Category: faculty

Email sent to instructors using Canvas – August 14, 2024

Good morning. 

I would like to address some questions raised regarding the ability to combine class sections within the University’s learning management systems (LMS), Blackboard and Canvas. 

Each semester, a small number of faculty combine individual class sections to streamline section management; however, the act of combining non-cross-listed sections poses a risk under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Our students’ schedules are considered non-directory information, and we must work to retain the privacy of students beyond their individual course sections. 

While faculty may continue to combine non-cross-listed sections, we need your assistance to ensure the protection of student rights and privacy. Faculty combining sections are expected to clearly inform students that their course is part of a combined section and ensure that sensitive information such as grades and personal details are not shared across sections.  

When combining sections in the LMS, utilize group settings to maintain section-specific communications. Additional information and resources can be found here: https://its.gmu.edu/knowledge-base/canvas-combining-sections/ 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions. 

Thanks. 

Doug 

Doug McKenna 
University Registrar 
http://registrar.gmu.edu/

Dear Colleagues, 

As the summer begins winding down, we are pleased to provide this month’s updates about the Canvas migration. As a reminder, all fall courses will be in Blackboard unless you choose to use Canvas. For those eager to use Canvas in the fall 2024 semester, complete this opt-in form. New course sites could take up to three days to appear in Canvas after you submit your request.


Canvas Course Types

There are several types of courses in Canvas you should be aware of as you begin navigating the new platform. They include:

• Semester: created through Banner/Patriot Web and populated with your enrolled students.
• Sandboxes: instructors can explore the tools and features of Canvas without disturbing a course used for instruction. It can also be used to prepare courses and/or modules before copying them into live courses.
• Migrated: copies of Blackboard courses transferred to Canvas through an automated process. These courses are not accessible to students and contain no student data.
• Development: for the development of a course expected to be used as a source course for most sections of a course – often managed by a department/course coordinator or course designer. The course is jointly accessible and is not tied to one specific user.
• Community: available for activities that support student training, student program or degree resources, student cohort sites, and instructional technology training. Please note for community sites, your intended use must meet the Canvas Use Guidelines.

Requests for these courses can be submitted here.

Course Migration Files

The first wave of course migrations is complete and includes recent courses from summer 2022 through spring 2024 and additional courses identified by individual instructors. The next opportunity to identify courses that have not already been migrated is September. This wave will be an opportunity for Blackboard Organizations activities to be transitioned as an approved use of Canvas. To learn more about the automated migrations, visit the project website.

Fall 2024 Activities

• Training & Support: Sign up for the Canvas Bootcamp on August 13, 14 & 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily via Zoom. The recordings of the June bootcamp can be found in the “Growing with Canvas” course in your Canvas course list. Sign up here.
  Also, 24/7 support is available within the Canvas platform by logging into Canvas at Mason and clicking “Help” on the bottom left. You can also review additional training and support resources.
• Student Communications: for the next two semesters students will need to navigate the possibility of using both learning management systems simultaneously. While the project team is preparing a communication plan to help orient students for the fall, we encourage all faculty, regardless of the LMS, to include this information in any communications to students enrolled in your courses.

As always, we appreciate your continued support and attention as Canvas is implemented. We encourage you to visit https://info.canvas.gmu.edu/getting-started-faculty/ where you will find many useful resources for instructors, whether you are transitioning this fall or in the spring. As always, we invite you to contact the project team at [email protected] with questions or concerns.

Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Mason Online
Office of the Provost 

Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services

Dear Colleagues, 

We are pleased to share that the first migration of Blackboard courses is complete and your migrated course sites are now available in Canvas. Remember, recent courses taught between summer 2022 and spring 2024 and select courses identified by faculty earlier this spring were migrated from Blackboard.  

For those who have opted-in to use Canvas this fall, live course sites will be created in Canvas in the next few weeks. You will then be able to copy course content from these migrated courses into your live fall courses. We strongly encourage you to visit the project website to learn more about automated migrations including frequently asked questions and the migrated course cleanup guide. 

