LMS Transition: Canvas Frequently Asked Questions

General Canvas Questions

What is the timetable for the transition?

Since the Spring 2023 announcement that Canvas will become the single learning management system (LMS) at UMass Amherst, the University has gradually transitioned away Moodle and Blackboard. For Fall 2024, the majority of courses will be taught in Canvas. An exception form is available for requests to teach in Moodle. As of Summer 2024, Blackboard is retired. As of Summer 2025, all courses will be taught in Canvas. See the timeline.

 

I have questions about the transition. Who should I contact?

If you have a question about the move to Canvas or how to use Canvas for your courses, please email instruct@umass.edu

 

What other universities use Canvas?

Canvas is now the leading learning management system for higher education institutions, with more than 3,000 universities now using Canvas instead of other platforms like Moodle and Blackboard.  

 

 

Instructor Canvas Questions

I've started developing for the upcoming semester in Moodle/Blackboard. What should I do? 

Reach out to instruct@umass.edu to find the right solution for you and your course.  

 

When do I need to move to Canvas?

Instructors are only able to request Canvas courses in SPIRE starting with Fall 2024 requests, with Moodle courses available with an exception approved by your School or College’s Dean.

We encourage you to consult with your dean in case your School or College has defined its own timeline for transitioning existing courses to Canvas. 

 

Which course migration option should I choose?

Decide which of the following what you are looking for: 

Concierge Migration (Deadline for requesting concierge migration is Friday, May 3, 2024)

  • A professional migration service will transfer your course content and fix many of the issues that show up in manual content-copy migrations.  

  • This may take several weeks from the deadlines listed above. 

  • Your migrated content will be put into a development course where you can work on it.  

  • When you are ready, you can request an official course in SPIRE and then import this migrated content into your official SPIRE course.  

 
Content-Copy Migration 

  • UMass Amherst LMS administrators will export your course from Moodle/Blackboard and then import it into a Canvas development course. Multiple imports may be necessary if your course files are over 1.5 GB.  

  • This may take up to 3 business days. 

  • This will likely result in migration problems that need to be fixed before you teach. We recommend selecting “concierge migration” instead. 

  • When you are ready, you can request an official course in SPIRE to copy content into.   

To see more details on Concierge Migration, Content-Copy Migration, and Build-It Yourself migration, refer to our page detailing the different migration options.  

Use this form to request either Concierge or Content-Copy Migration: Request form. 

 

I have requested course migration – does that mean I’m ready to teach next semester? 

Migrated courses are not linked to SPIRE. Your migrated content will be put into a development course where you can see and work on it. When you are ready, you can request an official course in SPIRE and then import this migrated content into your official SPIRE course. Please reach out to instruct@umass.edu if you have any questions. 

 

 

Links have appeared in my course navigation that I have no use for–what do I do?

Sometimes this happens when a new external tool is integrated into Canvas. You can change what is available or hidden to your students, and even set the order that tabs appear in by going to Settings > Navigation and dragging items between the ‘visible’ and ‘not visible’ buckets. Remember to click Save to see your changes. Learn more here. 

 

What training support will be available for instructors and TAs?

If you need help with your Canvas course, the IDEAS team is here to support you. 

 

Does Canvas integrate with external tools such as Turnitin and others?

We currently have Turnitin, Echo360, Zoom, iClicker, and other common external tools, with the possibility of even more. View the full list of external tools here. 

 

How long will I have access to my course archives in Moodle and Blackboard?

  • Instructors will have access to course archives in Moodle and Blackboard through Spring 2025.

  • Instructors will need to backup their Moodle and Blackboard course content by the end of the Spring 2025 semester before it becomes inaccessible.

 

How do I integrate Zoom and/or Echo360 in Canvas?

Echo360, Zoom, and other external tools can be added to Canvas just as they can be connected to Moodle or Blackboard. For step by step instructions to add these tools, see the Canvas Training and Resources course Training Modules – External Tools in Canvas 

 

How does quizzing work in Canvas?

Canvas, like most learning management systems, has several activities for assessing student work and mastery, including Quizzes, Assignments, Discussion Boards, and more. For step-by-step instructions on creating assessment activities, see the modules for each activity type in the Canvas Training and Resources course – Training Modules 

 

Do I retain control and ownership of my intellectual property when using Canvas?

UMass Amherst considers the course content you have created to be your intellectual property unless otherwise stated by your school or department.  

 

Can I request customizations to the Canvas LMS?

The UMass campus is reviewing customization/special requests that were made in 2023. Additional requests are also being tracked. Customizations under review (as well as external tool integration status') can be found on the LTI Tool and Request Form page.

Looking for the Student FAQ? Visit our Canvas FAQ for Students page. 

Seal of The University of Massachusetts Amherst - 1863
©2024 University of Massachusetts Amherst · Site Policies · Accessibility