April 28, 2016 St. Joseph’s College will adopt Canvas as its new Learning Management System (LMS) just over a year from now. As of Summer 2017, Canvas will be used within both online and on-ground venues. The advantages of this LMS were not universally shared, as the Faculty Technology Committee reported earlier in the semester. After a successful pilot of Canvas during the last academic year, however, many instructors found that it offers a wide variety of new features and, in particular, that it has real potential to enhance student engagement. In particular, Canvas:
This LMS initiative is a college-wide transition that will impact all modalities of courses taught at SJC: traditional face-to-face, hybrid, online and continuing education courses. By Summer 2017, all faculty members who use a learning management system will use Canvas. There will be a very intentional, well-planned training program in place for all faculty members, regardless of level of use desired. Training for faculty members teaching in fully online courses is already underway, and additional training will be rolled out on May 2, 2016, and continue until full implementation. The College’s current Learning Management System, Blackboard, will continue to be available until June 30, 2017. |