Fall 2013 Setup - Blackboard & Canvas

Instructors: Do you plan to use Blackboard or Canvas for your Fall 2013 class? This page describes the process we have in place for this semester.

What are Blackboard and Canvas? They are two different Learning Management Systems (LMS) that we use at Biola to provide an optional online space for class activities such as exchanging documents, online discussions, and managing course grades. Biola is making a year-long transition from Blackboard to Canvas during the 2013/2014 school year.

In general, we are suggesting that instructors continue to use Blackboard for Fall 2013, but during that semester, begin to experiment with and learn Canvas, then plan to use Canvas instead of Blackboard for your Spring 2014 courses. Blackboard will be available until July 31, 2014. For instructors new to Biola or new to using an LMS: we suggest using Canvas rather than Blackboard, so you won't have to make a transition later.

To Use Blackboard for a Fall 2013 Course

The process is the same as in the past: you'll need to fill out a simple form to tell us which class(es) you plan to use on Blackboard. Start with this Summary Class Schedule, find your class, and click "Add" then fill out the form on the next page. Your class should then appear on Blackboard in the next day or two. See more detailed instructions here: https://sites.google.com/a/biola.edu/blackboard-news/instructions/request-course-creation

Blackboard Login: http://biola.blackboard.com (Username is your ID NUMBER, Password is your Blackboard Password)

Pros & Cons:

• Blackboard Pro: Familiar (if you've used it before)
• Blackboard Pro: We have more help pages prepared
• Blackboard Con: Biola won't have Blackboard next year
• Blackboard Con: Not quite as easy to use as Canvas

To Use Canvas for a Fall 2013 Course

We have already created all Fall 2013 courses on Canvas. You can already log in and see your courses there. We created all courses so that you will have a chance to experiment and learn Canvas. By default, classes will not be visible to students. To make your class visible to students, fill out a form to let us know. See more detailed instructions here: Setting Up Your Course on Canvas.

Canvas Login: http://canvas.biola.edu (Username & Password is your Net ID - same as my.Biola.edu login)

Pros & Cons:

• Canvas Pro: You will need to learn to use this by 2014 anyway
• Canvas Pro: Generally easier to learn and more user-friendly than Blackboard
• Canvas Con: New to Biola - so we don't have as much documentation prepared - (but we do have some documentation here)
• Canvas Con: Not much time to learn a new system before school begins