# Students ## expand\_more ## Canvas for Students The instructional technology team loves to hear from students and are here to support any issues that arise with your experience with Canvas. For troubleshooting, please check out the FAQ! Please also always feel free also to revisit the [Canvas section of your New Student Onboarding site](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/173046/pages/canvas-guide-tips-and-tools?module_item_id=2128235). (Access for current students only.) To successfully complete courses at HGSE, it is important to have either a laptop or a desktop computer equipped with a reliable internet connection, as well as the most up to date version of our web browser recommendations: [Edge](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge?form=MA13M0), [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/), or [Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/). ### Browser Settings We recommend utilizing the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. If you run into trouble with your browser, try adjusting the following settings: - Disable all ad-blockers from operating on harvard.edu URLs. - Enable third-party cookies in your browser on harvard.edu URLs. - Enable JavaScript in your browser. - Allow pop-ups on harvard.edu URLs. If you need assistance with these settings, please check your browser's support pages or contact [IT\_OneStop@gse.harvard.edu](mailto:IT_OneStop@gse.harvard.edu). ### Troubleshooting You can also try a few of these quick fixes that are usually the source of most issues: - [Clear your browser's cache.](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=e934a5cf6fc9a204a3a79b9eae3ee4bf) - Make sure the browser you are using is updated to the most current version. - Check your browser to make sure both JavaScript and cookies are enabled. - Disable any privacy-blocking apps or extensions in your browser. Open all sections Close all sections ### I'm having problems using the Library Reserves tool (LRT) - how can I get help? expand\_more A useful guide for using the LRT can be found on your Gutman Library Tutorial Repository Canvas site: [Using Library Reserves at HGSE: Gutman Library Tutorial Repository 2025-26](https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/158289/pages/using-library-reserves-at-hgse?module_item_id=1915935) On there you will find links for further help and support, if your question isn't addressed on the page. ### What do I do if I get "The operation either timed out or was not allowed" when accessing an app with my HarvardKey? expand\_more This is because you have not set up your Okta identity verification after claiming your HarvardKey. The instructions to do this are here: [Getting Started with Okta identity verification | HUIT](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=dcf475cc47331e5010fc7a04716d4393) [Set up Okta identity verification for new HarvardKey users | HUIT](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=3ead366f2b6eaed048cafa95e391bf91) ### How do I enable third-party cookies? expand\_more ## **How do I enable Third-Party Cookies?** ### **Google Chrome** 1. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper-right and select **Settings**. 2. Go to **Privacy and security** on the left. 3. Click **Third-party cookies** (or, in some versions, **Cookies and other site data**). 4. Select **Allow third-party cookies**. --- ### **Mozilla Firefox** 1. Click the menu button (☰) and select **Settings**. 2. Click **Privacy & Security** on the left. 3. Under **Enhanced Tracking Protection**, select **Custom**. 4. Make sure the **Cookies** box is **not checked** (or set it to block only "Cross-site tracking cookies"). - For broadest compatibility, use **Standard** protection which allows most third-party cookies. --- ### **Microsoft Edge** 1. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) and select **Settings**. 2. Go to **Cookies and site permissions** on the sidebar. 3. Click **Manage and delete cookies and site data**. 4. Ensure **Block third-party cookies** is **turned off**. --- ### **Safari (Mac)** 1. Open Safari. Go to **Safari > Settings** (or **Preferences**). 2. Select the **Privacy** tab. 3. Make sure **Block all cookies** is **NOT** checked. 4. Also, for best compatibility, uncheck **Prevent cross-site tracking** (this is what blocks most third-party cookies). - Note: In newer Safari versions, cross-site tracking/third-party cookies are always disabled for privacy, and you may not be able to fully enable them. ### Do I lose access to Canvas sites after graduation? expand\_more Please check out our page on your status [after graduation](https://canvas.gse.harvard.edu/after-graduation). ### Can I save or download lecture videos? expand\_more Unfortunately, due to the [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)](http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/students.html) current students and alumni are unable to download or save lecture videos. However, current students and alumni who are, or were members of a course with lecture videos, will have continued *view-only* access for up to 18 months after the course ends, at which point the videos are permanently