Canvas: Your Guide to Success at Montclair State University

This article serves as a comprehensive guide to Canvas, Montclair State University's learning management system (LMS), and other essential technological resources available to students. Whether you're a freshman navigating campus for the first time or a seasoned student, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to effectively utilize these tools for academic success.

Understanding Your NetID

Your NetID is your Montclair State ID account, providing access to a wide range of technology-related services on campus. It is a crucial credential for accessing Canvas, NEST, and other online resources.

Canvas: Your Central Hub for Learning

Canvas is Montclair State University’s user-friendly learning management system (LMS), designed to foster seamless connections between instructors and students both inside and outside the classroom. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including:

Enrollment Management: Managing course enrollments efficiently.
Document Sharing: Easily sharing course materials and resources.
Assignment Submission: Streamlining the process of submitting assignments.
Grade Management: Providing a centralized location for grades and feedback.
Personalized Features: Offering tailored experiences for individual students.

Accessing Support for Canvas

If you encounter any issues or have questions about Canvas, you can access support by clicking on the “Help” tab within the application or by calling the IT Service Desk at 973-655-7971.

Key Features of Canvas

Notifications: Customize your notification preferences to stay informed about course events, deadlines, and announcements. Choose to receive notifications immediately, daily, weekly, or not at all, based on your preferences.
Calendar: Utilize the Calendar feature to effectively manage your course deadlines and stay organized. View all your assignments and events in one centralized location.
Syllabus: Access the course syllabus, which outlines learning outcomes, course requirements, grading metrics, class expectations and policies, office hours, and contact information. A comprehensive syllabus serves as a contract between the instructor and students.
Assignments and Gradebook: Take full advantage of the "Assignments" and "Gradebook" features for all assessed course elements.
University Information: Find important University protocols and links to resources regarding accessibility, academic honesty and integrity, campus closures, and student support services. These include the Center for Academic Success and Tutoring (CAST), Center for Writing Excellence, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Dean of Students, and University Career Services.
Course Schedule: Access a clear schedule that includes assignment due dates and indicates whether sessions will be online, face-to-face, synchronous, or asynchronous.

Browser Compatibility

For optimal compatibility with Canvas and its integrations, it is recommended to use the most up-to-date versions of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers.

Read also: Mastering Canvas at IC

Course Population

Courses you register for on NEST are automatically populated to your Canvas dashboard.

Canvas Updates

Canvas does not use version numbers; all customers are always on the current version. The platform receives vetted updates every three weeks.

Accessing Canvas

All faculty, staff, and students with Montclair State’s official NetID credentials have access to the Canvas system. All courses listed by the Registrar’s office in a given term at Montclair State have their corresponding course shells in Canvas. Canvas accounts for faculty, staff, and students are automatically provisioned. Any member of the Montclair State community will be able to log into Canvas between 4 to 8 hours after setting up their initial NetID password. Members of the Montclair State community are each granted one Canvas account.

Roles in Canvas

Teacher Role: Teachers are automatically added to Canvas courses based on teaching assignments entered in Banner by the Registrar’s office. Teachers have full access to their Canvas course and can add/edit content, view, create and edit assignments, quizzes, pages, discussions, etc.
Guest Teacher Role: Guest Teachers can be added by Teachers to a Canvas course. Guest Teachers have full access to a Canvas course and can add/edit content, view, create and edit assignments, quizzes, pages, discussions, etc.
TA Role: Teaching Assistants (TAs) are manually added to Canvas courses. TAs can be added by the course Teacher or a Canvas administrator.
Grader Role: Based on TA Graders are manually added to courses. This role is designed for an individual who needs to grade but does not need to add, edit, or delete content.
Librarian: The Librarian role allows faculty members to add their designated liaison librarian from the Sprague Library.

Course Conclusion

Faculty are able to switch between academic term defined dates and course specific dates they define. Courses by default become read only after the deadline for incomplete grade change passes. Final grades must be posted through NEST.

Canvas is configured to display preferred first names; however, preferred first name designations are configured through HR or the Dean of Students office.

Read also: Accessing Merrimack Canvas

NEST: Your Gateway to Student Services

NEST, which stands for Network Engagement and Student Transactions, serves as the primary web gateway for various student self-service functions. Through NEST, you can:

Register for courses.
Check your grades.
Update personal and emergency contact information.
Pay housing deposits.
Review financial aid information.
View upcoming summer and fall registration details.
Access important announcements.

RAVE: Staying Safe and Informed

RAVE is an app that provides text alerts about emergencies on campus and allows you to request assistance from Campus Police (RAVE Guardian).

Google Apps for Education

Google offers all University students unlimited storage on Google through its Google Apps for Education Program.

