Canvas - Navigation

How do I use the Global Navigation Menu as an observer?  

The Global Navigation Menu is located on the left side of every page in Canvas. Global Navigation links provide quick access to frequently used Canvas features. These links provide access to all your observed courses collectively. Default links include User Account, Dashboard, Courses, Calendar, Inbox, and the Help menu.

Depending on your student's school account settings, other links may appear in the Global Navigation Menu.

View Account

To view your user information, click the Account link [1]. A menu will expand and display links to access your notification preferences, personal files, user settings, and

The Dashboard

[To view your courses, click the  Courses  link [1]. The Courses menu displays your favorite courses. If no courses are selected as favorites, the course list display all current courses. If a course includes term dates, the name of the term displays as part of the course listing.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-Dashboard-as-an-observer/ta-p/550)

To view a course, click the name of the course [2]. To

To

[To view your Inbox, click the  Inbox  link. The Inbox is the Canvas messaging system where you can communicate with other users in your courses. The number of new messages are shown as part of the Inbox icon.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-Calendar-as-an-observer/ta-p/556)

[To view your recent Canvas course page view history, click the  History  link. Recent History displays up to three weeks of your Canvas course page view history.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-Calendar-as-an-observer/ta-p/556)

To[get help with Canvas, click the  Help  link [1]. Select the help option that is relevant to your needs [2].

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-get-help-with-Canvas-as-an-observer/ta-p/568)

[ Note:  Depending on your student's school settings, the Help menu may display different options.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-get-help-with-Canvas-as-an-observer/ta-p/568)

[To expand or collapse the Global Navigation Menu, click the  arrow  icon.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-get-help-with-Canvas-as-an-observer/ta-p/568)

[The Global Navigation Menu will be automatically collapsed for tablet screens.

](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Observer-Guide/How-do-I-get-help-with-Canvas-as-an-observer/ta-p/568)