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Frequently Asked Questions


The best way to access CR systems is to use the links : WebAdvisor | Canvas | Student Email | in the top, black bar of a CR web page (such as this web page) and then click on the system you want to access. Note help is  available for each system in Help and Support link to the left

You have a separate user name for each of the three main online services at CR.

    • Your Web-Advisor user name is in the following format - first initial of your first name + your last name + last three digits of you Student ID number.  For example, Bugs Bunny with a Student ID number of 0123456 will have a User ID of bbunny456.  If you can't find your Student ID number, contact Enrollment Services at (707) 476-4200. Click here for Web-Advisor Login Help!
    • Your Canvas user ID is the same as your Web-Advisor user ID. Click here for Canvas Login Help!!!!
    • Your email address is your Web-Advisor user ID + "@mycr.redwoods.edu".  When logging into your student email account, enter your entire student email address as your username. Click here for Student Email Help!

The default passwords for your accounts are:

    • Web-Advisor:  your 6-digit birthday (MMDDYY) 
    • Canvas and Student email:  your 8-digit birthday (mmddYYYY).

After you log in, you can change the default password, but you will need to do that for each system separately.
TIP:  Using the same password for all three accounts can help you remember it.

There are a number of things that can prevent you from logging into Canvas. Before contacting Technical Support, please check the following:

    • Has it been at least 24 hours since your registration was processed? There will be a delay between when you register at CR and when you will have access to Canvas and Canvas courses.
    • Are you logging into the correct Canvas site?  https://redwoods.instructure.com.
    • Are you typing in your Web-Advisor ID as the Canvas user name correctly?
    • Are you using your 8-digit birthdate (mmddyyyy) as your password? See Canvas Login help for details.

If you are still unable to log in, contact Technical Services at its@redwoods.edu or by calling either (707) 476-4160 or (800) 641-0400 Ext. 4160, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

You should contact your instructor to get help with questions about your Canvas course. Log in to Canvas and select your course then click the help button in the upper right corner or lower left and you will be prompted to ask your instructor a question.

No. Unless specified, you are not required to come to the CR campus at any time. 

Note: Some classes may require a proctored exam or other course specific requirements. Please check the Online Class Orientation Letter or course syllabus for your specific class.  

After finals week your class will move from the active course drop-down list on the main page to your past enrolments list. To view your past enrollments see: Past Enrollments

Your Canvas site will be concluded and you will no longer be able to participate in any graded assignments or activities. However, you will be able to view your grades and the course materials that your instructor has made available after the class ends.

For most courses, you will not be required to attend class at a set time. This is called "asynchronous" instruction.  You will complete your work on your own schedule each week, although you will still have to submit assignments and complete exams on time as requested by your instructor.

Some instructors may have set times for "live" Web discussions. This means that you may need to "log on" to your online course at a specific time, even if most of your work is done on your own schedule.  And a few online courses are "synchronous", meaning that you will have to be online at specified times along with the instructor and the rest of the class.  

Class descriptions in WebAdvisor and the Course Orientation Letters will clearly state whether a particular course is synchronous or asynchronous.

CR instructors use many different methods to create an exciting, interactive online learning environment. Live chat sessions, Wikis, blogs, interactive activities, and discussion forums are just a few of the techniques used to enhance online learning. E-mail is also a common mode of communication between instructors and students.

Yes. In order to take semester-based, online college courses, you must be admitted to the College of the Redwoods. See How to Apply to CR

The transfer of credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. To help ensure transfer success, the CR Transfer Center provides services and resources which facilitate transfers to other colleges and universities. The earlier you begin the process, the better.

Canvas is a Web-based service that requires a Web browser, a stable Internet connection and possibly some browser plug-ins. Canvas also has apps for your mobile devices, just search apps for "Canvas by Instructure" (iOS & Android ). See Canvas Guides for more information.

Canvas supports the most recent two browser versions for the following browsers:

  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Firefox
  • Internet Explorer

If your browser is not up to date you will see a warning notification from Canvas (See Canvas Browser Support )

CR provides a full range of services to online students.  An Orientation to college is available online for students who are new to CR.  Placement testing for students at a distance from a CR site can be arranged through the Academic Support Center

Library Services
are available for students both on and off-campus, and the CR Libraries provide access to e-books, articles, and a full range of research materials.  If you need help with your research, you can contact a reference librarian using the Ask-A-Librarian page on the Library Website.

Yes. CR's online courses have the same course content as traditional courses. They are written and taught by CR faculty members.  The main difference between an online and on-campus course is that in most cases you do not have a set day or time to attend an online class. You will complete your work on your own schedule each week, although you will still have to submit assignments and complete exams on time as requested by your instructor.

Visit the Canvas Getting Started Page! It has links to an orientation class about Canvas and links to videos, documentation and tutorials. You can also search the Internet to find thousands of web pages and videos about how to use Canvas - just Google "Instructure Canvas how to ???".

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