Please note that courses that are part of Wiley programs were migrated separately. You will hear from Wiley directly as they update the courses for Canvas. 

Canvas  Support and Training 

We have compiled a comprehensive list of training resources designed to facilitate a smooth and efficient adoption of Canvas. These resources are designed to help you navigate the platform and integrate your course materials. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the following training opportunities to ensure a seamless transition to Canvas. 

• Register for the next Canvas Bootcamp on August 13, 14 & 15. Recordings from previous Boot Camp sessions will be made available in the Growing with Canvas training course next week. 
• 24/7 Canvas Support is available within the Canvas platform by logging into Canvas at Mason  and clicking “Help” on the bottom left. You can also review additional training and support resources.  
• The Canvas Training Services Portal is a comprehensive resource to help faculty effectively use Canvas. It offers self-paced courses, live webinars, on-demand videos, and interactive guides for faculty to learn about Canvas at their own pace, stay updated on new features, and implement best practices in their teaching. 
• Getting Started for Faculty lists all training resources, helps you download the Canvas mobile app, and keeps you up to date on the project timeline. 

All fall courses will be created in Blackboard unless you choose to use Canvas. To date, more than 1000 courses across every school, college, and campus will be using Canvas in Fall 2024. For those who are still interested in transitioning to Canvas in the Fall 2024 semester, complete this opt-in form. Fall Canvas courses will be created in the next few weeks. 

Finally, if you do not see a course you thought was going to be migrated, please contact the project team at [email protected] with the course information. 

Warm Regards, 

Charles Kreitzer 
Executive Director, Mason Online 
Office of the Provost 

Joy Taylor 
Executive Director, Learning Support Services 
Information Technology Services 

Dear Colleagues,

Canvas, George Mason University’s new Learning Management System, has officially launched, and all instructional faculty now have access to Canvas – including a sandbox course site to practice in and the Growing with Canvas course to begin learning how Canvas works. Additional sandboxes can be requested later this summer.

How to Log in to Canvas and Access Your Sandbox Site:

• Go to Canvas at Mason
• Log in with your Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password (plus Duo Mobile for security) 

Explore Getting Started for Faculty training resources, download the Canvas mobile app, and review the project timeline. We will continue adding training and support opportunities as they are developed.

Canvas Training Services Portal

Get to know the Canvas Training Services Portal, a comprehensive resource to help faculty effectively use Canvas. It offers self-paced courses, live webinars, on-demand videos, and interactive guides for faculty to learn about Canvas at their own pace, stay updated on new features, and implement best practices in their teaching.

Canvas Support and Training

Sign up for a Canvas Bootcamp on June 25, 26 & 27, August 13, 14 & 15, or December 3, 4 & 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day via Zoom. Sessions will be recorded and made available. Also, 24/7 support is available within the Canvas platform by logging into Canvas at Mason and clicking “Help” on the bottom left. You can also review additional training and support resources.

Opting into Canvas for Fall 2024

All fall courses will be in Blackboard unless you choose to use Canvas. For those eager to use Canvas in the Fall 2024 semester, complete this opt-in form. Please note that migrated course sites will not be available until late June 2024.

Course Migration Files

Bb-to-Canvas course migration files will not be available until late June 2024. Once available, migrated courses or selections of content can be copied into your live fall courses. Visit our website to learn more about automated migrations.

Thank you for your participation and support throughout this project.

Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Mason Online
Office of the Provost

Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services 

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the official launch of Canvas, George Mason University’s new Learning Management System! The LMS Project Team has been working through early set-up activities and we are excited to invite all instructional faculty members to begin exploring its features.

How to Log in to Canvas:

• Go to Canvas at Mason
• Log in with your Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password (plus Duo Mobile for security) 

Explore our Getting Started for Faculty training resources, download the mobile app, and review the project timeline. We will continue adding training and support opportunities as they are developed.

