What should I do when I log into Canvas?
Do not click on any unusual links or perform unexpected tasks that are requested through a message or email. If you receive suspicious communication, do not take action, report it.
Check your courses to ensure things are the way you remember them. If you have concerns about data, report it. Please review the last two weeks for any anomalies. Re-shape your class schedule so more impactful things happen next week. Clearly communicate any schedule changes you are imposing for continuity of instruction.
Back up course data. During the outage, instructors came forward with concerns they could not access their gradebooks. This event serves as a reminder to all of us who teach to keep copies of information.
Keep UWM data such as assignments and grades in your UWM OneDrive account.
Extend deadlines for quizzes, assignments, and activities, so students have the opportunity to complete their work.
- Like instructors, students didn’t have access to Canvas files and notes. Further, students may have been trying to submit their assignments when Canvas access was disrupted.
For students, please download any materials you may need for studying, completing assignments or tasks, or other things that are important for teaching and learning.
- Contact the UWM Help Desk immediately if there are concerns about grades, assignments, or tasks.
Be vigilant. A data breach such as the Canvas one, can expose sensitive information such as names, email addresses, course enrollments, and institutional affiliations. Cybercriminals can use this information to craft highly convincing phishing emails that appear to come from legitimate sources like instructors, classmates, or the institution itself. These targeted attacks—often called “spear phishing”—may reference specific courses, assignments, or deadlines to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading harmful attachments, or sharing login credentials. As a result, both instructors and students should exercise increased vigilance after any reported breach.
Key precautions include:
- Verify email authenticity: Double-check the sender’s address and be cautious of messages urging urgent action or requesting sensitive information.
- Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Access Canvas and related services directly through official websites instead of clicking embedded links.
- Use strong, unique passwords: Update passwords regularly and avoid reusing them across platforms.
Why was access to Canvas restored?
The decision was made to re-open access to Canvas through all paths after
- CASL and the UWM Help Desk conducted checks; we have no reason to believe assignments or grades were manipulated in any way.
- We have reason to believe Instructure has taken the necessary steps to prevent another shutdown of Canvas due to this incident.
- We have no reason to believe data has been mishandled beyond that which was already reported.
Many are understandably shaken by what has taken place. Be kind to yourself, and to your students while everyone is re-adjusting. Some will not want to trust Canvas for now and that is okay. Be mindful of the discomfort and offer alternative paths for submitting information and collecting feedback.
What should I say to my students?
Reassure students that:
- Their grades and progress will not suffer
- Deadlines will be extended
- Additional accommodations will be made as needed
From a teaching and learning perspective, the best thing to tell your students is what you plan to do to loosen the stress valves. Students are worried their instructors won’t be lenient, and they must continue to work when how hasn’t been yet communicated, or that they will fall behind due to lack of access from the shutdown.
Was Zoom or Kaltura, or lecture recordings impacted?
The Canvas outage does not impact Zoom (for virtual lectures) and Kaltura Classroom (for in-person lectures). When necessary, Zoom classroom recordings can be added to your dashboard at wisconsin-edu.zoom.us; and Kaltura videos are available via mediaspace.wisconsin.edu. With the return of Canvas, that information should be available as it previously was.
Is my Canvas gradebook safe?
There is no indication of data loss. Canvas systems are designed with robust recovery, and backups and data can be rebuilt from multiple backup sources if needed.
What is the most important thing I should do right now?
- Reduce student anxiety
- Communicate clearly and frequently
- Provide flexibility and reassurance
- Continue instruction using available tools where possible
What tools can I use instead of Canvas?
- Email (Outlook / PAWS)
- OneDrive / SharePoint for file sharing
- Zoom for live sessions
- Microsoft Forms (for light, low-stakes activities only)
How do I email my students outside of Canvas?
How to email your students:
How can I share files outside of Canvas?
How to share files from OneDrive or SharePoint
How do I schedule a meeting in Zoom?
How to schedule a meeting in Zoom
How do I create a quiz in Microsoft Forms?
Create a quiz with Microsoft Forms. Don’t use Microsoft Forms for full quizzes. Use this as a self-paced activity for your students instead.
How do I access my course videos?
MediaSpace is a different website which uses the same video library as My Media in Canvas. Use My Media whenever possible. This information is provided as a backup.
- Kaltura – Mediaspace service overview – How to log into MediaSpace
- To share a video, click your name in the menu bar, then click My Media. Click the name of the video, then below the video, click the Share tab and copy the link.