoring Browser Activity: Canvas tracks browser actions, including switching tabs or minimizing the exam window.
2. Using Exam Codes: Unique exam codes ensure that each student receives a personalized test to prevent sharing answers.
3. Plagiarism Checks: Canvas integrates tools like Turnitin to identify copied content in essays and assignments.
4. Detecting New Tabs: During proctored exams, Canvas flags students who open new tabs to search for answers.
5. Tracking Proctored Browser Movement: If students leave the proctored browser environment, Canvas records the behavior as suspicious.

Does Canvas Track Tabs?

Yes, Canvas tracks tabs during proctored exams by detecting when students switch away from the exam browser. This feature helps instructors monitor academic integrity by flagging any attempts to search for answers or access unauthorized materials. 

Tools like proctored  Browser enhance this capability for secure online assessments.

Can Canvas See When You Switch Tabs?

Yes, Canvas can see when you switch tabs when doing exams or quizzes, especially if proctoring tools. 

These tools monitor browser activity and flag tab switching as potential cheating, ensuring students stay focused on the exam without accessing unauthorized resources.

Can Canvas Detect ChatGPT?

Yes, Canvas can detect AI-generated content when integrated with plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin, which now includes AI-writing detection features. 

These tools analyze patterns in submitted work to identify content likely generated by AI, such as ChatGPT, ensuring academic integrity in assignments and essays.

Can Canvas Detect Split Screen?

Yes, Canvas can detect split screen usage during proctored exams when tools like Respondus LockDown Browser are enabled. These tools monitor screen activity and flag behaviors such as accessing other windows or applications, ensuring students focus solely on the exam environment to maintain academic integrity.

Can Canvas See Your Tabs?

Yes, Canvas can detect when you switch tabs during exams or quizzes, when using proctored monitor. These tools monitor browser activity and can flag instances of tab-switching as potential academic dishonesty, helping maintain the integrity of online assessments.

Does Canvas Record Your Screen?

Yes, Canvas can record your screen during proctored exams when integrated with third-party Proctorio tools. These tools monitor your screen activity, webcam, and microphone to uphold academic integrity during assessments. 

However, Canvas alone does not have the capability to record your screen without such integrations. 

How to Cheat on Canvas Exam or Quiz

These are some ways to cheat when doing exams and quizzes on Canvas:

1. Using Another Device.
2. Custom Browsers.
3. Sharing Screens with Experts.
4. Creating Hidden Notes.
5. Utilizing Network Failures.
6. Impersonation.
7. Group Collaboration.
8. Taking Advantage of the 30-Second Window.
9. Using Inspect Element Tool.
10. Hiring Writing Services (Helpers).

Using Another Device

You can cheat the Canvas system when doing an exam by using another device, such as a laptop or tablet, to look for answers without leaving the exam tab. This method works only if the exam does not utilize camera monitoring or proctoring software like Respondus. 

To succeed, you must act quickly, as many exams are timed, leaving little room for delays. It’s essential to ensure the additional device is discreetly placed and accessible, minimizing distractions or suspicion. However, this approach risks detection if the instructor uses activity monitoring tools to track unusual patterns during the test.

Custom Browsers.

You can use custom browsers to cheat on Canvas exams by employing modified browsers that bypass standard security measures, allowing access to unauthorized resources during tests. Respondus LockDown Browser are designed to prevent such cheating by restricting browsing capabilities during exams.

Sharing Screens with Experts

You can share your exam or quiz screen with an expert to get real-time assistance using screen-sharing technology. This method often involves collaborating with online class help services or a knowledgeable individual who guides you through questions. 

Popular tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or AnyDesk enable seamless screen sharing during the test.

This technique is effective only when the exam lacks proctoring or monitoring technology, as such systems can detect screen sharing or external devices. 

While it offers an easy way to receive help, it requires careful planning to avoid technical glitches or detection by instructors monitoring exam activity logs.

Creating Hidden Notes

One of the old ways of cheating is using hidden notes strategically placed where they can be discreetly accessed during the exam. These notes might be taped to a desk, hidden behind the monitor, or written on small papers. 

However, extreme caution is required when a camera is monitoring to avoid detection.

Utilizing Network Failures

Even with a proctoring system, you can use system failure to cheat Canvas by intentionally triggering a network outage. This can be done by disconnecting your internet briefly to pause the exam timer or create confusion. However, be cautious, as excessive disruptions might alert instructors or proctoring software.

Impersonation

You can seek help from your friend or relative who is good in that subject by having them impersonate you during the exam. This requires altering the student ID picture or other verification details to match the impersonator. Advanced methods may include using fake IDs or modifying login credentials.

