Menu

Teaching with Technology

This page will provide basic information about Canvas, Mt. SAC's Learning Management System (LMS), and other teaching technology. Detailed information can be found in our Canvas Faculty Center.

Join the Mt. SAC Canvas Faculty Center!

Canvas

Canvas is the system-wide LMS for California Community Colleges. All Mt. SAC instructors have access to Canvas. Every CRN course receives an empty Canvas course shell ready to be customized. Students love Canvas and use it to manage their courses and academic life. You make it easier by providing course content, assignments, grades, feedback, communications, and calendar items all in one place. We encourage instructors of every modality (in person, hybrid, online synchronous, and online asynchronous) to use Canvas.

    • Log into Canvas

      2 Ways to Log into Canvas

      1. Mt. SAC Portal: Go to www.mtsac.edu/portal. You will be directed to Mt. SAC's Single Sign-On (SSO) page. Enter your username and password. Once signed in, go to the Canvas tab, and click the Log into Mt. SAC Canvas button. 
      2. Mt. SAC Canvas: Log in directly to Mt. SAC's instance of Canvas, mtsac.instructure.com. You will be directed to Mt. SAC's SSO page. Enter your username and password.

      Important

      • Portal Access: Mt. SAC portal/SSO access is required to log into Canvas. If you cannot access the portal, contact the Mt. SAC IT HelpDesk at (909) 274-4357 (HELP), or ext. 4357 from an on-campus phone. 
      • Compatible Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge work best with Canvas. Keep your browser and computer up-to-date for the best experience. Canvas is NOT compatible with Internet Explorer.

      Tips

      • Only Click Once: After clicking "Continue" on the SSO sign in page, it can take several seconds for the page to load. Do NOT click "Continue" again. Wait at least 15 seconds before revisiting the SSO page and trying again.

      • 3 Banner tips to avoid login errors: IT shares three tips if you receive an "Authentication Error." (Banner is the system for managing student and employee records and is often synonymously used with the Mt. SAC Portal because Banner records sync to the portal.)

    • Learn Canvas

      For You

      For Your Students

    • Prep Your Course in Canvas

      Course Access

      About two months before each term, each CRN course receives a Canvas course shell. Prior to that time, you may work in a Canvas Sandbox to prep your course. A sandbox is a Canvas course with no enrollment used for testing or course design. You can then copy your sandbox content to your CRN course(s) once available.

      Request a Canvas Sandbox

      Course Prep Details

      For more information about prepping your course in Canvas, visit the Mt. SAC Canvas Faculty Center (Canvas login required) or resources by the Online Network of Educators (@ONE):

      Canvas @ Mt. SAC

      Canvas & Course Design

      Canvas Faculty Center Home

      Online Network of Educators (@ONE)

      Can't Access Your Course?

      If you do not see your course in Canvas about 60 days prior to the term, contact the Mt. SAC IT HelpDesk:

    • Canvas Resources & Support

      For You

      • Canvas Faculty Center: faculty resource by FCLT with Canvas info. specific to Mt. SAC, course design recommendations, apps and tools to consider, and more!
      • Canvas Instructor Guides & Video Guides: written and video tutorials
      • Canvas Blue Question Mark: When logged into Canvas, click the blue question mark in the lower right corner for guides related to wherever you are in Canvas.
      • Canvas Support 24/7 Faculty Hotline: 1 (833) 345-2892
      • Canvas Support 24/7 Live Chat: Online real-time chat with a Canvas representative

      For Your Students

      • Mountie Student Hub: a student hub for Mt. SAC student resources. ALL students are enrolled in the Mountie Student Hub.
      • Canvas Student Guides & Video Guides: written and video tutorials
      • Canvas Blue Question Mark: When logged into Canvas, students may also click the blue question mark in the lower right corner for guides related to wherever they are in Canvas.
      • Canvas Support 24/7 Live Chat: Online real-time chat with a Canvas representative (Students do NOT have a Canvas Support Hotline.)

      For All

      Sometimes Canvas or components in Canvas go down, especially during peak times in the term when the system is overloaded. Click the link below to check if Canvas is down:

      Canvas Status

More Tools & Apps

There are an ever-growing number of educational technology options available to instructors. We've curated a list of Tools & Apps available in Canvas, many of which have been adopted to support DEISAA teaching practices and to help bridge equity gaps. Click the button below to learn more about these options:

Explore Tools & Apps