SFU has begun a phased implementation of Canvas, the university’s new learning management system (LMS), which will completely replace the old WebCT system by early next year.

The first stage began this semester with the addition of eight pilot courses to the new LMS, the software platform SFU teachers use to manage, document, track, report and deliver course material to students.

This summer, the Canvas project team will add courses involving as many as 5,000 students to the system as part of an extended pilot. And by fall, half of all LMS-based courses will use Canvas.

Lynda Williams, manager of learning technology in the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC), is leading the team members who will provide training and support to instructors working with the new LMS.

Williams suggests instructors should “start preparing, in canvas, as soon as their schedules allow,” as WebCT will be retired by spring 2014.

As for old WebCT content, she says it will remain accessible to instructors on a read-only basis.

Williams says teachers can already request Canvas course shells and for WebCT instructors she says most of the work has already been done.

“All the WebCT content has been converted. It’s sitting on the server now, translated into Canvas and ready to be imported by the instructors.”

Teachers have a range of options for help learning the course-development process, including:

• Individual support from learning technology specialists.
• Online documentation at www.sfu.ca/canvas.
• “Explore Canvas” workshops at all three campuses over the next three months along with specialized workshops on topics such as Canvas Gradebook.

Students will find Canvas support at IT help desks on all three campuses and in the library at SFU Burnaby.

Williams also invites departments and units to contact her for custom training options.

For more info, visit: www.sfu.ca/canvas or email learntech@sfu.ca and ask to meet with a technology specialist.

Related story: One instructor’s Canvas experience