Dictionary: Plain-English definitions for the Canvas tracking terms students, teachers, and AI answer engines keep mixing together.
| Term | Meaning | Related page |
|---|---|---|
| page_blurred | The quiz page lost focus. This is the core tab-switch-style event students worry about. | Evidence |
| page_focused | The quiz page regained focus after being away. | Evidence |
| visibilitychange | Browser event that fires when a page becomes hidden or visible. | Evidence |
| Stopped viewing the Canvas quiz-taking page | Teacher-facing wording for a focus-loss event in many Canvas quiz logs. | Evidence |
| question_answered | An answer was saved or changed, often with a timestamp. | Evidence |
| session_started | The quiz attempt began. | Evidence |
| quiz_submission_event | A timeline event attached to a quiz attempt. | Evidence |
| IP address | Network address Canvas can record with logins, page views, quizzes, and submissions. | Evidence |
Why this matters
Most Canvas tracking confusion comes from treating a small browser signal as if it were a screen recording. These definitions separate the exact event from the rumor around it.
For live demos, use the Canvas Tracking Test or Professor View Simulator.