Sandbox Environments

Starting today, each instructional faculty member has been provided a personal Canvas sandbox. This space is designed to acquaint you with the new system, develop your courses, collaborate on content, and smooth out any issues in a secure environment. If you need more than one sandbox course, we will begin accepting requests for additional courses starting in July 2024.

You also will see Growing with Canvas in your Canvas dashboard, a self-paced training course designed to orient faculty to Canvas. Recommended training pathways are available for your review to help you get started.

Opting into Canvas for Fall 2024

All fall courses will be in Blackboard unless you choose to use Canvas. For those eager to use Canvas in the Fall 2024 semester, complete this opt-in form. Please note that course sites will not be available until late June 2024. Once available, migrated courses or selections of content can be copied into your live fall courses. Visit our website to learn more about automated migrations.

We encourage academic units to have intentional conversations about their overall transition to Canvas. Sections with multiple labs, cross listing, recitation sections, and other unique scheduling needs should consider transitioning as a department to mitigate the impact on students.

We particularly invite the following faculty groups to consider opting into Canvas this fall:

1. Those who are new to George Mason
2. Those with prior experience using Canvas
3. Those who are developing new courses for Fall 2024 and beyond 

Need Assistance?

24/7 support is available within the Canvas platform by clicking “Help.” You can also review additional training and support resources. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and are excited about the new opportunities Canvas will bring to your courses.

Thank you for your participation and support throughout this project.

Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Mason Online
Office of the Provost

Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services

Dear Colleagues: 

As the semester winds down, we would like to provide an update on the Canvas implementation, including information on course migrations and how to opt in to use Canvas for your courses in the fall 2024 semester.

Blackboard Course Migrations

The first wave of Blackboard to Canvas course migrations will begin at the end of this semester and include the most recent section of courses taught by each instructor from the summer 2022 to spring 2024 semesters. Course migrations will copy all instructor-added content in Blackboard courses to a course in Canvas. These courses can be used as a source to copy content into your live course whenever you decide to start teaching with Canvas.

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 25, you will receive a personalized email with a list of your “pre-selected” courses and a list of other course sites tied to you in Blackboard. You can select up to five additional courses from this section to migrate during this first wave. The email will be sent from “LMS Implementation Project <[email protected]>, with the subject “Canvas Course Migration Selection Site.”

To be included in this first wave of migrations, this form must be submitted by Monday, May 6. However, pre-selected courses will migrate to Canvas even if you do not complete the form. You will be notified when the migrations are available in Canvas in June, and you will be provided access to guides for navigating your migrated courses in Canvas. For detailed information, visit the website.

Interest in Canvas for Fall 2024

If you are interested in teaching one or more courses in Canvas in fall 2024, the opt-in form will be available in the coming weeks. Please note that course sites will not be available until June 2024. Once available, migrated courses or selections of content can be copied into your live fall courses. 

While all faculty can opt-in, we encourage the following groups to consider using Canvas this fall: (1) faculty who are new to Mason, (2) faculty with previous experience teaching in Canvas, and/or (3) faculty developing new courses for fall 2024 and beyond.

Canvas Access and Sandboxes

Each faculty member will automatically be provided a Canvas sandbox in the coming weeks. Sandboxes are a safe space to explore Canvas, design courses, collaborate on content, and resolve potential issues before going live. Additional sandbox courses can be requested beginning in July 2024.

As always, we encourage you to visit the project website, https://info.canvas.gmu.edu, for updates and other important information, including links to training, quick-start guides, and FAQs. Thank you for your continued cooperation and engagement throughout this process.

Charles Kreitzer    
Executive Director, Mason Online  
Office of the Provost    

Joy Taylor    
Executive Director, Learning Support Services    
Information Technology Services    

Message sent to faculty:

Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to provide you with this month’s update on the progress of the Canvas implementation.

