Dear Colleagues:
As the semester winds down, we would like to provide an update on the Canvas implementation, including information on course migrations and how to opt in to use Canvas for your courses in the fall 2024 semester.
Blackboard Course Migrations
The first wave of Blackboard to Canvas course migrations will begin at the end of this semester and include the most recent section of courses taught by each instructor from the summer 2022 to spring 2024 semesters. Course migrations will copy all instructor-added content in Blackboard courses to a course in Canvas. These courses can be used as a source to copy content into your live course whenever you decide to start teaching with Canvas.
Tomorrow, Thursday, April 25, you will receive a personalized email with a list of your “pre-selected” courses and a list of other course sites tied to you in Blackboard. You can select up to five additional courses from this section to migrate during this first wave. The email will be sent from “LMS Implementation Project <noreply@qemailserver.com>, with the subject “Canvas Course Migration Selection Site.”
To be included in this first wave of migrations, this form must be submitted by Monday, May 6. However, pre-selected courses will migrate to Canvas even if you do not complete the form. You will be notified when the migrations are available in Canvas in June, and you will be provided access to guides for navigating your migrated courses in Canvas. For detailed information, visit the website.
Interest in Canvas for Fall 2024
If you are interested in teaching one or more courses in Canvas in fall 2024, the opt-in form will be available in the coming weeks. Please note that course sites will not be available until June 2024. Once available, migrated courses or selections of content can be copied into your live fall courses.
While all faculty can opt-in, we encourage the following groups to consider using Canvas this fall: (1) faculty who are new to Mason, (2) faculty with previous experience teaching in Canvas, and/or (3) faculty developing new courses for fall 2024 and beyond.
Canvas Access and Sandboxes
Each faculty member will automatically be provided a Canvas sandbox in the coming weeks. Sandboxes are a safe space to explore Canvas, design courses, collaborate on content, and resolve potential issues before going live. Additional sandbox courses can be requested beginning in July 2024.
As always, we encourage you to visit the project website, https://lms.gmu.edu, for updates and other important information, including links to training, quick-start guides, and FAQs. Thank you for your continued cooperation and engagement throughout this process.
Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Mason Online
Office of the Provost
Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services