Student Privacy and Responsibilities

Canvas includes course materials, assignments, grades, and other academic information. You are expected to use it responsibly in accordance with university policies  including the Computer and Software Acceptable Use Policy.

Canvas is a secure university system intended for official academic use. Unauthorized access or misuse of the system is prohibited. Responsible use of Canvas helps protect your personal information, supports the privacy of others, and contributes to a secure digital learning environment.

Like most digital learning systems, Canvas collects certain information to support teaching, learning, and system performance. This may include:

• Pages visited within a course
• Time spent viewing materials or completing activities
• Assignment submissions and quiz attempts
• Browser and device information used to access the system

This information helps instructors understand how students are engaging with course materials and allows university technology staff to maintain and improve system performance.

Your TWU Pioneer Portal username and password provide access to Canvas, email, and other university systems. Protecting your account is an important part of protecting your academic records and personal information.

You should:

• Keep your TWU username and password private
• Log out after using public or shared computers
• Avoid saving login information on shared devices
• Use secure internet connections whenever possible

If you think your account has been compromised, contact the Technology Service Desk right away.

Materials shared in Canvas are intended for students enrolled in the course. These materials may include lectures, slides, assignments, discussion posts, handouts, and course recordings.

You should not:

• Download or distribute course materials without permission
• Share screenshots, recordings, or course content outside the course
• Post course materials on public websites or social media

Respecting course materials helps protect instructor intellectual property and preserves the privacy of the learning environment.

Online courses often include discussions, group work, peer review, and live class sessions. You are expected to contribute to a respectful and secure learning environment.

You should:

• Respect the privacy of classmates and instructors
• Avoid sharing personal information about others outside the course
• Engage respectfully with differing viewpoints
• Avoid recording or sharing class interactions without permission

Some courses may include live online meetings using tools such as Zoom. Instructors may record these sessions so students can review course content later.

You should know:

• Recordings may include video, audio, shared screens, and chat messages
• Recordings are usually intended only for students enrolled in the course
• Course recordings should not be downloaded or shared without instructor permission

When participating in recorded sessions, be mindful of your surroundings and avoid sharing personal or sensitive information.

Some courses may use artificial intelligence tools for tutoring, writing support, study help, or research. These tools may be built into Canvas or accessed through outside websites.

Before using AI tools:

• Review your instructor’s directions carefully
• Follow course rules about when AI use is allowed
• Understand that some AI tools may store or analyze what you enter
• Avoid entering personal, private, or sensitive information unless required for the course

Using AI tools responsibly also means following course expectations and university standards for academic integrity.

Your instructor may use other learning tools connected to Canvas, such as Turnitin, Panopto, or publisher courseware.

When using these tools, you may be asked to log in through Canvas or create an account with the outside service. In some cases, limited information such as your name or email address may be shared so the tool can function properly.

You should review instructor directions carefully when using any third-party technology required for a course.

Academic integrity means doing your work honestly and following course and university expectations. These expectations apply to online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses.

In online courses, academic integrity includes:

• Completing your own assignments and assessments unless collaboration is allowed
• Citing sources appropriately when using another person’s words, ideas, or work
• Following instructor guidance about the use of AI tools, websites, tutoring help, or study aids
• Submitting original work

You should not:

• Submit work completed by someone else
• Use AI-generated work when it is not permitted
• Share answers, quiz content, or assignments without approval
• Use unauthorized websites or services to complete coursework
• Allow another person to log into Canvas or complete work on their behalf

If you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask your instructor before using it.

Violations of academic integrity policies may result in academic penalties and referral through the university’s academic conduct process.

Student education records are protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law.

Under FERPA, you have the right to:

• Review your education records
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Control disclosure of certain personal information in your records

More information on your rights is available through the TWU Registrar’s Office.

Before you begin your course, remember to:

• Protect your TWU login information
• Use Canvas and course tools only for academic purposes
• Keep course materials and class discussions private
• Follow your instructor’s directions for AI and outside tools
• Complete your work honestly
• Ask questions if you are unsure about expectations