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Canvas Roles


Canvas Roles at a Glance

 


COURSE ROLE
Course Teaching and
Learning Roles

Assigned via Compass
 



Teacher
Alternate Teacher
Student





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COURSE ROLE
Course Associate Roles

Assigned via
Department Scheduler/ORCA




Course Designer
Grader
Grades Submitter
Teaching Assistant
Lead Teaching Assistant
Librarian


LEARN MORE

 


COURSE ROLE
Course Observer Roles

Assigned via
Department Scheduler

 


Student Peer Mentor
Faculty Peer Evaluator 
Transcriber
Visiting Student




LEARN MORE

 


USER ROLE
Student Observer Roles

Assigned via
Instructor of Record




Student Observer
  






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ADMINISTRATION ROLE
Administration Roles

Assigned after Approval
from Deans and LMS Teams




Academic Liaison
 






LEARN MORE

 

Texas A&M Course-Level Roles

COURSE TEACHING AND LEARNING ROLES   


The table below lists the Course Teaching and Learning roles that are available at Texas A&M. These roles are managed and updated through feeds provided by Compass daily. The Teacher role is identified as the Instructor of Record for a course, while the Alternate Teacher is enrolled via Compass by a department scheduler as the Additional Instructor. Students are enrolled in a course through Howdy. For additional guidance on enrolling Course Teaching and Learning roles or identifying your Department Scheduler, email scheduling@tamu.edu
 

LMS Course Role Code

Definition

Banner Table

Description in Banner

Teacher

Instructor for an academic course. Instructor enrolled from SSASECT with primary indicator checked.  

Alternate Teacher

Secondary instructor for a course and enrolled in a section as indicated from Compass.

Instructor enrolled from SSASECT with primary indicator not checked.

LMS Alternate Teacher

Student Individual student for an academic course and enrolled in a section. Enrolled from SFRSTCR.  
***Special Note: Course roles are derived from SSBSECT, SFRSTCR, and SWASECT forms in the SIS or through ORCA.
An individual may only be assigned to one course role per course. Students enrolled in the course may not be assigned any other course role other than the Student role.
 

Assigning Teaching and Learning Roles


To be assigned as instructor of record (IOR) or as an additional instructor the departmental scheduler will add the access on either SSASECT or SWASECT in Compass as follows:
  • Instructor of Record (IOR) – Added on SSASECT and has the primary indicator checked, can only have one per section/course.
  • Additional Instructors – added on SSASECT and do not have the primary indicator checked, can have multiple.


Permissions


The table below illustrates the permissions provided by Canvas that determine how a Course Teaching and Learner role can interact with course content, features, and tools. 

 

Permissions

Teacher

Alternate Teacher

Student

Analytics - view pages X X  
Announcements - view X X X
Assignments and Quizzes - add / edit / delete X X  
Canvas Insights (Beta) - View X X  
Conversations - send messages to entire class X X  
Conversations - send messages to individual course members X X X
Course Calendar - add / edit / delete events X X  
Course Content - add / edit / delete X X  
Course Files - add / edit / delete X X  
Course State - manage X X  
Courses - change visibility      
Courses - view usage reports X X  
Discussions - create X X X
Discussions - moderate X X  
Discussions - post X X X
Discussions - view X X X
Grades - edit X X  
Grades - select final grade for moderation X X  
Grades - view all grades X X  
Grades - view audit trail X X  
Groups - add / edit / delete X X  
Groups - view all student groups X X X
Learning Outcomes - add / edit / delete X X  
Learning Outcomes - import X X  
Manage Pages - add / edit / delete X X  
Question banks - view and link X X  
Rubrics - add / edit / delete X X  
Users - view list X X X
Users - view login IDs X X  
Users - view primary email address X X  


COURSE ASSOCIATE ROLES   


The table below lists the Course Associate roles that are available at Texas A&M that are assigned via Department Scheduler. If the Course Associate role can be added via ORCA, it is noted under the Banner Table column below. These roles are required to complete training prior to obtaining access to the courses they are assigned to in Canvas. Additional information on how to enroll course associate roles and the training requirements are listed below. 
 

LMS Course Role Code

Definition

Banner Table

Description in Banner

Course Designer

Individual that provides specific course design, accessibility requirements, navigation, and creation of digital content (audio & video files) for a course within the Learning Management System (LMS).

Enrolled from SWASECT - AC_CD and/or ORCA.

LMS Course Designer

Grader

Individual that provides grading for all course assignments, assessments, and other projects within the course.

Enrolled from SWASECT - AC_LG and/or ORCA.

LMS Grader

Grade Submitter

Individual with that can submit final academic course grades from the LMS to the SIS.

Enrolled from SWASECT - AC_GR.

Final Grade Submissions

Librarian

Individual in a course that manages library resources. 
Role must be assigned by Department Schedulers.