However, this approach is risky, especially if the university has records of your appearance or employs live proctoring systems with webcam monitoring. Institutions often use facial recognition technology, making it difficult to fool identity checks. Additionally, getting caught can result in severe academic penalties, including suspension or expulsion.

Group Collaboration

Cheating on Canvas can also work through the help of a group by coordinating answers during exams or quizzes. Students may use private chat groups, messaging apps, or shared documents to exchange solutions. This method is more effective when proctoring systems are not in place or poorly monitored.

Taking Advantage of the 30-Second Window.

You can exploit Canvas’s quiz log system by taking advantage of the 30-second window. Canvas records inactivity after 30 seconds, so quickly switching tabs to search for answers within this timeframe may go undetected. 

Using Inspect Element Tool.

You can use the Inspect Element tool to cheat on Canvas exams by examining the webpage’s HTML and JavaScript code to potentially reveal correct answers embedded in the code. 

Hiring Writing Services 

The best way to cheat online exams and quizzes on Canvas is by hiring online class help services. These professional services can write your essay, do your exam, and even navigate proctored exams with advanced techniques. 

Services like EduPeg have mastered ways to bypass Canvas’s monitoring systems, ensuring students can complete their work without detection.

Such services often employ subject experts to handle specific assignments, exams, or essays, providing accurate and timely results. While effective, this approach poses ethical and academic risks, as getting caught can lead to severe penalties, including expulsion and damaged credibility.

Benefits of Canvas to Students 

Canvas LMS has the following benefits for online students:

1. User-Friendly Interface: Easy navigation ensures students can access materials, submit assignments, and track grades effortlessly.
2. Mobile Compatibility: The Canvas app allows learning on the go, providing flexibility for busy students, just like Aleks’s platform for Math students.
3. Comprehensive Tools: Offers discussion boards, assignment submission, and feedback integration in one platform.
4. Real-Time Communication: Facilitates instant messaging with instructors and peers, enhancing collaboration.
5. Grade Transparency: Students can view detailed grading rubrics and feedback for improvement.
6. Customizable Notifications: Keeps students updated on deadlines and course changes.
7. Easy for Online Class Helpers to Cheat with the System: The system’s flexibility and integrations can be exploited by class helpers for unethical academic assistance.

Which Is Better, Blackboard or Canvas? (Blackboard)

Canvas and Blackboard are prominent Learning Management Systems (LMS) in higher education, each with distinct features. As of 2023, Canvas holds approximately 41% of the U.S. and Canadian higher education market, while Blackboard’s share has declined to 17%.

User satisfaction ratings indicate a preference for Canvas, with a score of 4.6 out of 5, compared to Blackboard’s 4.2.

Canvas is praised for its intuitive interface and mobile accessibility, enhancing user experience. Conversely, Blackboard offers extensive features but has faced criticism for a complex interface.

Institutions like Ohio State University have adopted Canvas to leverage its user-friendly design, aiming to boost student engagement. In contrast, some universities continue using Blackboard due to its comprehensive tools and long-standing presence in the LMS market.

In summary, while both platforms are robust, Canvas’s growing market share and higher user satisfaction suggest it may better meet the needs of modern educational institutions.

Which Courses Use Canvas? (Courses)

The following courses utilize Canvas LMS:

1. Nursing and Healthcare: Including programs like ATI and TEAS preparation, and clinical simulations.
2. Business Administration: Covering accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
3. Computer Science: Featuring programming, data science, and cybersecurity courses.
4. Education: Preparing teachers with pedagogy and instructional design training.
5. Engineering: Offering civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering modules.
6. Arts and Humanities: Covering literature, history, and creative writing.
7. Social Sciences: Including sociology, psychology, and political science.
8. Mathematics: Offering algebra, calculus, and applied statistics courses.

How Is Canvas Dashboard (Modules-Units)?

Canvas dashboard comes with an intuitive design that organizes courses into modules and units, providing easy navigation for students. Each module groups related content like assignments, quizzes, and lectures, ensuring a structured learning flow. 

Discussion post panels are accessible for engaging with classmates and instructors, fostering interactive learning.

The dashboard includes a messaging feature for direct communication, grade panels for tracking performance, and an announcements section for important updates. This streamlined layout keeps students informed and focused on coursework, making it easier to manage learning objectives and deadlines within a user-friendly environment.

Which Are Common Canvas Assessments? (Assessments)

The following are common Canvas assessments:

1. Proctored Exams
2. ATI and TEAS Tests
3. Essays
4. Discussion Posts and Replies
5. Quizzes
6. Simulations
7. Group Projects
8. Online Presentations
9. MyMathLab and ALEKS Assignments
10. Cengage and McGraw Hill Connect Tasks