Using the Canvas Customization Requests Feature

Introduction

As an instructor using Canvas, you may find areas where small adjustments could greatly enhance your course delivery, student engagement, or overall usability. The Canvas Customization Requests feature gives you a direct channel to request changes that can tailor the Canvas experience to better support your teaching style and course goals for your students. Whether it's a request for a new feature, a small design adjustment, or something else, this tool helps you communicate those needs to your institution’s Canvas administrators.

This guide will walk you through how to access the customization request form, submit clear and effective requests, track their progress, and understand what kinds of customizations are available to you.

Video Demonstration of Canvas Customization Request

How to Submit a Canvas Customization Request

1. Login to SPC's Canvas Instance.
2. Select Help at the bottom of the Global Navigation bar on the left to bring up the Support/Help menu.
   
3. At the bottom of the Support/Help menu, you'll see a box titled Canvas Customization Requests and Submit requests for Canvas customizations and track ongoing projects hyperlink. Select the hyperlink.
   Note: If you don't see a hyperlink under Canvas Customization Requests, refresh your screen or restart your browser. 
   
4. This brings you to the Canvas Customization Request Dashboard for St. Petersburg College. By default, it opens in the Roadmap screen (1).  Please review the Roadmap to make sure that you don't submit a Canvas Customization Request that's already planned or in-progress. 
   1. Select Planned (2) to see any Canvas Customization Requests that were reviewed by Academic Technology and are in the planning stages. 
   2. Select In Progress (3) to see any Canvas Customization Requests that are in progress. 
   3. Select Complete (4) to view any Canvas Customization Requests that are completed and live in our Canvas instance. 
      
      
      
   4. Select the Feedback tab at the top of the page (1). This is where you'll fill out your Canvas Customization Request. Enter the following information:
      • Enter a title that's short and descriptive (2).
      • Enter details about the request (3)
      • Upload attachments (3) if any to explain/support the request.
      • Select a category from the dropdown menu (4)
      • Select Create Post (5).
        

What Happens After Submission

1. Your request goes to your institution’s Academic Technology Support Team. They’ll review it for feasibility, impact, and alignment with institutional policies. 
2. Bookmark the Canvas Customization Request page and check it periodically.
3. Check your email for updates to your request as well. 

Tips for Better Requests

• Be clear and specific (e.g., “I’d like a ‘Week Overview’ block added to my course homepage”).
• Focus on how the change benefits student learning or instructor workflow.
• Group common needs with colleagues when possible.
• Check if similar requests already exist or are in progress.
  
  

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team

atst@spcollege.edu 

 Phone at 727-341-3500

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).

After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team