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Technology Resources

Refer to the below resources for help downloading, setting up, and navigating the programs you will use as a student. For the best experience in your online courses, we recommend you:

Have a minimum of two browsers installed on your computer. Occasionally, browsers encounter problems with Canvas features. Browser updates and incompatibilities often cause these problems. The easiest way to troubleshoot any Canvas problem is to do the same action in a different browser. Switching browsers may be all you need to do to solve the problem. We recommend you have the two following browsers installed on your computer:

Google Chrome (preferred)
Firefox
Safari (for Mac) should be used cautiously. Sometimes, images appear 'broken' unless you right-click on them to download them.

Check your Computer Specifications to ensure your computer meets the requirements for Canvas.

Consider obtaining a webcam with recording features and a headset with a microphone, as some courses may require virtual meetings or self-recorded video uploads.

Canvas Canvas Mobile apps can also be used with caution. Interactive content videos are not shown with the full features, so they are best viewed on a computer or tablet.

Additionally, be aware that this course may include materials of large file sizes, such as high-resolution images, videos, or downloadable documents. These files are essential for your learning experience but may require a significant amount of data and time to download, especially if you have a slower internet connection. To ensure smooth access to these resources, we recommend the following:

Internet Connection: Use a stable and preferably high-speed internet connection to download files efficiently.

Storage Space: Ensure you have adequate storage space on your device if you plan to download and keep these files locally.

Patience: Some files may take longer to download. Please be patient, especially during peak internet usage times.

If you have a technical problem that is not addressed below, check out the Digital Learning Help Desk or contact them at:

classhelp@utah.edu
801-581-6112 (x2) (M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm MST)

Canvas

Canvas Student Guides | Getting Started With Canvas

Refer to the Canvas Student Guides above for information about navigating Canvas or changing your preferences. We recommend you:

Set your time zone to match your location so you never miss a deadline or have the best experience in your online courses.
Turn on email notifications to be alerted of announcements, messages, grade postings, and other important course communications.
Update your Canvas calendar to include personal commitments in addition to course assignments so you can plan accordingly.

Immersive Reader is a learning tool used in Canvas with key features including "read text out loud," "break it into syllables," and "increase spacing between lines and letters." Immersive Reader is available when viewing pages, assignments, course home pages, and syllabus content in a Canvas course. These formats often include text, video, links to files, and other content, which ensures that learners can consume and comprehend those resources regardless of their reading ability.

Alternative Formats supported by Anthology Ally provide greater opportunities for everyone to access the information they need in the way they need or want it. Ally creates alternative formats of the original content instructors add to their courses. These formats are made available with the original file so everything is in one convenient location.

Dyslexia Friendly Font: Canvas has a built-in feature to help make reading easier for students with dyslexia. You can turn on a special font designed to improve readability—it's quick and easy to enable! This small change can make a big difference in your reading experience. Give it a try and see what works best for you!

Here’s how to turn it on:

Go to User Settings
Click your Account link in the Global Navigation menu, then select Settings.
Find the Toggle
Look for the “Dyslexia-Friendly Font” option in your settings.
Switch it On
Click the toggle to enable the font—Canvas will update to use a more accessible typeface.

Toggle on and off by clicking your Account link in the Global Navigation window and toggling the slider 'Use a Dyslexia Friendly Font'

Virtual /meetings

Zoom (Getting Started With Zoom | Download and install Zoom)

Zoom is the preferred virtual meeting tool and a common choice for instructors for office/student hours (one-on-one help). You can share screens, record conversations, and interact with others from a computer, phone, or tablet. Usually, you will access Zoom meetings from Canvas via a link set up by your instructor. It requires use of a webcam and microphone.

Microsoft Teams (Download and install the Teams app)

Microsoft Teams is a message board, chat, and virtual meeting tool. It is used in some classes to enable collaborative group work and idea sharing. You can create team channels for class groups, hold video meetings, and have live chats and share files.

Interactive Video (Kaltura & PlayPosit)

Kaltura (Access the learner guides for Kaltura)

Kaltura is a University-supported video recording tool. It can be used to create lectures, record your screen, or manage your video library inside of Canvas.
Requires use of a webcam and microphone.
Media Space or 'My Media' is where Kaltura stores your video. Cloud recordings from Zoom will appear in 'My Media'

Uploading and Embedding Media to My Media in Kaltura

If you need help uploading media to Kaltura and embedding this media to assignments or discussions, refer to the specific learner guides below.

PlayPosit (Access the learner guides for PlayPosit)

PlayPosit is an interactive video tool that we use to help keep learners engaged with videos and other visual materials. Your instructor may use this tool in course videos to ask you reflective questions or test your knowledge. You may also be required to record and upload your own videos to PlayPosit.
It may require a webcam and microphone.

User Tip:

To see the Timestamp of the video as you are watching, you need to toggle ON the 'Sidezone'.

Click 'Sidezone' icon to display (or toggle on) the left information bar.
To return back to full-screen viewing, close the 'Review/Notes/Transcript' area by clicking the 'X' in the upper right-hand corner
The timestamp will remain on your display until you toggle back OFF the 'Sidezone'.

See the PlayPosit Learner Experience in an LMS Support Page for more information.

Testing and Proctoring

ExamSoft (Access user support)

Some courses use ExamSoft, a test-proctoring service, to administer exams. Your instructor will notify you if this will be used in your course and tell you how to create an account.

updated August 14, 2025