Canvas has many permissions that allow course participants to view, add, edit, and delete content. Roles define which permissions are granted to individual participants. There are two categories of roles:

• Administrative Roles: Individuals in these roles can add tools to a course site and create and edit content in many tools. Some administrative roles also allow participants to access unpublished or otherwise hidden content and perform administrative functions such as adding other participants to a site and grading work submitted by students. Teacher, TA, Designer, and Librarian are administrative roles.
• Member Roles: Individuals in these roles can access content that those in administrative roles have made visible, and upload content and submit work in appropriate tools. The Student, Waitlisted Student, and Observer roles are basic member roles.

For additional details, see What are Permissions and Roles? (opens new window).