Dear Colleagues:
We are pleased to provide you with a monthly update on the progress of the Canvas implementation. Since our last update, the project team has been diligently working to ensure a smooth transition to Canvas as our primary Learning Management System (LMS) in the following areas:
3rd Party App Integrations
We are integrating more than 70 third-party applications, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2024. These integrations span a variety of categories, including enterprise applications such as Zoom and Poll Everywhere, publisher connections like Pearson, and course media solutions like Kaltura.
Sandbox Courses
Sandbox course sites serve as dedicated spaces for practicing with Canvas and developing content for forthcoming courses. Anticipated for availability in late April, these environments are for instructors and administrators to experiment with Canvas functionalities, refine their skills, and create engaging materials for future classes.
Fall 2024 Courses in Canvas
For the upcoming fall 2024 semester, we expect 30-40% of courses offered will be hosted in Canvas. In preparation, we strongly encourage specific groups to transition to Canvas for course delivery, including new-to-Mason faculty, instructors with previous experience teaching in Canvas, and those developing new courses during the summer term.
Feedback and Suggestions
We value your feedback and suggestions as we continue refining our Canvas Implementation. If you have thoughts, please share them at lms.gmu.edu or through your school/college’s Advisory Committee representative (https://lms.gmu.edu/committees/).
Resources and Support
Updated information and resources, including a migration timeline, frequently asked questions, and ongoing project status updates, are available at lms.gmu.edu.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Canvas Implementation Team at lms@gmu.edu.
Thank you for your cooperation and support throughout this process.
Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Online Operations
Office of the Provost
Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services
2 replies on “February Faculty Update for Canvas Implementation”
Thank you for this update. Has any thought been given to supporting students who may have courses in Blackboard and in Canvas? Students already have difficult managing information in one LMS, let alone two.
Thanks for this important point. It will be a transition period for students as they will likely have courses in both systems for one to two semesters. We know students are eager to be on Canvas and the project wants to balance the transition time for everyone involved. We are looking into options to ensure a course will only appear in Blackboard or Canvas, based on instructor choice – this should help students.