On December 15, 2020, Canvas officially became the new learning management system at Texas State.
The IT Division led the project management and implementation of Canvas. Still, even before that, we organized calls for proposals from prospective vendors, sent out faculty surveys, formed a university committee to lead the project, and more. Exploration of the idea to get a new learning system for the university started in 2017.
The advisory committee, made up of faculty, staff, and students, recommended that the university choose Canvas from among a group of potential vendors in spring 2019. The purchase was approved in August of that year.
Thus started the great migration. By the fall 2020 semester, the vast majority of courses were being taught in Canvas. The message was clear to everyone, move to the new system and take advantage of improvements in the way you teach using learning systems. So many people have moved into Canvas and embraced its power, and they have done so with enthusiasm.
Many faculty also stepped forward to volunteer for the Canvas Champions program, a group of faculty leaders sharing their Canvas experiences and expertise with their fellow faculty.
Meanwhile, the IT Assistance Center (ITAC) ran Canvas training courses almost weekly in 2020. In addition, faculty attended Camp Canvas – an intense three-day event where users learned how to get started in Canvas and take advantage of its long list of impressive features.
Often changes of this magnitude cause issues. But to the credit of everyone at Texas State, that was not the case. Everyone who asked for help got it. ITAC made sure everyone was ready for the spring 2021 semester. Thanks again to every Bobcat for having made this long transition a positive one.
Written by IT Marketing and Communications staff.