Enrolled from SWASECT.

AC_LB – LMS Librarian

Lead Teaching Assistant Individual acting as Lead TA responsible for managing groups of TAs across courses and sections. Enrolled from SWASECT - AC_LT and/or ORCA. LMS Lead Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Individual acting as a teaching assistant working with the teacher within a course and responsible for content, features, tools, and/or grades.

Enrolled from SWASECT - AC_TA and/or ORCA.

LMS Lead Teaching Assistant

***Special Note: Course roles are derived from SSBSECT, SFRSTCR, and SWASECT forms in the SIS or through ORCA.
An individual may only be assigned to one course role per course.
 

Training Requirements for Course Associate Roles


All individuals associated with a course in Canvas are required to have completed FERPA and Information Security Awareness training in TrainTraq. This includes Canvas course associate roles (Lead TA, TA, Designer, Grader, Grade Submitter).

 

FERPA training will need to be recertified every four years. Information Security Awareness training will need to be recertified every year.


 

Permissions


The table below illustrates the permissions provided by Canvas that determine how a Course Associate role can interact with course content, features, and tools. 

 

Permissions

Course Designer

Grader

Grades Submitter

Librarian

Lead Teaching Assistant

Teaching Assistant

Analytics - view pages         X X
Announcements - view X     X X X
Assignments and Quizzes - add / edit / delete X     X X X
Canvas Insights (Beta) - View         X  
Conversations - send messages to entire class X     X X X
Conversations - send messages to individual course members X     X X X
Course Calendar - add / edit / delete events X     X X X
Course Content - add / edit / delete X     X X X
Course Files - add / edit / delete X     X X X
Course State - manage         X X
Courses - change visibility X          
Courses - view usage reports X     X X X
Discussions - create X     X X X
Discussions - moderate X     X X X
Discussions - post X     X X X
Discussions - view X X   X X X
Grades - edit   X X   X X
Grades - select final grade for moderation     X   X X
Grades - view all grades   X X   X X
Grades - view audit trail            
Groups - add / edit / delete X     X X X
Groups - view all student groups X X   X X X
Learning Outcomes - add / edit / delete X     X X  
Learning Outcomes - import X     X X  
Manage Pages - add / edit / delete X X   X X X
Question banks - view and link X     X X X
Rubrics - add / edit / delete X     X X X
Student Collaborations - create       X    
Users - view list X X X X X X
Users - view login IDs   X X   X X
Users - view primary email address         X X
Web Conferences - create X     X    
 
 

COURSE OBSERVER-TYPE ROLES  


The table below lists the Course Observer-Type roles that are available at Texas A&M that are assigned via Department Schedulers. For additional guidance on enrolling Course Observer-Type roles or identifying your Department Scheduler, email scheduling@tamu.edu.  

 

LMS Course Role Code

Definition

Banner Table

Description in Banner

Faculty Peer Evaluator

Individual enrolled to observer course instructor for tenure or promotion, or for a quality assurance program to evaluate online course quality.

Role must be assigned by Department Schedulers.

Enrolled from SWASECT. AC_PE – LMS Peer Evaluation

Student Peer Mentor

Individuals enrolled into a course by the Academic Success Center to act as Peer Mentors associated with students in a course.

Role must be assigned by Department Schedulers.

Enrolled from SWASECT.

AC_SM – LMS Student Mentor

Transcriber Individual enrolled into a course to assist disabled students that have filed for an accommodation through the Department of Disability Resources.

Role must be assigned by Department Schedulers.

Enrolled from SWASECT. AC_TS – LMS Transcriber
Visiting Student Student enrolled into a current-semester course to observe current content, course structure, and third-party tools. Use of this role should align with Student Rule 2.1.

Role must be assigned by Department Schedulers.

Enrolled from SWASECT. AC_VS – LMS Visiting Student
***Special Note: Course roles are derived from SSBSECT, SFRSTCR, and SWASECT forms in the SIS or through ORCA.
An individual may only be assigned to one course role per course.
 

Permissions


The table below illustrates the permissions provided by Canvas that determine how a Course Observer role can interact with course content, features, and tools.

 

Permissions

Faculty Peer Evaluator

Student Peer Mentor

Transcriber

Visiting Student

Announcements - view X X X X
Conversations - send messages to individual course members   X    
Course Calendar - add / edit / delete events   X    
Discussions - post   X    
Discussions - view X X X X
 

Texas A&M Student Observer Role

The Student Observer role at TAMU allows for the ability to pair a Student Observer with an assigned student in a course in Canvas. The Student Observer role will have read-only access to courses, meaning they cannot change or edit any course content, submit work, or complete quizzes and exams. Student Observers are restricted from viewing data for other students enrolled in the class except in grouped assignments, peer reviews, and third-party tools.

