Using Canvas on an iPad

In today's world it's more important than ever to stay connected while on the go. Tablets, such as iPads, are a great way to bring your internet connect with you wherever you go - they're more portable than a laptop, but have a larger screen than a smartphone.  Many faculty are also starting to experiment with using iPads in the classroom. One of our earlier blog entries featured information and resources about the educational use of iPads.

If you're using an iPad and want to use it to access Canvas when you're away from your computer, or if you have been trying to use Canvas through the iPad's Safari browser and are experiencing some difficulties, there are a couple apps designed to help you. The mobile Safari web browser has problems displaying some times of websites, including Canvas.  If you've tried to use Canvas in Safari you may have experienced some issues with scrolling, for example.  We generally recommend using the Google Chrome browser on iPads and iPhones because it works better with a wider variety of websites than Safari, but when it comes to Canvas, you will have the best experience on your iPad using the apps.

Canvas for iOS

The Canvas app for iOS allows you to view your activity stream and "to do" list; access your inbox; view the schedule, discussions, other parts of your Canvas classroom; and access grades.  The app doesn't provide the same level of access as the full version in your web browser, but it's a good tool to quickly access your course on the go.

SpeedGrader for iOS

The SpeedGrader app is a great tool for grading on the go.  It allows you to use the Canvas SpeedGrader app from your iPad and eliminates the problems you would most likely encounter when using Canvas in Safari.

If you happen to be an Android user, there is a Canvas app for Android that just came out in January.  All of these apps will make your life easier if you're trying to access Canvas while away from your computer.  Give them a try and let us know what you think.