removed. ### How do I access course readings? expand\_more ## Internal Students Upon enrollment in an HGSE course, Harvard/HGSE students automatically have access to digital content created and selected specifically for their HGSE courses in Canvas. Once logged into an HGSE course in Canvas, locate "Library Reserves" in the left navigation pane. Once you open "Library Reserves" you will see one list comprising all types of content specifically for your course to include locally digitized and licensed book chapter pdfs, links to library subscription e-journals, e-books, databases, print books on course reserve, links to external web content, videos, and more. ## External Students Students from outside of Harvard cross-registering into or auditing an HGSE course can access course readings and other resources once they receive Harvard/Harvard Key credentials. Once logged into an HGSE course in Canvas, locate "Library Reserves" in the left navigation pane. Open "Library Reserves" to see one list comprising all types of content specifically for your course to include locally digitized and licensed book chapters, links to library subscription e-journals, e-books, databases, print books on course reserve, links to external web content, videos and more. If you are auditing a class and you're not currently at Harvard (for example, you are alumni), then course readings may be unavailable to you from Harvard. In these cases, you are responsible for acquiring those materials. ### How do time zones work in Canvas? expand\_more Time zones in Canvas are available in three different flavors, and should be configured accordingly in order to display the correct time. **System-wide time zone:** This is the default time zone set by the Canvas administrators that applies to all courses within an account (root-account setting). **Course time zone:** This time zone setting can be changed per course to suit the needs of the teaching team; otherwise it will follow what is the default system-wide time zone **Personal time zone:** This time zone setting should be configured by users in order to accurately scale and display the course's time zone to their own locale time. **Note:** To see an assignment's original time zone/due date, hover over the time and due date to see both times and dates. ### What do I do if I get an "Access Denied" or "Unauthorized" error on a Canvas page? expand\_more If you cannot access the course site at all, please review the FAQ on that particular issue: [Why do I not have access to my course site?](/faq/why-do-i-not-have-access-my-course-site "Why do I not have access to my course site?") If you've received this error message when attempting to access a page, file, assignment, or anything of the like in a Canvas course you do have access to then know that you are not the only one experiencing this issue in your class! Most likely the content has not been published yet - please contact the teaching team to let them know. If you can access the *page*, but some element on the page displays "Access Denied" or is blank or similar, ensure you have third-party cookies enabled: [How do I enable third-party cookies? | Instructional Technology @ GSE IT](https://canvas.gse.harvard.edu/faqs?search=how%20do%20i%20enable%20third%20party%20cookies) ### How do I join Zoom sessions in Canvas? expand\_more The Zoom Canvas integration is used by instructors to schedule online, live meetings which may include classes, sections, office hours, and any other course-related sessions. The Zoom integration will display within the course menu. On entering the application from the course menu, you will see a list of upcoming live sessions. These will also display in your Canvas calendar. By accessing your course sessions via the Zoom Canvas integration, you are minimizing potential connection issues. Here are two things to bear in mind if you do have issues. First, you should always use your Harvard Zoom account to join sessions. Second, sessions will nearly always be passcode protected. If you attempt to join the session via Canvas, you will **not** need this passcode. If you have only the meeting ID, and not the full link that includes a hashed passcode within it, you **will** need the passcode and this may not have been made available to you for security reasons. If you cannot join a Zoom session in Canvas *make sure you are using your Harvard Zoom account and not your personal account.* **How do I know I'm using my Zoom Pro account?