Overview

The purpose of this document is to show parents/guardians how to become observers in their children's Canvas courses. Assignment details, a combined calendar of all student courses, due dates, etc. are all available to observers. In order to pair with your child as an observer, you will be required to obtain a pairing code through your child’s account. The following are step-by-step instructions.

What You Need

A computer with Internet access
Optional: The Canvas Parent App: iOS or Android (for mobile devices)

Resources

Condensed Steps to Canvas Parent Access as An Observer (Click item to see detailed instructions)

Access Your/Your Child’s Canvas Account Settings on Their Device
Add an Observer
Copy Down the Observer Code
Parents Create Their Own Canvas Account (Skip to Step 6 if One Already Exists)
Start Participating and Skip to Step 8
From The Parent Account, Find Students Currently Observed
Add a New Student
Explore the Student Dashboard
Access and Read Through the Course Orientation Modules in Each Course
Download and Utilize the Canvas Parent App

1. Access Your/Your Child’s Account Settings on Their Device

Ask your child to open Canvas on their device. In the student’s Canvas dashboard, click on Account in the Global Navigation Menu on the left. Then click on Settings. Detailed instructions on logging in as a student are at this link: Student Instructions for Accessing Canvas for the First Time - Google Doc

2. Add an Observer

Choose “Pair with Observer” on the lower-right side of the screen.

3. Copy Down the Observer Code

This code is only good for 24 hours. It is case-sensitive.

4. Parents Create Their Own Canvas Account (Skip to Step 6 if One Already Exists)

To log into Canvas as a Parent, go to https://ccsk12.instructure.com/login/Canvas. If you have a parent account that already exists for other children, log in. If not, click the link to create a parent account.

5. Start Participating, and Skip to Step 8

Enter the required information and the pairing code from the child’s account. Then click “Start Participating”

6. From The Parent Account, Find Students Currently Observed

Click on the Account link in the Global Navigation menu on the left and click “Observing”

7. Add a New Student

Enter the student pairing code in the blank and press “Enter”

8. Explore the Student Dashboard

All classes in which observed students are currently enrolled will appear here. Click on a course card to access.

9. Access and Read Through the Course Orientation Modules in Each Course

Students are able to access course meetings on the Class Recordings Tab each afternoon. Please note that the recording may not be of the section in which your child is enrolled, but the content will be largely similar to the class(es) missed.

10. Download and Utilize the Canvas Apps

This app provides mobile access to grading, communicating, and updating—three of the most frequent course facilitation tasks for teachers through Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes.

Click on the Correct Button for your OS to Download

iOS Canvas Parent Guide

Android Canvas Parent Guide