Learning Management Software- Canvas Information

How to Pair with Your Student in Canvas

Step 1: 

As a student, you can generate a pairing code to link an observer to your Canvas account. You must create a separate pairing code for each observer who wants to link to your account. For more information on pairing codes, view the Pairing Codes - Frequently Asked Questions PDF.

An observer may be your parent, guardian, mentor, counsellor, or another individual who needs to view your Canvas courses. Linked observers can view and participate in certain elements of your Canvas courses. For more information on the observer role, view the Observer Visibility and Participation PDF.

Note: If you are an observer and want to generate a pairing code for a student, you will need to log in to the student’s Canvas account and follow the steps in this lesson. After you have copied the pairing code, you can link to the student by entering the code in your User Settings.

Open User Settings

In Global Navigation, click the Account link [1], then click the Settings link [2].

Pair with Observer

Click the Pair with Observer button.

Note: If the Pair with Observer button doesn't display in your User Settings, please contact your institution for assistance with pairing with an observer.

Copy Pairing Code

Copy the six-digit alphanumeric pairing code [1]. You will need to share the code with the observer who will link to your account. The pairing code will expire after seven days or its first use.

To close the window, click the OK button [2].

Note: Pairing codes are case-sensitive.

Step 2: 

Parents can sign up as an observer in Canvas. Observers can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. 

This lesson is for parents who do not have a Canvas account and want to observe their students in their courses. In order to create a Canvas account, you will need the Canvas URL associated with the school where your student is enrolled. If you do not know your school's Canvas URL, contact your student's school.

If you already have an account from your student's school, log in to Canvas using the credentials given to you.

Notes: 

• If the registration banner is not available in the login page, the school has not enabled this feature. Please contact your student's school for assistance. The registration banner is enabled through Canvas authentication.
• To observe a student, you must have a student pairing code.
• Once you have an account, you may be able to view student information through the Canvas Parent app. Access to the Canvas Parent app is controlled by the student's school. If you already have an account from your student's school as an observer, you can always view student information through the Canvas Parent app.

Open App

Open your device and tap the Canvas Parent icon.

Find School

To find your institution, tap the Find School button [1]. To create an account using a generated pairing QR code, tap the QR Code link [2].

Create Account Using QR Code

To create an account using a QR code, tap the I don't have a Canvas account link [1] and tap the Next link [2]. Open the Canvas Student app and scan the QR code.

Find Institution

Enter the name of your institution or school district. When the full name appears in the search list, tap the name.

Note: If you are an admin and your school does not appear in the search list, please contact your CSM about mobile smart search.

Enter Canvas URL

You can also log in using your Canvas URL. Enter your institution's Canvas URL in the search field [1]. Then tap the Go button on your keyboard [2].

If you don't know your Canvas URL, tap the Tap here for help link [3].

Create Account

To create an account, tap the Create Account link.

Note: If the Create Account link account does not display, your student's institution has disabled creating accounts for observers.

Create Account Credentials

Enter your name in the Your Name field [1] and email address in the Your Email field [2].

Then create a new password by entering it in the Password field [3]. Confirm your new password in the Re-enter Password field [4].

Enter Pairing Code

Enter the six-digit alphanumeric pairing code for the student you want to link to in the Student Pairing Code field.

Notes:

• Students can generate pairing codes from their User Settings. Depending on institution permissions, admins and instructors may also be able to generate pairing codes.
• After your account is created, you can link additional students to your account in the Parent app.

Complete Registration

To complete your registration, agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy [1]. Then tap the Start Participating button [2].

View Parent App

View your linked student in the Canvas Parent app.

Open App

On your mobile device, tap the Canvas Parent icon.

Find Your School

To find your institution, tap the Find School button [1]. To create an account using a generated pairing QR code, tap the QR Code link [2].

Create Account using QR Code

To create an account using a QR code, tap the I don't have a Canvas account link [1] and tap the Next link [2].

Open the Canvas Student app and scan the QR code.

Find Institution

Enter the name of your institution or school district in the text field [1]. When the full name appears in the search list, tap the name [2].

Note: If you are an admin and your school does not appear in the search list, please contact your CSM about mobile smart search.

Enter Canvas URL

You can also log in using your Canvas URL. Enter your institution's Canvas URL in the search field [1]. Then tap the Next link [2].

If you don't know your Canvas URL, tap the How do I find my school or district? link [3].

Create Account

To create an account, tap the Create Account link.

Note: If the Create Account link account does not display, your student's institution has disabled creating accounts for observers.

Create Account Credentials

Enter your name in the Your Name field [1] and email address in the Your Email field [2].

Then create a new password by entering it in the Password field [3]. Confirm your new password in the Re-enter Password field [4].

Enter Pairing Code

Enter the six-digit alphanumeric pairing code for the student you want to link to in the Student Pairing Code field.

Notes:

• Students can generate pairing codes from their User Settings. Depending on institution permissions, admins and instructors may also be able to generate pairing codes.
• After your account is created, you can link additional students to your account in the Parent app.

Complete Registration

To complete your registration, agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy [1]. Then tap the Start Participating button [2].

View Parent App

View your linked student in the Canvas Parent ap