** 1. If logged in via a web browser, click on your profile. Scroll down under settings and look for your “sign-in email” – it should be your @gse.harvard.edu email address. Beneath your email there should be text stating Linked Accounts SSO. 2. Using the Zoom desktop client, click on your profile image (top right) – it should show your username, @gse.harvard.edu email address, and “Pro” 3. Using your mobile device (iOS) and the Zoom client, opening the app should immediately display your name, @gse.harvard.edu email address and “licensed”. ### How do I fix "wrong username or password" when signing in to Zoom? expand\_more Whenever you need to sign-in to Zoom, ensure you do so via logging in at [https://harvard.zoom.us](https://harvard.zoom.us,/) or when prompted select "sign-in with SSO" -- do not use an email/password. See the following article for more: - ["Wrong user name or password" error when signing into the Zoom desktop app or add-in - IT Help (service-now.com)](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=99250b4adb17005096ab5682ca961948) ### How do I change my Zoom display name? expand\_more Zoom pulls your display name from what you have set as your preferred name in my.harvard if you're a student, and in Peoplesoft if you're staff. Incidentally, this is also true of your Canvas display name. Follow the steps in this article to change your display name: - [Update Zoom Display Name - IT Help (service-now.com)](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=b574345edb61e014441560fdd396193d) ### How do I set up Zoom as a student? expand\_more ## Set up your Zoom account First, you will need to set up your Harvard Zoom account. You are required to join all classes with your Harvard Zoom account; access may be denied if you use the wrong account, there may be features missing necessary to participate, and other issues with the smooth running of the session may arise. 1. Go to [https://harvard.zoom.us](https://harvard.zoom.us/). 2. Click **Sign in** to configure your account. 3. The HarvardKey login screen will appear. Enter your HarvardKey login name and password. 4. Your account is configured. Confirm that you see your name and email address on the Zoom profile page. ## Install the Zoom desktop application Once you have setup your Zoom account, the next step is to install the Zoom desktop application onto your device. Again, you are required to use the Zoom desktop application and to keep it updated; teachers may use features that require a recent, or the most recent, version of the application. Please see the following pages for instructions: - [How to install the Zoom desktop application](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=2b591402db367704dffdbc32ba9619ff) - [How upgrade Zoom to the latest version](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362233-Upgrading-Zoom-to-the-latest-version) ## Set up your sound You should use a headset (that is, headphones with a microphone), or any setup with a dedicated, clear sounding speaker and microphone system. Many laptops have integrated speakers and microphones that are not designed to be used for class sessions in which quality of sound is critical. You should also be familiar with the Zoom interface and know whether you are muted, and how to quickly mute and unmute yourself. You should also consider ensuring that you are automatically muted when initially joining a meeting: - [Muting your microphone when joining a meeting – Zoom Support](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203024649-Muting-your-microphone-when-joining-a-meeting) ## Set up your video You should use a dedicated webcam or, failing that, a laptop with a very good quality integrated camera. Many laptops have very basic web cameras that are not suitable for online classes. Another consideration is the placement of the integrated camera: test to see if you will be able to arrange your setup so participants have a clear view of your face while you're in class, both while listening, speaking, and taking notes. Another consideration is refining the image of your person on the screen so that participants are able to see you speak clearly and will not be distracted by things around you. You should experiment and refine three elements that affect how you show on screen: 1. Framing: How far should I sit from the screen? What angle should my camera be set at? 2. Lighting: Should I have the light on or off (and where should it be, if I can move it)? Should I have the curtain open or closed? 3. Background: Where should I sit in the workspace? Should I blur my background or choose another virtual background? - [Changing your Virtual Background image – Zoom Support](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/210707503-Changing-your-Virtual-Background-image) - [Using blurred background – Zoom Support](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360061468611) Here are some additional tips on improving your image quality: [Improving poor video quality – Zoom Support](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002595343) ## Test your Zoom setup You now should have Zoom installed and be able to sign-in with your Harvard account. Congratulations! The next step should be to test your ability to join a Zoom meeting and speak and hear clearly. The Zoom test meeting will prompt you to choose and test your speakers, microphone, and video camera: - [Join a Test Meeting - Zoom](https://zoom.us/test) Try in advance to have a strong, stable internet connection during class sessions. You can [check your internet speed on this website](https://www.speedtest.net/). Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) advises at least 5Mbps to use Zoom (without video on) and other collaboration tools. - Refer to Harvard University's [Getting online and optimizing connection](https://huit.harvard.edu/remote-online) page for suggestions if you have a slow connection or trouble connecting.