Canvas Access and Sandbox Courses

The project team anticipates sandbox spaces will be available by late April. These environments allow instructors to experiment with Canvas functionalities, refine their skills, and create engaging materials for future classes. They are separate from course shells that will be created for live courses. Self-paced training opportunities will be available when the sandbox courses are generated. Synchronous training opportunities and support from Canvas Mentor Faculty will be available through the summer and fall.

Course Migrations

In mid-April, faculty will receive an email with a list of pre-selected Blackboard courses that will be migrated to Canvas with the option to choose additional Blackboard courses. These migrated courses will be available in Canvas in early June.

Fall 2024 Courses in Canvas

Faculty may opt-in to Canvas for one or more fall 2024 course(s) later this semester; however, migrated course content will not be available until June. Once available, migrated courses can be copied into your live fall courses.

We encourage the following groups to consider using Canvas this fall:

1. Faculty who are new to Mason
2. Faculty with previous experience teaching in Canvas
3. Faculty developing new courses for fall 2024 and beyond

Blackboard Organizations Retirement

Canvas does not have an equivalent tool to Blackboard Organizations (Bb Orgs). As part of the Canvas implementation, content from Bb Orgs must transition to new locations. The use cases for Bb Orgs are being documented and aligned with other supported technologies; in some cases, Canvas could be the most appropriate solution. The project team will work closely with organization leaders to determine the best tool(s) to transition their activities over the next 12 months.

We encourage you to visit the project website, https://info.canvas.gmu.edu, for project updates, the progress of third-party integrations, timelines, FAQs, and other relevant information. As always, we value your feedback as we refine our Canvas implementation plan. If you have thoughts, please share them at [email protected] or through your school/college’s Advisory Committee representative (https://info.canvas.gmu.edu/committees/).

Thank you for your continued cooperation and engagement throughout this process.

Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Mason Online
Office of the Provost

Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services 
Information Technology Services  

Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to provide you with a monthly update on the progress of the Canvas implementation. Since our last update, the project team has been diligently working to ensure a smooth transition to Canvas as our primary Learning Management System (LMS) in the following areas:

3rd Party App Integrations
We are integrating more than 70 third-party applications, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2024. These integrations span a variety of categories, including enterprise applications such as Zoom and Poll Everywhere, publisher connections like Pearson, and course media solutions like Kaltura. 

Sandbox Courses 
Sandbox course sites serve as dedicated spaces for practicing with Canvas and developing content for forthcoming courses. Anticipated for availability in late April, these environments are for instructors and administrators to experiment with Canvas functionalities, refine their skills, and create engaging materials for future classes.

Fall 2024 Courses in Canvas
For the upcoming fall 2024 semester, we expect 30-40% of courses offered will be hosted in Canvas. In preparation, we strongly encourage specific groups to transition to Canvas for course delivery, including new-to-Mason faculty, instructors with previous experience teaching in Canvas, and those developing new courses during the summer term.

Feedback and Suggestions
We value your feedback and suggestions as we continue refining our Canvas Implementation. If you have thoughts, please share them at info.canvas.gmu.edu or through your school/college’s Advisory Committee representative (https://info.canvas.gmu.edu/committees/). 

Resources and Support
Updated information and resources, including a migration timeline, frequently asked questions, and ongoing project status updates, are available at info.canvas.gmu.edu. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Canvas Implementation Team at [email protected]. 

Thank you for your cooperation and support throughout this process.  

Charles Kreitzer 
Executive Director, Online Operations 
Office of the Provost 

Joy Taylor 
Executive Director, Learning Support Services 
Information Technology Services 

Email sent to Mason faculty

Dear Colleagues,

As was announced before Winter Break, George Mason University is moving its Learning Management System (LMS) from Blackboard Learn to Canvas by Fall 2025. We know many of you would like to get started as soon as possible and work is underway to set up Canvas and ensure you can get started on the right foot. 

Because the transition represents a major change for faculty and students, the campus is taking a phased approach to the rollout to ensure a smooth transition for everyone. 

What will the phases look like? 

