What is the difference between Canvas and Infinite Campus?

Infinite Campus is a student information system (SIS). It's where student transcripts, demographics, class schedules, report cards, and current overall course grades are housed.

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) that is better suited for giving parents access to assignment details (due dates, requirements, descriptions, etc.), course resources, and student submissions. For assignments collected through Canvas, parents can view some student submissions and see the date and time assignments are submitted.

Canvas

Learning Management System

  • Assignments (due dates, instructions, requirements, etc.)
  • Course resources
  • Class announcements
  • Learning tools
  • Class discussions
  • Course notifications (new assignments, due dates, submissions, etc.)

Infinite Campus

Student Information System

  • Attendance
  • Course grades
  • Messages
  • Assignment scores
  • Transcripts
  • Report Cards

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a Learning Management system (LMS) that helps simplify teaching and learning by connecting all the digital tools that teachers, students and parents use into one place.

What does Canvas do for parents?

Canvas gives parents an everyday overview of their student's learning interactions, including calendars, assignments, student submissions, and class resources. As a parent, not only will you be able to see assignment details like due date, instructions, and requirements, but you can also customize your notifications so you will be alerted when new assignments are posted. Please note that Canvas does not standardize the way teachers choose to organize their curriculums. Course designs and features will vary from one course and/or grade level to the next.

Where do I go to see my students' overall course grade?

While parents may see some individual assignment grades in Canvas, they should still check Infinite Campus to view overall course grades because it's the platform we use to house historical grading data, report cards, and student achievement data that must be reported to the state. That's why Infinite Campus is the place to look for overall course grades.

Can parents view multiple students with one parent account?

Yes. You will see "Observing" under account settings. Select it and choose the option to add another child. Each student you add will require a unique pairing code.

What does "Observer" mean?

"Observer" is the title Canvas gives to parents or other authorized persons who have access to view a course but are not active participants in the course.

How can parents create a Canvas account?

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.