Canvas Roles and How to Add People

This guide explains the different roles available in Canvas and their permissions, so you can choose the correct role when adding people to your course. At the end, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for adding users.

Role Descriptions

Instructor Roles

• Teacher (Instructor)
  Full access to all course features.
  IMPORTANT: Because of FERPA concerns, do NOT use this role for students; use Teacher Access – Student Leadership instead.

• Teacher Reviewer
  Can view everything in the course, but cannot edit.

• Teacher – Read Only (No Student Data)
  Can view course content only.

  • Cannot edit content.
  • Cannot see student submissions, grades, or the People page.

• Teacher Access – Student Leadership
  Same as Teacher, but cannot see SIS ID numbers (avoids FERPA/PII issues).

Content Roles

• Designer
  Can add, edit, and delete content.
  • Cannot view student grades or submissions.

TA Roles

• TA Grader
  Can add, edit, and delete content and access grades and student submissions.

• TA
  Can add, edit, and delete content.

  • Cannot access grades or student submissions.

Grading Roles

• Grader
  Can view, update, and access student grades and submissions.

  • Cannot edit course content or interact with students.

• Facilitator
  Supports grading and student interaction.

  • Can enter and edit grades.
  • Can communicate with students (announcements, discussions).
  • Cannot add or edit course content.

Viewing Roles

• Observer
  Can view content available to students.

  • Cannot view submissions, grades, or quiz questions.
  • Cannot edit content.
    Note: The People tab shows “Observing: nobody." This is normal.

• Mentor
  Same as Observer plus:

  • Create announcements.
  • Email students.
  • Create/reply to discussions.
  • View student group pages.
  • Participate in collaborations.
    Note: The People tab shows “Observing: nobody.” Two Mentor options may appear; they are identical.

Special Access Roles

• Interpreter Pre-Semester / Interpreter Semester
  Can access course material before start date.

  • Cannot interact with course or view student data.

• Course Librarian – Research
  Can add content and interact with students.

  • Cannot access grades.

• Course Librarian – E-Reserves
  Can add or copy content.

  • Cannot interact with students or view course data.

Student Role

• Student
  Can view content and participate in assignments and communications.
  Note: Teachers cannot add students to roster courses—contact Tiffany Lewis (lewistg@uwec.edu) for assistance.

Add People in Canvas

1. Go to your course in Canvas.
2. Select People from the course navigation menu.
3. Click + People (top right).
4. Enter the person’s UWEC email address.
5. Choose the Role from the drop-down list:
   • Teacher, TA, Designer, Observer, etc.
6. Select the Section (if applicable).
7. Click Next, then Add Users.

Important Notes

• You cannot manually add students to roster courses; contact Tiffany Lewis (lewistg@uwec.edu) for assistance.
• Use Teacher Access – Student Leadership for students, not Teacher.
• If you see duplicate roles (e.g., Mentor), they function the same.