University of North Texas Switches to Canvas

Canvas is a learning management system that describes itself as “a way to simplify teaching and connecting all the digital tools teachers use in one easy place.” Major colleges such as Arizona State University, Ohio State University, Dartmouth College, and Indiana University use Canvas as their main learning management system. The closest local community college, North Central Texas College, is also a Canvas school.

UNT chose to make the switch from Blackboard to Canvas after Blackboard announced a new product and system. UNT has been using Blackboard as its learning management system since 1998 and their new five year contract with Canvas began on September 1st, 2017.

So far only a few courses at UNT are using Canvas. Most of these courses are business, politics, and marketing related. Professors are able to request their course be migrated to Canvas by filling out an online request form that simply requires the professors contact information, course information, and what semester they would like their course on Canvas.

While Canvas’ features seem like a perfect fit for students and professors, transitioning from one LMS to another comes with challenges. Most professors and students who are on Canvas during this Spring 2018 semester have only one class on the system with multiple other classes still on Blackboard. Multiple student sources said it could be difficult to remeember to check Canvas when all their other courses are still on Blackboard. Some students who are taking a Canvas class simply prefer the layout of Blackboard.

UNT senior Alex Vale, a marketing major, is in Marketing 3720, one of the courses that has been transfered to Canvas. Vale is in his final semester at UNT and said he has not enjoyed using Canvas for just one class.

“Blackboard provides everything in a much simpler format” said Vale. “It’s so much easier to navigate.” Vale also stated that his professor has had a hard time with the transition as well, which has caused the class to fall behind.

UNT junior Travis Case has had an especially hard time because his professor uses both Canvas and a personal website for his class.

“I always feel like I’m forgetting to check something” said Case. “It’s hard to not have all my school in one spot.”

While not everyone is happy about the Canvas switch, some students are wishing they had been part of the early transition. Senior Cooper Thanisch, who is also in his final year at UNT, was introduced to Canvas when he took Summer classes at North Central Texas College.

“I enjoyed Canvas when I was at NCTC. The grade what-if tool was helpful to know what grades would be most important and calculating your final grade was much easier. I wish UNT switched to Canvas earlier since I’ll have graduated by the time its done.” said Thanisch.

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