Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Top Hat for Instructors


Table of Contents

For general Top Hat information, please see Getting Started with Top Hat for Instructors.

How does the class roster sync between Canvas and Top Hat? 

The class roster is automatically synced everyday at 12:00AM (every 24 hours). If a student is removed (e.g. dropped) from a Canvas course the student will be removed from the Top Hat course, and their participation & grade history will be removed. 

If a student is removed and then rejoins the course, their grade history will be restored.

How does the grade roster sync between Canvas and Top Hat? 

Grade sync is manual. To initiate a grade sync, follow the steps below: 

  1. Open the Top Hat course 
  2. Select the Gradebook tab on the top
  3. Select the Sync with LMS button on the top right
  4. Check off the grade items that you wish to sync to the Canvas course. 

Should I create assignments for Top Hat grade items in Canvas? 

You should not create any Top Hat assignments ahead of time in Canvas. The grade synchronization will generate assignments for the Top Hat grade items automatically in your Canvas course.

Once they have been created, you can organize the Top Hat assignments into assignment groups on the Assignments page in your Canvas course.

Can I view my Top Hat course from a students’ perspective? 

Student View is available in Top Hat, and you can use it to preview your slides, questions, attendance, and classroom interactions exactly as students see them during a live presentation.

Please note that Student View is only accessible through the Present button, so you must have content in your course (slides or questions) to access the Student View.

Once your content is ready, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the View: Select the Present button, then select Student View from the presentation screen.
  2. Identify the Tab: A new tab will open with a purple Student View banner at the top.
  3. Presenting: Return to your original instructor tab to begin the session. As you progress through your slides, the Student View tab will update in real-time.
  4. Exiting: To finish, simply end the presentation from your instructor tab and close the Student View window, or click Exit Student View.

Please note that Student View is currently only supported for the Classroom tab. Only presented material (slides, questions, etc.) is visible. Assigned content in the 'Content' tab and the student 'Gradebook' are not currently supported.

If an unsupported tab is selected, you will see a message stating: "This action is not available in Student View."

Can I reuse Top Hat content from a previous semester? 

Yes, you can copy entire courses or parts of a course.

Duplicating existing content:

  1. Open the previous Top Hat course
  2. Select the item(s) you want to copy.
  3. Select Copy in the menu that appears.
  4. Choose where to paste the content: top, bottom, or inside a folder.
  5. Select the new course from the drop-down.
  6. Select Copy Here to complete the process.

Duplicating an existing course:

Copying an entire course is available for select courses. Courses with paid content are not included.

  1. Login to Top Hat. Make sure you are on the Home tab. 
  2. Select the copy icon on the course you want to duplicate.
  3. Review the course details (name, subject, course ID) in the pop-up window.
  4. Adjust details and set the course start/end dates.
  5. Select Copy Course to confirm.