Student Observers are visible to teachers in Canvas. They will appear in the People section of a course in Canvas and list their paired students. If there are no students participating in programs that required Student Observers to be enrolled in your course(s), no Student Observers will be added.

Student Observers will complete the two required trainings in order to receive access to view and monitor student information in the course.

 

LMS User Role Code

Definition

Banner Table

Description in Banner

Student Observer

Individual enrolled to observe assigned students. Enrolled from ORCA.  Enrolled from ORCA. 
 


Permissions


The table below illustrates the permissions provided by Canvas that determine how a Student Observer role can interact with course content, features, and tools. The X in a cell indicates permissions the Student Observer role has in a course. If the cell is blank, then the Student Observer role does not have the respective permission. 
 

Permissions

Student Observer

Announcements  - view X
Assignments and Quizzes - add / edit / delete  
Assignment  Submissions - view X
This includes Group assignment submissions
Assignment  Submissions - submit  
Collaborations - create  
Course Content - view X
Course Content - add / edit / delete  
Course Files - add / edit / delete  
Discussions - view X
Discussions - create / post / modify  
Discussions - reply  
Grades - view X
Only grades of the assigned student
Grades - edit / add / edit / delete  
Inbox - view X
Only messages sent to Student Observer; no ability to view direct messages sent to assigned student. 
Inbox - reply  
Modules - view X
Modules - edit / duplicate  
Pages - view X
Pages - add / edit / delete  
People - view  
Peer Reviews - view X
Course Available on User Dashboard X
 

Enterprise Third-Party Tools


The table below illustrates the enterprise level tools that a Student Observer role will have access to in a course. The X in a cell indicates tools the Student Observer role has access to in a course. If the cell is blank, then the Student Observer role does not have access to the tool. 

 

Tool

Student Observer


Google Assignments
 

Gradescope
X
Accessed as themselves in a Student role; can submit assignments on their own behalf, not the student's.
Mediasite
X
Accessed as themselves in a Student role; can submit assignments on their own behalf, not the student's.

Office 365
 

Peerceptiv
X
Accessed as themselves in a Student role; can submit assignments on their own behalf, not the student's. Ability to view other student submissions as part of the peer review process.

Perusall
X
Accessed as themselves in a Student role; can submit assignments on their own behalf Ability to view other student interaction. 
Zoom
X
Can watch linked Zoom recordings.
 

Student Observer Role Opt In Process

The Student Observer Role Opt In Process can be accessed through ORCA. This process will allow Instructors of Record that are assigned to teach course sections with students that require an individual to be assigned to observe them the ability to update their preferences for the specified term. 

Only the Instructor of Record has the ability to update their preferences for the process. The process is available for a 7-day window following the add/drop deadline of each term. During this window, instructors will have the ability to view students with their assigned observer and update their preferences. After the window is closed, the individuals will be enrolled in the course sections with the Student Observer role. After the window is closed, any changes will need to route through the Office for Academic Innovation Service Desk.
 


 

Opt In Communication Timeline

Below is the timeline of communication you will receive throughout the opt-in process that will vary depending on the preference you select. 
 

Course and User Observer Role Comparison

The table below illustrates the permissions provided by Canvas that determine how a Student Observer role can interact with course content, features, and tools. It compares the Student Observer role to 4 additional observer-type course roles at Texas A&M. The X in a cell indicates permissions the role has in a course. If the cell is blank, then the role does not have the respective permission.

 

Permissions

Student Observer

Visiting Student

Student Peer Mentor

Faculty Peer Evaluator 

Transcriber 

Role Type User Role Course Role Course Role Course Role Course Role
Announcements - view X X X X X
Assignments and Quizzes - add / edit / delete          
Assignment Submissions - view X
This includes Group assignment submissions
       
Assignment Submissions – submit           
Collaborations - create          
Course Content - view X X X X X
Course Content - add / edit / delete          
Course Files - add / edit / delete          
Discussions - view X X X X X
Discussions - create / post / modify          
Discussions - reply          
Grades - view X
Only grades of the assigned student
       
Groups - view          
Groups - add / edit / delete          
Inbox - view X
Only messages sent to Student Observer; no ability to view direct messages sent to assigned student. 
       
Inbox - reply          
Modules - view X X X X X
Modules - edit / duplicate          
Pages - view X X X X X
Pages - add / edit / delete          
People - view          
Peer Reviews - view X        
Course Available on User Dashboard X X X X X
  

How the Student Observer Role Supports Student Athletes' Academic Success

The Office for Academic Innovation has partnered with the Center for Student-Athlete Services to create a process to allow course instructors to opt in to the Observer program each semester. If course instructors choose to opt in, scholastic supervisors will be enrolled as Student Observers assigned to students in a course.
 
