Canvas selected as the new USask Learning Management System

USask has selected a new Learning Management System (LMS) vendor, Canvas, to support our campus community with an improved student learning experience consistent with our principles.  The move to Canvas will also provide faculty with improved efficiency and new features. We accelerated our selection given our recent transition to online and remote teaching for many courses up to Fall 2020.  Blackboard (Bblearn) will continue to be available until the end of the summer 2021 term, after which Canvas will act as the USask LMS

We recognize that many of us on campus have done a lot of learning about technology since we needed to move to remote teaching and may not be looking for a transition at this time.  Other faculty members and students are letting us know they are looking for the improved mobile access and ability to offer assessment that Canvas will provide.   

We’ll be here to support you and your college with the transition window that works for you.  You’ll also have access to the Canvas Community, where you’ll find resources you can use for your courses.

Our existing teaching tools, including Panopto, WebEx, and Office 365 continue to be integrated in both Blackboard and Canvas.  You can consult your college or school to learn the timelines for your college’s implementation plan or view the main timeline.

What is exciting about Canvas?

Canvas offers exciting new additions to support faculty with remote teaching and improve student experience. In the faculty survey and student survey during the selection process, easy access and ease of learning were identified as the key needs in a new LMS. Canvas was selected specifically to meet those needs, and to address needs identified in the learning principles. With Canvas, you can:

  • Have anywhere use on mobile devices 
  • Personalize how you receive all notifications based on your preference 
  • Use Speed Grader for fast grading in a remote/online teaching environment  
  • Use Mastery Paths for accommodation and personalization 
  • Jump into exactly the content you want 
  • Integrate with Office 365 
  • Use the assignment tool to make peer feedback uncomplicated

Who's moving when?

Early Adopters of Canvas

An early adopter is a couse instructor or faculty member who opts to begin using Canvas before the rest of their department/college officially moves to Canvas. The image above this section outlines who is scheduled to move in Fall 2020 and Winter 2021.

To sign up to be an early adopter, please press the button below.

How can I get help?

As a result, you can already start with viewing “how to” documents and video tutorials. You can see the initial links by going to our Independent Learning page. There will be more details around June 12th as we prepare for the launch, so we’d recommend waiting.

Also around June 12th, all the PD offerings will be available on our Supported Learning page. We are currently planning the content of those sessions based on your requests in the Early Adopters’ survey.

A course for Canvas training will also appear in your list of Canvas courses. This course will be used for activities during the professional learning sessions. You'll receive an email when that course becomes available.

What if I have more questions that are urgent before everything is posted shortly?

Please email Amanda Dahl, Project Manager who will direct you to the right place to get answers.

Begin Learning About Canvas

Please explore our other pages using the buttons below for more information about Canvas and for learning how to use it.