Dear Faculty,

As we enter into the final two months of the fall semester, we would like to provide an update on the Canvas transition.

Fall ‘24 Pilot

The fall pilot has offered us a great deal of information about the functionality of Canvas for the UMass community, and we are thankful to all those who have participated in the migration project thus far. If you are interested in hearing from faculty who are currently using Canvas, we invite you to the upcoming Canvas Pilot Faculty Showcases offered through the Office of Faculty Development in collaboration with Instructional Development. The next session will be Nov. 25 at 3 pm.

Spring 25 Pilot

We have selected another round of over 60 faculty from all colleges/schools to participate in an expanded pilot.  Participants in the spring pilot have begun the Canvas training including the Growing with Canvas course and the Vendor-led Vault training and demonstration site. As a reminder to spring pilot participants, the Growing with Canvas training must be completed by 12/1/24.

Spring 25 Canvas Access

By the end of February, all faculty will have access to Canvas. This will not be a pilot program, but rather an opportunity to get a head start on the Growing with Canvas course and Vendor-led Vault site. You will also be able to view and explore the new course design template and the Canvas orientation and training course for students called Passport to Canvas.

All faculty will receive a one-time generated “sandbox site.” Additional sites may be requested after that.

Wintersession ’25

Winter ’25 courses that are scheduled to be taught by Fall ’24 pilot group participants will be created and taught in Canvas. All other Winter ’25 courses will be taught in Blackboard.

Winter’25	A few courses from various departments will use Canvas. Most courses will still use Blackboard.
Spring’25	Additional pilot courses will be added to the number of courses on Canvas. Most courses will still use Blackboard.
Summer’25	All courses will use Canvas.
Fall’25	All courses will use Canvas.

Curious about the transition from Blackboard to Canvas?

We invite you to take a look at the Blackboard to Canvas Conversion Table.

Canvas Questions?

If you have questions about Canvas or the transition, we invite you to visit Instructional Development’s Canvas webpage which will be updated as new information is available. For additional questions, please email the Instructional Development using the Canvas Feedback and Inquiries Form.

We hope your fall semester is going well, and we look forward to working with you during this transition.

Sincerely,

The Provost’s Office
CITS | Instructional Development