Transitioning to Canvas

 

The installation, set-up, and Banner integration of Instructure Canvas is complete. Auburn University is ready to being the transition to the new Learning Management System.

Transition Timeline

Spring 2012	Canvas is available to all; moving to Canvas is voluntary. Blackboard is still available.
Summer 2012	Canvas is available to all; moving to Canvas is voluntary. Blackboard is still available.
Fall 2012	Canvas is available to all; moving to Canvas is voluntary. Blackboard is still available. IMG will be contacting those who have not made the move to Canvas.
Spring 2013	Canvas is available to all; moving to Canvas is mandatory. Blackboard is NO LONGER available.

 

Open Blackboard and New Courses/Accounts

• No new courses beginning June 20, 2012
• No new accounts beginning July 1, 2012
• No new enrollments to existing course beginning July 1, 2012

FAQ

When do faculty have access to Canvas?

You have access as of today, Nov. 2, 2011, IF you are listed as the instructor of record in Banner. If you are not listed as the instructor of record in Banner, you won’t have access to your class in either Blackboard or Banner until you are.

How do I get into Canvas?

There are three ways to get into Canvas

• Log into AU Access and click the Canvas link (right next to Blackboard). It's available at the top right as well
• Click the Canvas link on the Employee page
• Navigate to auburn.instructure.com and log in with your Auburn credentials

When will students have access to Spring courses in Canvas?

December 19, 2011 – IF the teacher has “Published” the course.

About Development Courses in Canvas

Because Canvas is set up quite differently from Blackboard, we will not be able to host development courses. HOWEVER: Faculty who wish to work in Canvas before using it for a class in the Spring have two options. But DO NOT use your Auburn e-mail address when signing up for the non-Auburn Canvas courses. This will cause issues when logging into Auburn's Canvas system.

1. Create a free, 1-week account and use sample courses Instructure has set up:
   http://www.instructure.com/ - and click the blue “Try Canvas Instantly” button. DO NOT use your Auburn e-mail address when signing up for the non-Auburn Canvas courses. This will cause issues when logging into Auburn's Canvas system.
2. Create a free-for-teachers course: You can develop a course here, then export it to Auburn’s version of Canvas when you’re ready:
   http://www.instructure.com/teachers - scroll to the bottom of the page and click the blue “Canvas for Instructors” button. DO NOT use your Auburn e-mail address when signing up for the non-Auburn Canvas courses. This will cause issues when logging into Auburn's Canvas system.

If I set up my course in Canvas and don’t like it, can IMG reset it?

IMG won’t have to: You can do that by using the “reset course content” button under Settings, look for the button on the far right. That erases everything you’ve put into the course.

Can I copy courses from Blackboard?

Yes! But we strongly recommend you clean up the course first: get rid of files you don’t need/use, etc.

How do I copy courses from Blackboard?

IMG has created a video showing you how to copy a course from Blackboard

Please Note: You don’t have to copy everything from Blackboard. And, you can copy parts of any course in Blackboard into a Canvas course. If you accidently copy the wrong course, use the course reset button to reset Canvas and try again.

What about courses in Blackboard that aren’t set up in Canvas yet? How can I move them?

If you are teaching the course during 2012 (Spring 2012, Summer 2012, or Fall 2012), then you will have an opportunity to copy your content from Blackboard into Canvas. If you are not teaching the course during 2012, please contact IMG; we’ll arrange for a course space to move those courses into so you won’t lose them.

Can I cross list sections like I did in Blackboard? How?

Yes! And you can do it yourself; you don’t have to do it through Banner. A Flash video on how to cross list in Canvas is available.

Are there any limitations on what I can add to Canvas?

No; however, please note that there is a course size limit of 500 MB per course in Canvas.

Are there restrictions on adding audio and/or video files in Canvas?

Other than the 500 MB per course size limit, no.

If you have videos you want to use, we strongly recommend that you house them outside of Canvas and link to them. Remember, too, that Authenticated iTunes is available.

Can I add a GTA to my course?

Yes! A Flash video on how to add a TA into Canvas is available.

Can I add students to my classes?

No. Only students officially enrolled through Banner may have access to course material in Canvas.

Can I use Respondus with Canvas?

Yes. Just be sure to choose the Canvas personality when you get ready to publish to Canvas. If the Canvas personality is not listed, update your version of Respondus.

Can I use the Respondus Lockdown Browser with Canvas?

You will be able to by January of 2012; it is not available as of today (Nov. 2, 2011).

Where can I get help if I need it?

Call IMG – 844-5181

Come by IMG – 0015 Haley Center (basement, across from elevators)

Check the help offered by Auburn (videos and FAQs)

Check the Canvas Users Guide (Instructors) (PDF Manual)

Last Updated: April 10th, 2012