Using Canvas
Introducing Canvas
Canvas was selected as the sole learning management system (LMS) for all UMass Amherst courses, replacing Moodle and Blackboard by Summer 2025.
- Log in to Canvas
- Learn how to access the Canvas Mobile App
Timeline for moving to Canvas:
The Provost's Canvas Transition page is the best resource for up-to-date information and a full picture of the migration process and timeline.
Important Upcoming Dates :
- Friday, May 3: Deadline for concierge migration requests for Fall 2024
How to Transition to Canvas
- If you are teaching a course for the very first time or if you'd prefer to start from scratch you can just use a blank Canvas course shell.
- You can ask that your existing course be exported out of Moodle or Blackboard and into Canvas. This is known as a content-copy migration and usually takes about 3 days to complete.
- Or you can opt for concierge migration. This process is highly recommended for Moodle courses - especially those with large question banks or complex quiz structures.
Not sure which migration process is best for your needs? Watch this short video on how to request a Canvas shell in SPIRE and select a content migration option or feel free to contact abellafiore [at] umass [dot] edu (April Bellafiore), CNS Director of Multi-Modal Education.
Already migrated content? Review the Migration Checklist and check for any Action Needed Flags.
Faculty Resources
All faculty members have a Canvas Sandbox (development space) where they can experiment and try out the system. Everyone is also enrolled in the Canvas UMass Instructor Training site that contains how tos, links to sample courses, and other helpful resources.
- NEW: Canvas Tutorials for CNS Faculty
- On-demand Canvas training modules
- Comparison of Canvas/Moodle/Blackboard
- Canvas Transition Frequently Asked Questions
- Getting Started in Your Canvas Sandbox
- Register for upcoming IDEAS Canvas workshops
- Get help with Canvas
Open Moodle and Canvas Catalog
If you or your department has used Open Moodle previously you will be transitioning to Canvas Catalog. Catalog is designed for use by community based projects and other courses requiring enrollment of external participants (individuals without UMass credentials). Although Catalog uses the same Learning Management System as academic courses (Canvas), they are entirely separate services.
Learn more about Canvas Catalog and request a course using the Catalog Request Form.
CNS and Canvas
- During Summer 2023, 10 CNS sections used Canvas.
- In Fall 2023 328 CNS sections used Canvas. This includes sections of all types - lectures, seminars, practicums, colloquium classes, and labs.
- For Spring 2024 there are 360 sections scheduled to use Canvas as of 1/24/24.
Student Support
The best way for students to figure out which courses are in which learning management system (LMS) is to log into SPIRE and View My Classes. The image below shows that under each class it is indicated which LMS is used. Students can click on the link that says "This is a Canvas Class" to go directly to the appropriate system.
IT has created A Quick Tour of Canvas for Students and students can learn more through by visiting the Canvas Overivew for Students.