How Online Learning Works

Students will access their course materials online via Canvas. Canvas is the university-wide, cloud-based course delivery system that provides a digital portal for instructors to manage materials distribution, student assignments and course calendar, communications, grading, and other aspects of instruction for their courses completely online.

You Can Do This

STB courses are designed with your busy schedule in mind, providing the flexibility you need to study at the times most convenient to you. Click the button below to explore a sample online course on your own, or use the toggles to learn more about each piece of the online course. There are also a number of tutorials for students and faculty located on the Canvas dashboard.

The course homepage includes a short welcome message from the instructor, along with a course overview.

The navigation bars are specially formatted to make accessing your needs simple.

From here, you can view the Modules section, which includes the course lectures, homework, and other important information; access the StudyMate, a special tool to help take your course notes and transfer them into study guides; utilize the Webex to schedule classroom collaborations or attend virtual meetings and office hours; and take Quizzes and tests assigned for the course.

The red navigation bar includes a customizable Dashboard to help you access your needs quickly; a list of the Courses you are currently enrolled in, a Calendar to help identify important due dates; your Inbox for messages from your instructors; a History so you never lose your place; and a Studio so you can easily record, edit, and upload videos to your coursework.

The Modules in Canvas are organized by unit and other important information. From coursework to homework to study guides, it is in here you will find everything you need to be successful with your course.

The Webex tool lets you attend virtual meetings and office hours, and provides you the opportunity to schedule classroom collaboration opportunities.

Quizzes and exams can be found in the Quizzes section of Canvas. Each quiz includes a deadline and instructions to follow while taking the quiz.

  • Canvas is a university-wide system – it is not maintained by the STB program. If problems arise, contact solution@iastate.edu. Also, inform
    your instructor of any problems immediately.
  • Log-in Page for Canvas: www.canvas.iastate.edu. You may also access Canvas from the very top, right-hand side of this webpage, listed under the “Sign-ons” drop-down menu.

Successful Online Learning:

Online learning can take on many different forms. It is important you are prepared to put in the time to be successful in your online graduate courses.
Below are some tips to making sure your online course experience goes as smoothly as possible.