Canvas Observer Permissions & Features

A quick reference guide to what parent observers can view and interact with in Canvas

Canvas Observer Permissions & Features Reference Guide
Feature	Observer Visibility	Observer Participation
Announcements	✔️ Can view and read the announcements.	✖️ Cannot comment or participate.
Assignments	✔️ Can view the assignments page and details added by the teacher.	✖️ Cannot submit assignments.
Assignments (Third-Party Apps)	✔️ Can view the assignment page and details added by the teacher.	✖️ Cannot preview the assignment created by the third-party app.
Calendar	✔️ Can view personal calendar and calendars of courses their student is enrolled in. ✖️ Cannot view the personal calendar of their student(s) or courses they are not enrolled in.	✔️ Can add events to personal calendar. ✖️ Cannot add assignments to course calendars.
Collaborations	✔️ Can view the collaborations page.	✖️ Cannot view, join, or participate in a collaboration.
Conversations	✔️ Can view own Inbox. ✖️ Cannot view messages sent to the student they are observing.	✔️ Can send messages to the instructor and student they are observing. ✖️ Cannot send messages to others in the class.
Discussions	✔️ Can view discussion descriptions.	✖️ Cannot comment, view comments, or participate in discussions.
Files	✔️ Can preview and download some files.	✖️ Cannot view a locked file or folder.
Grades	✔️ Can view grades including assignment comments for the student(s) they are observing. Can filter the Grades view by grading period, filter by courses enrolled in, view assignment scores and due dates, and print grades.	✖️ Cannot change grades.
Modules	✔️ Can view point values for individual assignments. ✔️ Can click any link in modules.	✖️ Cannot participate in Discussions, submit Assignments, or take Quizzes.
Notifications	✔️ Can view personal notification preferences.	✔️ Currently receive notifications for assignment creation, assignment modification, and created announcements.
People	✖️ Cannot view course roster.	✖️ Not applicable.
Quizzes	✔️ Can view quizzes index page.	✖️ Cannot view quiz questions/details. ✖️ Cannot take a quiz.
Rubrics	✔️ Can view rubric.	✖️ Cannot view graded results directly on rubric index page.
User Dashboard	✔️ Can view User Dashboard.	✔️ Can interact with Dashboard features (To Do, Feedback, Course Cards).

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