Canvas Up

Canvas Up - advance to the next level

Is our LMS changing from Blackboard to Canvas?

Over the last several years, your Online@JSU team has been evaluating a variety of learning management systems, including our current Blackboard learning management system (LMS), and gathering feedback and information from faculty, staff, students, administrators, other universities, industry analysts, and technology providers.  After much consideration, we are pleased to recommend Canvas as JSU's next official LMS.  Upper levels of the JSU administration have been consulted regarding this recommendation, and are fully supportive of moving forward.

What is Canvas?

Canvas, by Instructure, is a rapidly growing learning management system offered as a cloud-native SaaS platform.  Established in 2008, and launched on the market in 2011, Canvas is used by more than 2,000 universities, school districts, and institutions around the world.  In about 7 years, it has risen to the second most adopted LMS in the industry.

What can Canvas do?

The abilities of Canvas are extensive, hosting a full range of LMS tools, but below you will find just a few of the features that drew our attention:

  • Clean, intuitive, modern interface built on current and sustainable web standards
  • Smart communication workflows
  • Integrated media recording and insertion
  • Microsoft Office 365 integration
  • Mobile friendly
  • True multi-platform compatibility
  • Easy content sharing and reuse
  • Thorough analytics, reporting, and availability of data
  • Learning outcomes integration
  • Collaborative workspaces
  • Social media integration
  • Time-saving assessment tools (for online and face-to-face classroom experiences)
  • Speedgrader
  • Student-centered learning features
  • Integrated support
  • Reliable, stable, fast performance
  • No down time for updates, and frequent issue resolution

To learn more, go to the Canvas LMS web site.

When will I get a closer look and will faculty have an opportunity to provide additional feedback?

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017, Canvas representatives will be visiting the JSU campus to present an overview and demonstration of the Canvas LMS.  All faculty and staff are invited to attend one of two duplicate sessions, 11:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., held in Wallace Hall, room 200 (auditorium).  Each session will last about an hour, plus a 30 minute question/answer period.  We welcome feedback from any and all JSU faculty, staff, and students.

When can I use Canvas for my JSU courses, and when will Blackboard no longer be available?

Below is an outline of our anticipated time line, pending finalization of contracts.  Contractual commitments are expected to solidify around October/November 2017.

Get ready to 'level up' with us as we navigate the path towards a successful Canvas launch!

Blackboard to Canvas Time Line
All plans are subject to change.

What other schools have selected Canvas?

Canvas us used by more than 2,000 universities, school districts, and institutions around the world.  Below are just a few you might recognize.  You might consider contacting your colleagues at these schools to learn about their experience transitioning to and utilizing this progressive learning management system.  Many of them switched from Blackboard, so you may have much in common.

  • Auburn University
  • Brown University
  • Buck County Community College
  • BYU - Hawaii
  • Clarkson College
  • Clemson University
  • Dartmouth
  • Dunwoody College
  • Ecornell
  • Emory University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Hinds Community College
  • Indiana University
  • Ivey Business School, Western University
  • Longwood University
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Murray State University
  • New Mexico State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Ohio State University
  • San Jose' State University
  • Tidewater Community College
  • Troy University
  • Tyler Jr College
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Colorado
  • Univeristy of Mary Washington
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Montevallo
  • University of North Alabama
  • University of North Carolina Charlotte
  • University of North Florida
  • University of St. Francis
  • University of Washington
  • University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • Utah State University
  • Westminster College
  • Yale University

What else should I know?

We will keep you updated.  For now, keep your eyes on the horizon, watch for changes, and get ready to Canvas Up!