Project Description
Canvas LMS Implementation
Project Background
In the fall of 2013 IT staff began researching Learning Management Systems to determine options for replacing our aging Moodle system. We compared four systems; Blackboard, Desire @ Learn, MoodleRooms Joule, and Canvas. Budgetary constraints eliminated Blackboard and Desire 2 Learn fairly early on in the process which allowed us to focus on MoodleRooms and Canvas. Product demos, extensive communication with the vendors, and input from faculty and administration revealed Canvas as the clear choice.
Faculty Surveys
Two surveys were sent to faculty in March. The first inquired about current Moodle usage, likes and dislikes of the system, wants & needs, & willingness to move to something new. The second survey focused on Canvas and training needs.
Responses about our current Moodle implementation were negative overall. Comments indicated Moodle was
cumbersome, time-consuming, and the needs of faculty and students had outgrown the system. Most faculty stated they used Moodle to store and share documents with students (92%) but only half utilized Moodle’s communication features such as the discussion board (50%). Only 20% reported relying heavily on Moodle to supplement their face-to-face sessions. Descriptive terms used by respondents in their comments included terms such as: “arduous”, “annoying”, “quirky”, “tedious”, “a pain”.
When asked how they felt about moving to a new system if the option was available faculty responded with statements including: “I’m excited about it.”, “I’m all for it.” , “I favor the idea”, “I am flexible”, “great!” and “YES! PLEASE”.
Switching to Canvas
Comments about Canvas were very positive overall. The majority of respondents recommended switching to Canvas. Several faculty members were so ready to get started they volunteered to be part of a pilot group that summer.
No Recommendation/Undecided
14% of respondents had no recommendation.
Moodle/MoodleRooms
No respondents recommended staying with Moodle or switching to MoodleRooms.
Transition Timeline
Spring 2014 Canvas implementation began.
Canvas became available to faculty in April.
Summer 2014 Canvas became available to all; moving to Canvas was still voluntary. Moodle was still available.
Fall 2014 Canvas was available to all; moving to Canvas was mandatory. No new Moodle accounts, courses, or enrollments were created. Faculty and students still had access to download old content from the Moodle server until December 2014. IT will performed one final backup and archive of the Moodle server in early September. All Faculty and and students were told not to upload new content after the final backup and archive.
All faculty were expected to post their syllabus, schedule, and grades at minimum to Canvas in order to provide a consistent user experience for all Bellin students.
Moodle was taken offline December 19th, 2014.