Canvas Transition FAQ's

Canvas is a web-based learning management system (LMS) produced by Instructure. 

 It is used by learning institutions, educators, and students to access and manage online course learning materials and communicate skill development and learning achievement. 

Canvas includes a variety of customizable course creation and management tools, course and user analytics and statistics, and internal communication tools. See a Sample Canvas Course.

Effective Summer 2023, Canvas becomes the only LMS available to UH instructors. UH Blackboard will be unavailable to all users, except Bb admins*, on June 1, 2023**. All Summer Mini, Summer and Fall courses will be hosted on Canvas, and can be requested via the Course Request System (CRS). 

**The June 1, 2023 was chosen to be ahead of the regular summer sessions and after all spring sessions are concluded. 

*June 1, UH Blackboard Learn will become unavailable. 

As the Blackboard team works on the Canvas implementation, you can get started by deciding whether to get your Blackboard course content migrated into Canvas or to start from scratch in Canvas. Below you can find more information about each option.

Importing/transferring your course content from Bb:

1. Before getting your course content migrated to Canvas :

   1. • Clean your Bb shell to reduce the course size (Large courses do not transfer well):

      • Delete unused or duplicate files

      • Move video and audio to other storage options such as UH OneDrive or SharePoint

      • Check your Bb course and make sure content is accessible 

      • Remove  or consolidate nested folder structures (Sub-folders do not migrate well to Canvas). 

      • Fix accessibility issues and create accessiblecourse materials PPT)

      • Review the What to expect when your course is migrated (video) that shows what to expect when your course is migrated from Blackboard to Canvas.

2. Once your content has been migrated to  Canvas, check the Canvas Automatic Content Import page or the Canvas Manual Content Import page for step-by-step instructions to begin working with your imported content.

3. To learn more about Canvas visit the UH Canvas Tutorials and Online Canvas Guide and register for the upcoming Canvas training on the  FDIS Learning Opportunities calendar.

4. To get familiar with Canvas tools and features, request a new development (DEV) space from the transition team at canvas@uh.edu. Note: Only instructors that are participating in the spring soft launch will have courses created in the sandbox. Other instructors can request DEV courses in early January (TBD).

Starting from scratch:

1. Make sure the course content that you create is accessible (PPT)

2. Check the Building content from scratch in Canvas page for a checklist to prepare your course.

3. To learn more about Canvas visit the UH Canvas Tutorials and Online Canvas Guide and register for the upcoming Canvas training on the  FDIS Learning Opportunities calendar.

4. To get familiar with Canvas tools and features, request a new development (DEV) space from the transition team at canvas@uh.edu. Note: Only instructors that are participating in the spring soft launch will have courses created in the sandbox. Other instructors can request DEV courses in early January (TBD).  

Interested in some differences between Blackboard Learn and Canvas? Feel free to check out this Blackboard/Canvas Comparison Guide.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contac the NSM-IT Educational Technology and Multimedia Team.

• • Visit the Canvas Instructor Guide for guides and answers to specific tools and features in Canvas.

• • View more Canvas tutorials at the Instruction@UH Knowledgebase. 

• • Visit the NSM-IT Canvas Site for tips and guides.

Whether you are new to Canvas or have used the system before, there are many opportunities available to learn more about the tools and features Canvas offers. 

• • Visit the FDIS Learning Opportunities calendar to register for webinars, workshops, and online courses for all faculty and staff.

• Contact the NSM Instructional Designers for 1-on-1 or group consultations:

  1. • Andrea Arias-Rodriguez: aariasr2@central.uh.edu . 713.743.6175

     • Ngozi Onwuama: nuonwuam@central.uh.edu . 713.743.9491

• Visit the NSM-IT Educational Technology and Multimedia Team during Virtual Office hours: 10:30am -11:30am Tu-Fr (Meeting Link)

• Visit the NSM Educational Technology Training site to request a training session.

1. You can request a Developmental and Special Course Shell  for the course that you will be teaching in Fall 2024 or later. If you wish to import content from Blackboard to Canvas, select "Yes" in question 7 and enter information about the course in question 8. Once you have access to the DEV course in Canvas, you may organize it as you see fit, and the Canvas Admin team can then copy it into an academic semester Canvas shell with student enrollment in Fall 2024. 
   
   Some things to consider:

   1. Bb imported content does not map seamlessly to Canvas so it would be better to go back to the original Blackboard version and prepare it for migration. The following guides provide step-by-step instructions:

      • Preparing Your Course for Canvas Migration 

      • Integrating Automatically Imported Blackboard Content in Canvas

   2. As Blackboard courses will no longer be viewable after May 31, 2023, requesting a DEV shell now can help you determine whether any content needs to be recreated. The article Integrating Imported Blackboard Content in Canvas explains what to expect when your course is migrated. 

   3. In Canvas, course content can be organized using Modules or Pages. Please visit How can I effectively use and organize my Canvas course? for more information.

   4. To get started with Canvas, please refer to the following resources:  

      • Watch the Canvas: What to expect when your course is migrated (video)

      • Watch the Getting Started with Canvas training Part 1 and Part 2.  

      • Visit the Integrating Automatically Imported Blackboard Content in Canvas guide for step-by-step instructions on configuring your course.

      • For support and additional assistance:

        • Consult with us to discuss your course design, either through Teams chat, our contact us form, or face to face at Fleming Room 127.  

        • Join the Canvas Soft Launch team where you can post your questions, review the Tip and Resources for Canvas and communicate with other instructors and Canvas transition support staff.

        • Learn more about Canvas at  FDIS Tutorials

        • Attend a FDIS Training 

        • Attend a Canvas Training using the Canvas Training Portal

        • Visit the Organizing Your Canvas Course and Canvas Transition FAQ's pages for information on how to organize your Canvas course.  

        • Attend the Canvas Soft Launch Office Hours every Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  

   5. For questions about how to use Canvas or any issues you can get help with Canvas by using the Canvas Help menu which generates a list of resources (e.g., 24/7 chat, report problem, trainig services portal) to help you with Canvas.