• Spring 2024 (Foundations): A cross-functional team is working in earnest to learn, deploy, and configure the new system (which includes over 70 different integrations with tools like Kaltura, Zoom, Poll Everywhere, etc.) and to assemble resources for faculty and students. 
• Summer 2024 (Pilot): Through a call for participation sent at the end of last semester, 126 faculty indicated their interest in the pilot. The list of participants selected has been finalized. This group will pilot course(s) in Canvas, providing feedback on the new system, the course migration process, and our support resources.  
• Summer 2024 (Preparations and Course Migrations): Faculty and students will be invited to access live and asynchronous resources and trainings to familiarize themselves with the opportunities that Canvas provides; faculty may choose to have recent or selected courses from their collection migrated from Blackboard into Canvas where they can make final adjustments. Additional information about the course migration strategy will be shared in the coming weeks. 
• Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 (Initial Implementations): Faculty will be encouraged to complete the switch from Blackboard to Canvas for their courses. Support resources will continue to be available for faculty and students. 

What can faculty do to prepare? 

• February 2024: Identify your unit’s Advisory Committee member; they will be soliciting feedback from their colleagues and communicating essential information. 
• March-April 2024: Watch for Mason migration resources 

• Stearns Center Course Preparation Guide 
• Course Migration Option Descriptions and Instructions 
• Blackboard-to-Canvas Feature Comparison Guide 
• May-August 2024: Begin accessing resources 

• Request course migration support or new Canvas site(s) 
• Attend synchronous workshops 
• Consult with Mason Canvas mentors 
• Explore recommended videos and guides from Canvas Commons
• September 2024-December 2025: Full support and migrations continue 

As we develop resources to assist faculty and students with the transition, you can find updated information and resources, including a migration timeline, frequently asked questions, and ongoing project status at http://info.canvas.gmu.edu. 

Charles Kreitzer
Executive Director, Online Operations
Office of the Provost
  
Joy Taylor
Executive Director, Learning Support Services
Information Technology Services

Email sent to Mason community

Dear Colleagues: 

After a multi-layered and comprehensive process, we are happy to announce the selection of Canvas by Instructure as George Mason University’s new Learning Management System (LMS).  

Throughout the Request for Proposal process, the engagement from groups across the university was invaluable in making this selection, and we are immensely grateful for everyone’s participation and patience during the negotiation of the contract. Feedback from the vendor demonstrations this spring showed that the Mason community overwhelmingly preferred the functionality, ease of use, and integrated tools offered by Canvas over the other solutions.  

Additionally, many in the Mason community are already familiar with Canvas: 

• 63% of faculty who responded to the LMS survey indicated they have previously used Canvas 
• 72% of students surveyed indicated they have previously used Canvas 
• 70% of R1 institutions use Canvas; In Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area, Canvas schools include American University, Georgetown, James Madison University, Marymount University, Northern Virginia Community College, Old Dominion University, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech 

An implementation team of diverse members of the Mason community has been established to ensure a smooth transition. Because this shift in LMS providers is a major change for the entire university, a phased approach will be utilized to aid with the rollout and adoption of the new platform. The implementation phase is scheduled to officially kick off in January 2024. 

While additional details will be shared with the community in the coming weeks, a high-level timeline for the implementation process includes: 

·         Spring 2024: System setup, configuration, and testing 

·         Summer 2024: Limited pilot 

·         Fall 2024: First wave of courses migrated to Canvas 

·         Spring 2025: Remaining courses migrated to Canvas 

·         Fall 2025: Final move to Canvas; Blackboard no longer available 

Throughout the transition, comprehensive training, various resources, and hands-on assistance will be available to aid the Mason community. For up-to-date information about the project, including governance committees, timelines, FAQs, and information on how you can participate visit info.canvas.gmu.edu. 

Thank you again for the input and support in making this decision for the university. Email questions to the implementation team at [email protected]. 

Ken Walsh, PhD                                                                       Jackie Ferree 
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President                        Senior Vice President, Operations and Business Services