Dear Blackboard Organization Owner:
Thank you for your patience as the project team worked to gather information and prepare for the transition of Blackboard Organizations (Bb Orgs) and non-academic course sites to Canvas. As a reminder, Blackboard will be available through July 15, 2025. We are pleased to provide details and resources to help you navigate this change.
Canvas Use Guidelines
Since introducing Bb Orgs in 2009, Geroge Mason has invested in various technology solutions to support collaboration. Like other institutions transitioning to a new LMS (Learning Management System), the LMS Advisory and Executive Steering Committees have established guidelines for activities in the Canvas LMS. These activities are limited to specific academic and/or instructional purposes, including delivery of instruction, student training, and/or instructional technology training.
Web Links to Content in Bb Orgs
The project team, which includes members of the Office of University Branding’s web team, has gathered requirements to document the needs of sites that have linked web content stored in the Bb Orgs environment. The team expects to identify and announce the transition plan for this use case during the fall semester.
Technology Matrix for Use Cases
To help users determine the best technology to meet their needs, a matrix of common use cases and available solutions has been developed and can be found on the Canvas project website at: https://lms.gmu.edu/orgs/. You will find links to information about the service options and how to request or access them.
Requesting Canvas Course Sites Not Created Through Banner
If your use case aligns with the intended use of Canvas, you can request a Canvas course site starting on Monday, July 15, 2024. Each request will be reviewed to ensure it meets the guidelines. If it is determined that your Blackboard content should move to Canvas, please review the course migration options. Bb Orgs and non-academic courses are eligible to use the automated migration option during a future wave of migrations.
Still to come:
- A Canvas site will be created for each major/degree. Students with that major would be automatically enrolled and removed as they declare. This will replicate existing functionality in Blackboard and is a space for departments to communicate with their students, post files, hold online orientations, etc.
- Canvas Catalog is an outreach platform for non-degree instructional purposes. The registration system allows a mix of George Mason and non-George Mason users to register and access public outreach and professional development offerings. Note: this does not replace the systems in use by the Continuing and Professional Education office.
Action Items for Bb Orgs Owners
As you prepare for this transition, we recommend you take the following actions, whether moving to Canvas or another technology solution.
Review and Manage Your Content:
- Start reviewing the content in your Bb Orgs
- Determine which materials need to be moved and who should continue to have access
Securely Manage Your Data:
- Use this guide to learn how best to download content from your organization
- Consider the classification of the data you are storing and ensure it is managed securely
Finally, we encourage you to visit the project website, which provides additional information, including FAQs, the technology matrix, and the project timeline. Soon, the project team will be announcing opportunities to ask questions about this effort through virtual office hours. In the meantime, you can continue to submit inquiries to [email protected].
Thank you for your continued cooperation during this transition.