Download and Print the Canvas Observer Program for Texas A&M Student Athletes    Print icon
 

Communication

  • All communication sent to instructors and students is archived and can be found on Campus Messages.
  • Students will receive communication about this process directly from the Center for Student-Athletes. Course instructors will receive communication about the Observer program in the following ways:
    1. Email on the day the opt in window opens, typically on the last day of add/drop
    2. Reminder email 48 hours before the deadline closes
    3. Email confirmation with the selected preference
 

Permissions

Student Observers have read-only access to the following student-specific areas of course(s):
 

Permissions

Student Observer

Role Type User Role
Announcements - view X
Assignment Submissions - view X
This includes Group assignment submissions
Assignment Submissions – submit   
Course Content - view X
Discussions - view X
Discussions - create / post / modify  
Discussions - reply  
Grades - view X
Only grades of the assigned student
Grades - add / edit / delete  
Inbox - view X
Only messages sent to Student Observer; no ability to view direct messages sent to assigned student. 
Inbox - reply  
Modules - view X
Pages - view X
People - view  
Peer Reviews - view X
Course Available on User Dashboard X
  

Texas A&M Account Level Roles

Your School, Colleges', or Branch Campus’ Academic Liaison is a new resource with Texas A&M’s transition to Canvas. Each Dean has identified at least one Academic Liaison per School/College. This group is going through training and networking with each other to ensure they can be of assistance. Your Academic Liaison (or AL for short) can assist you troubleshooting issues with Canvas tools and features, applying online course design and facilitation best practices, and assisting with content import.

What an Academic Liaison Can Do for You


An Academic Liaison (AL) is typically a staff member in a School, College, or Branch Campus that regularly supports faculty and staff with academic technology and/or instructional design needs.

computer icon with yellow person wearing grad cap
Your School, College, or Branch Campus’ AL can help you in the following ways as you use Texas A&M's digital learning environment:
  • Troubleshoot issues with Canvas and third-party tools and features
  • Provide guidance with multimedia solutions using Mediasite, Google Drive, and Office 365
  • Keep you informed on key dates and annoucements related to the digital learning environment
  • Point you toward helpful resources

 


Permissions

Academic Liaisons

Analytics - view pages X
Announcements - view X
Assignments and Quizzes - add / edit / delete X
Conversations - send messages to entire class  
Conversations - send messages to individual course members  
Course Calendar - add / edit / delete events X
Course Content - add / edit / delete X
Courses - change visibility  
Courses - view usage reports X
Discussions - create X
Discussions - moderate  
Discussions - post X
Discussions - view X
Grades - edit X
Grades - select final grade for moderation X
Grades - view all grades X
Grades - view audit trail X
Groups - add / edit / delete X
Groups - view all student groups X
Item Banks - manage account  
LTI - add / edit / delete  
Learning Outcomes - add / edit / delete X
Learning Outcomes - import X
Manage Course Files - Add / Delete / Edit  
Manage Course Sections - Add / Delete / Edit  
Manage Courses - Add / Conclude / Delete / Reset  
Manage Courses - Publish X
Manage Pages - create / delete / update X
Outcome Mastery Scales - add / edit X
Outcome Proficiency Calculations - add/edit  
Question banks - view and link X
Rubrics - add / edit / delete  
Users - view list X
Users - view login IDs X
Users - view primary email address  

Becoming an Academic Liaison in Canvas

 


Step 1


Full Time Position responsibilities at TAMU include faculty support in the digital learning environment.


 

 


Step 2


Email of support from Dean’s Office (or equivalent).



 

 


Step 3


Complete training requirements: TrainTraq Course 11012, TrainTraq Course 3001, and TrainTraq Course 2113434.


 

 


Step 4


Complete Canvas-specific training requirements distributed by the Office for Academic Innovation.



 

 


Step 5


Gain access to School, College, or Branch Campus Canvas subaccount.




 

 


Step 6


Attend and actively engage in regularly-convened meetings of Academic Liaisons for Canvas updates, submit feedback, and network with others serving in the same role.

 

 

Texas A&M Mediasite Roles

Mediasite allows Course Instructors the ability to record, upload, share, and view video content in any Canvas course. The combined power of Canvas with Mediasite means all your videos have a central secure home benefiting from Mediasite’s in-video search, engagement tools, and viewership stats. To learn more about Mediasite, visit the tools page here. There are two roles within Mediasite: (1) Teacher and (2) Mediasite Liaison. Permissions are assigned to each type of role in Mediasite.
 

Texas A&M Mediasite Role Definitions and Permissions

 

Role

Definitions

MyMediasite Portal

Presentations - add, edit, delete

Presentations - edit permissions

Mediasite Management Portal*

Shared Folders within College/School -  add, edit

Teacher Instructor for a course X X X    
Mediasite Liaison Individual within the School/College who regularly supports faculty and staff with academic technology and/or instructional design needs X X X X X
*The Mediasite Management Portal cannot be accessed within the LMS.