Before you start importing content and designing course assignments and activities, you have to have an actual course shell to work in. There are two types of course shells. Obviously, you will have course shells for your classes, but you can also have an empty shell to use as you wish. We call that a Sandbox. You should have a Sandbox already created and in your course list, but if for any reason you don't, then you can request a Sandbox here. Make sure to make the subject line say "Canvas Sandbox".

In order to access your courses, click on the 'Courses' tab in the Dashboard to the left and to select the Sandbox Course you want to work in.

Things You Can Do With a Sandbox Course

This may seem obvious, but we've seen Sandbox Courses used in many different ways:

practice course to work in as you learn to use Canvas
master or template courses
professional development courses
Canvas orientation courses for students or teachers
a digital space for professional groups or committees to collaborate (note: Groups can also be used for this)

We've even seen teachers design entire programs under one Sandbox using modules as a way to organize each 'short course'. We've seen clients explore the possibilities of using course shells for accepting student applications. Non-profit organizations are using it to train their volunteer staff.

Regardless of how you use your course shell, before students can see the course - YOU MUST PUBLISH it!

The following tutorial detail course shells and global dashboard:
From Blackboard to Canvas
How to publish a course
How to navigate your Canvas Dashboard
Watch the Canvas Interface Overview video