Wireless Internet Access

You must register all devices that require wireless internet access (i.e. laptops, desktops, tablets, gaming devices, or smartphones) by using your NetID and password.

Printing Services (PaperCut)

Montclair State University provides each undergraduate student with virtual dollars to print in the public computing labs or from personal devices (smartphone, laptop, tablets, etc.). This is managed through a print management system called PaperCut.

Read also: Canvas: Deleting Quiz Attempts

Computer Labs and Laptop Lending

There are five computer labs across campus available to students. Additionally, you can borrow state-of-the-art laptops loaded with course software from the laptop lending labs located on the first floor of Sprague Library or the fifth floor of University Hall. Laptop loans are for four (4) hours, and you must have a valid Montclair State ID card to borrow. A limited amount of iPads are also available for loan on the fifth floor of University Hall (UN).

Additional Resources for Success

Beyond Canvas and the core technological tools, Montclair State University offers a range of resources to support your academic journey and overall well-being.

Navigating Montclair State University

Whether you’re a freshman, a transfer student, or a Montclair native, it can be overwhelming getting to know a new campus, especially seeing the town in a new light.

Montclair: The "Urban Suburb"

Known as the ‘urban suburb’ in Essex County, Montclair has been named one of the best places to live, according to Niche. Montclair also has been and is still currently home to many famous people like cosmetics guru Bobbi Brown, TV personality Stephen Colbert, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and more.

Transportation and Parking

Montclair is largely known as a commuter school and as a result, there are tons of drivers looking for the closest parking spot every day. There are different parking permits and all are priced differently. Another option is to park at CarParc Diem, which is pretty close to campus. It should be noted that because there are so many students arriving at the same time for classes, it might be difficult to find parking at CarParc. Montclair State does have many lines of public transportation with bus stops and train locations to facilitate exploring the greater North Jersey and NYC area. The MSU bus stop is located on College Avenue, in front of the Red Hawk Deck.

Red Hawk Dollars

Red Hawk Dollars is a pre-paid debit program. Participation is optional and through students’ University ID cards, they can buy items like books, food, and clothing. It is accepted at the University Bookstore, University Dining Services, Campus Vending Machines, select off-campus merchants, and more.

Employment Opportunities

Montclair State offers two employment programs: the federal work-study and student assistant. The federal work-study is a federally supported employment program for students who are eligible based on their FAFSA. MSU has a career services management system called Hire A Red Hawk which students can use to find positions to fit the bill, whether it be an internship, seasonal employment, part- or full-time work.

Textbook Tips

Many freshmen buy the textbook before the first day of class but MG tip: don’t, unless you will be using it for years to come because of your major, or a course requirement. Renting a book or looking for a free version of it online goes a long way. Some professors don’t require a specific textbook because they know how expensive these books are. Chegg is a student favorite for buying, selling, and renting books.

Dining Options

Yes, we all love ramen; it’s quick, easy, and cost-efficient. MSU has some great spots right on campus. A few of the many options on-campus are Jersey Mike’s, Panera Bread, Au Bon Pain, and Panda Express. Once the Red Hawk Diner finally re-opens, that will be another option. For residents who want to cook, some nearby grocery stores are Stop & Shop, ACME, Shoprite, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Target.

Get Involved

As corny as it may sound and you’ve probably heard it already but here it is again - get involved. MSU has so many clubs and organizations to offer, it’s a great way to keep up with your interests outside of your coursework. Many of these organizations are great networking opportunities. Even as a commuter, it is still possible to join these clubs. As a commuter, students can join and participate in a few organizations, one of them being Commuter Life where participants are paired with a commuter mentor. There is also Feliciano Women in Business, Account Society, Marketing Club, LASO, Active Minds, Montclair State Dietetics Organization, Pre-Law society, and much more.

Postal Services

MSU’s postal service is located in the University Facilities Building at 147 Clove Road in Little Falls (the long building in Lot 60).

Accessibility at Montclair State University

The University is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have an opportunity equal to that of their non-disabled peers to participate in the University’s programs, benefits, and services. The Montclair State University Disability Accessibility Policy states that “all electronic content that is generally available to University employees, students, applicants, or the general public must be available to those with disabilities such that they are able to experience a similar experience or outcome.” All content in Canvas is expected to be accessible and in line with this policy. Instructure is committed to ensuring its products are inclusive and meet the diverse accessibility needs of our users. Canvas LMS strives for WCAG 2.1 Level A/AA and Section 508 conformance. Regular testing (both internal and by a third party) is conducted to identify conformance issues, with processes in place for timely remediation of accessibility issues that are identified.

Responsible Computing

Montclair State University Guidelines for Responsible Computing are applicable to the use of Canvas.

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