For a newer computer there is normally no need to download anything. Canvas works great with Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. Feel free to choose from these web browsers. If any problems shoud arise, most likely you will need to update your browser.

Check if your browser needs to be updated

Instructure (the company behind Canvas) has a website to help you check your browser. Use this link: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66

Scroll down and look for the heading Is My Browser Up To Date. Directly under that heading you will find information telling if your browser is supported by Canvas.

You might have to update your computer

If you have an older computer, chances are it too needs an update

If you have an older MAC: Click the Apple - System Preferences - Software Update to check if there is an update. If there is an update there will also be an update of Safari included. You might also try to install Chrome or Firefox.
If you have an older Windows computer: Internet Explorer, which is the standard web broser on Windows 7, will not work with Canvas. Instead, both Firefox and Chrome can be installed on Windows 7. If you have an even older version of Windows, Chrome or Firefox might not be able to install - in that case, your computer might be too old for Canvas and it's functionality.
If you have a Chromebook: Chromebooks auto update. If you experience any problems, your Chromebook might need a restart to initiate the latest updates. More help from Google on how to check for updates.

PDF-reader and other software

Some courses contain course content that require a special application. For instance, it's very common that you need an application to open PDF files, such as the free software Adobe Acrobat Reader.

There are also courses where special software is required to complete the course, such as GIS programs, SPSS, CAD or image and design programs. In some cases, you can get these programs for free at school, in other cases you may have to pay a student license. Read the course description and ask your teacher if you are unsure of what software is needed in your course or how to get them.

NOTE! As a student at HKR, you can download Microsoft Office with Word, Excel and PowerPoint for free. It is available for both Windows and Mac. You download via your student mail. Help on how to download can be found on help.hkr.se under the menu item Epost - Student.

Mobile and tablet

If you want to use Canvas on your mobile or tablet, we recommend that you download the Canvas Student application for iOS or Android. It is also possible to use the same app you use for browsing the Internet.

Watch a clip about Canvas Student for Android

Watch a clip about Canvas Student for iOs

Adjust the app - hide locks and choose courses for the Dashboard

In Canvas Student app, you might be seeing locks on your courses. The locks indicate that grades are not final (all grades in Canvas are preliminary). The locks do not mean that the course is locked for you in any way!

To hide the locks, click menu navigation (1) and turn off Show Grades option (2).

To choose what courses you want displayed on the Dashboard, click the pen symbol [Android] or Edit/Ändra [iOs] (3)

For detailed instructions please see Canvas Student Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701

QUESTIONS? Contact us at student@hkr.se if you have any questions about Canvas. We need to know your name, the course you're inquiring about, and the specific issue you're facing within the course. For questions regarding the course content itself, please contact your teacher.