How can an institution's Canvas user observe her child as a student?

[cogbilld]

I work for the ISD and have a canvas accoutn through the ISD.  How can I see my daughter's canvas accoutn without creating a new parent account? I do not see the pairing button to be an observer. thank you  

[KristinL · Accepted solution]

Hi  @cogbilld ‌ ~

This is a great question!

I would recommend having two separate accounts (one for teaching, one for parenting!), for your roles in Canvas. You can use your official school email for your teacher account, and you can use a personal email for your observer account. The most common feedback I've heard from colleagues working with their own children is that they can separate work life from home life a lot easier. They can sign in to Canvas Teacher and Canvas Parent using the appropriate login credentials and set notifications in a way that works best for them and their family!

If you'd prefer to have your courses and your daughter's courses in the same place, there is a way to do it, but it's hidden. I'll send you the workaround in a private message because it can also be used by students to observe other students.

[HEB_Jeff]

I'm an Instructional Technology Specialist for my school district and would love to see the solution as well.  We've had this question a couple of times...  Could you please send this to me too?  Thanks in advance for your help!  

[KristinL]

Hi @HEB_Jeff - This is no longer anything we send via messages. Please connect with your Canvas Administrator who can work with your account's CSM.

[hudginsa]

It would be useful to ensure you are within the FERPA guidelines. You don't indicate which type of institution you and your daughter are at, but if it's university level, it would be a Federal Education Rights Privacy Act violation if your daughter hasn't expressly authorized your access to her educational records. 

[jordankennedy]

Can I have the work around to? I checked it doesn't violate FERPA for me. - jordan.kennedy@csddocs.org