Faculty Tools and Services

Welcome to Canvas

Canvas is a web-based learning management system, or LMS. It is used at CU Denver and CU Anschutz to access and manage online course learning materials, increase student engagement, and promote student success. Every course listed in CU-SIS is provided with a Canvas shell. Enrollments are provisioned automatically and will reflect official rosters.

Canvas is for university affiliated users only. No non-CU email addresses are accepted.  

Co-Curricular / Noncredit Courses

Faculty and staff can request the creation of a co-curricular course. Co-­curricular courses in Canvas are used for delivery of non­credit courses for students, faculty, and staff such as training courses and courses on university policies and procedures.

Here are some examples of how co-­curricular courses may be used:

• An online student orientation course
• A student safety course to supplement a face ­to ­face course with lab work
• A non­credit remedial education course
• A course for university faculty or students that address university policies and procedures

Here are some examples of how co-­curricular courses may not be used:

• A course that replaces any fee or credit­-bearing courses
• A record keeping system (All information in co-­curricular courses is transient.)
• A communication tool in lieu of email lists

Faculty wanting a sandbox course (for experiment or development purposes only) can choose "create sandbox" from their Canvas Profile page. 

Request a Co-Curricular Course

External Applications

External applications include a variety of add-in software or tools, that is integrated into Canvas and typically extends its functionality. These third-party applications and services are not maintained or supported by the university. 

These tools, often developed as Learning Tools Interoperability (LTIs), enable data to be delivered between Canvas and the tool. After a tool is integrated with Canvas, it generally appears as a link or a widget within a course, which allows a user to be logged in and recognized by the third-party's tool. In some cases, data (such as grades) passes back and forth between the vendor's tool and Canvas. 

Integration of an external application takes between 2-4 months. The extended time is for us to: 

• Evaluate the Tool: All integrations must meet minimum qualifications for security, accessibility, and privacy.
• Ensure Protections: It is our responsibility to make sure that the university and its students are protected. This includes end-user agreements, a review of security practices, and the development of support resources. 
• Test the Product: Depending on the complexity, these integrations often require back and forth with the vendor. The product needs to undergo testing before it is released.

To request a new LTI be added to Canvas, submit a ticket to the service desk.