Learning Management System
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Status Alerts

Check official status pages for tools like Canvas and Microsoft 365 before troubleshooting to instantly verify whether an issue is a broader platform outage.

TAMU IT Alerts

Explore for more information related to university system outages or degradation. You are able to subscribe to receive status notifications.

Instructure Service Status

Explore for more information related to Instructure/Canvas-specific outages or degradation

Resources

Learning Tools/Pedagogical Use Cases

This document highlights centrally-supported/-funded learning tools that can be accessed directly using Texas A&M University credentials, enabling instructors and students to continue using essential learning platforms even when Canvas is unavailable.

TAMU Simple Syllabus Website

Access approved course syllabi through the web portal outside of Canvas.

Canvas is down - how do I...

Communicate with my students?

TAMUDirect

This self-service tool is available to faculty to create class email lists to send messages based on current course rosters and university organization information.

Howdy

Navigate to your course roster in Howdy and select the appropriate email address. Note: the older version of Howdy had the ability to select multiple students, but the new version does not at this time and it can only be used for individual student communication at this time.

Teams

Set up a class in Teams for a space to share information and resources. Click "Join or Create Team" and then select the class template. You can then add students as members. Note: you would likely need to email students the steps for downloading and accessing the Team as some may not currently use the tool. 

Recommendations

A cross-functional university task force is developing additional recommendations, but some initial items to consider include:
  1. Maintaining copies of all course materials outside of Canvas that could be shared with students through other means
  2. Subscribing to IT Alerts to ensure that you are aware of any outages or degradation
  3. Considering alternative ways to assess students, such as in-person or online bubble sheets through Gradescope or file submissions through Google Drive
  4. Exploring ways to engage students using university-provided enterprise tools outside of Canvas, such as Perusall, Peerceptiv, Poll Everywhere, Panopto, and iClicker. Explore the Learning Tools document for additional information on accessing outside of Canvas.