Online Learning

Attend a Canvas & Zoom orientation! These sessions will use SWC Zoom and will last 60 minutes.

• On-campus orientations:  See the Canvas & Zoom Student Orientations link below for dates and times--no registration needed!
• Online sessions: Simply click on the Zoom link provided to join the training several minutes before the scheduled start time: OLC Zoom Room.

  • View the SWC Zoom Participant Guide (PDF) for assistance with Zoom.

  • To arrange live captioning, email onlinelearning@swccd.edu five business days in advance of the session you plan to attend.

  • If you prefer to call in to the meeting via phone (audio only), please note there is a toll charge:
    +1 669 900 6833 (US toll) or +1 646 876 9923 (US toll)  |  Meeting ID: 489 918 9875

Canvas & Zoom Student Orientations  | Summer 2025

Southwestern College has recorded a recent Canvas Student Orientation so students who aren't able to attend a scheduled orientation can still access the information presented at the session. You'll learn about using Zoom for your course meetings, more about working online when taking courses, and information about how to access Canvas and help resources. View the recorded Canvas Student Orientation.

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If you aren't able to attend a live orientation, you can watch a video tour of a sample Canvas course at any time during the term to get familiar with the system. Choose either English or Spanish version below.

           

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    Save a copy of this helpful Canvas Quick Reference Student Guide to help you get started with Canvas!

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Make Canvas Work for You!

Canvas Feature	Why This Startup Setting Is Super Helpful
User Settings & Profile Picture	Learn how to update your Canvas settings, such as adding a forwarding email or cell phone number to receive notifications on your mobile device and adding your profile picture.
Notifications	Update your Canvas notifications to alert you when: a course announcement has been made in Canvas your instructor has messaged you in Canvas due dates change in your Canvas course your Canvas work has been graded your instructor has provided feedback to you in Canvas and more!
Messaging	Canvas has an internal messaging system that allows instructors and students in a Canvas course to communicate with one another. The name of this messaging system has changed over the years from Conversations to Inbox. Regardless of the name, it's a great idea to get familiar with the useful Canvas messaging system.
Calendar	Knowing when your Canvas course activities are due is a key part of being a successful student. Plan to check your Canvas Calendar often. Or, better yet, consider syncing your Canvas Calendar to your own personal online calendar.
Canvas Student App	Did you know there's a free Canvas mobile app? It works on both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to stay connected to your course on the go. The Canvas Student App is super helpful in that you can easily access Canvas announcements and Inbox messages, review course content, and check grades. Download the Canvas Student App from your online app store.
Sync Canvas to Your SWC Google Drive Account	As a SWC student, you get free access to Google's G Suite (formerly known as Google Apps)! This includes cloud-based programs like Google Docs, Sheets and Slides, not to mention free Google Drive storage for all of your school work. The best part? You can link your SWC Google Drive with Canvas so you can easily submit school work to your instructor. NOTE: The MySWC Google Drive is separate from personal Google Drive and Gmail account info; Canvas will only link to your MySWC Google Drive account. And one more thing: only you can see what's in your MySWC Google Drive account. If you use Google Drive to submit course work, your instructor will only see the file you submit to them, not your entire Google Drive.

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