Accessing Canvas
How do I log into Canvas for the first time--what will my password be?
The very first time you log into Canvas, do not click on the "Reset Password" link, that is for users who have already logged in at least once and have forgotten their password. Instead, log in with your CMC ID number as your username; and your default password will be cmc and the last 6 digits of your Social Security number, for example: cmc123456. Or, if you don't have a Social Security number, your default password will be cmc, followed by the 2 digits of your birth month, followed by the 2 digits of your birthday, followed by the letters xx. So, for example, if your birthday is January 5, and you don't have a Social Security number, your default password would be cmc0105xx. If you have no Social Security number and no birthdate in the system, your password will be a randomly generated number. You would need to contact the IT Department's Service Desk at 970-947-8438 for assistance in that case.
Your Canvas account is automatically activated and available when you enroll in a course or teach for CMC; instructors automatically receive a Canvas course for each course they are teaching. Students are automatically added to Canvas courses when they register. Other CMC employees who need to use Canvas and aren't sure that they have an active Canvas account or need special assistance, please contact the Office of Innovations in Teaching and Learning at innovations@coloradomtn.edu or the IT Department's Service Desk.
How do I find my CMC ID number that I'll use to log into Canvas?
If you're a student, your CMC ID number is located on the top right corner of your printed Student Schedule. Students can also find it by logging into WebAdvisor, then clicking on the Students menu tab, then clicking on “Program Evaluation.” Your CMC ID number may be printed on your ID card.
If you are an employee of Colorado Mountain College, your CMC ID number may be on your ID card; it will always be found on your paystubs from CMC.
If you are a CMC instructor, you can provide your students with their CMC ID numbers by consulting your course roster in WebAdvisor. For illustrated instructions on how to locate your WebAdvisor course roster and find a student's CMC ID number, please click here.
Finally, you can also contact your local campus or the IT Department's Service Desk if you are still unable to locate your CMC ID number.
How can I help my students find their CMC ID numbers so that they can log in to Canvas?
Students, like instructors and staff, must use their CMC ID numbers as their "username" for logging in to Canvas. If you are a CMC instructor teaching a current course and your registered students are not sure what their CMC ID numbers are, you can direct them here, or to this Canvas FAQ page for students; or you can consult your course roster in WebAdvisor which lists the CMC ID numbers of your students. For illustrated instructions on how to locate your WebAdvisor course roster and find a student's CMC ID number, please click here.
How do I reset my password if I've lost or forgotten it?
If you've previously logged in to Canvas successfully but have lost or forgotten your password, then click on the link "I don't know my password" on CMC's log-in page for Canvas. Instructions for resetting your password will be emailed to the principal email address in your Canvas account. Please see this tutorial for more details on how to change your default password to a password of your choice.
I know my password--how do I change it or otherwise update my profile in Canvas?
Please see this tutorial for more details on how to change your default password to a password of your choice. Please see this video tutorial on how to customize the notifications or alerts you receive from Canvas.
By clicking on the link with your name in the upper-right corner of the Canvas interface once you've logged in, you can:
- change your display name
- add a profile photo
- adjust notification preferences--what kinds of activities in Canvas will prompt it to send you messages, and how you prefer to receive those messages
- upload files
- create ePortfolios
- input or change phone numbers, email addresses, social media information, notification preferences, and other profile information in Canvas. Please note: your principal email address will remain your CMC email address. Changes made to your principal email address in your Canvas profile will be overridden by the system. You can add a secondary email address to your profile.
- You can link your accounts from Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Google, LinkedIn, Diigo, and Delicious to Canvas, and you can choose to receive alerts on your cell phone from Canvas too! Please see this video tutorial on how to customize the notifications or alerts you receive from Canvas.