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Canvas Support

Welcome to the Penn Libraries Canvas Pilot Project.

Canvas is a new learning management system (LMS) developed by Salt Lake City-based Instructure. Despite its youth, Canvas already includes several major LMS tools within a more modern interface than many of its competitors. Canvas is known for its user-friendly online environment and ability to easily connect instructors and students both in and out of the classroom. Canvas includes basic LMS functionality for managing enrollments, sharing documents, submitting assignments, and assigning grades, as well as personalized features for individual students.

The Penn Libraries are evaluating Canvas as part of an ongoing effort to determine the courseware system(s) that best meet the University's needs. The Penn Libraries Canvas Pilot Project has been part of that process.

How is Canvas different from Blackboard?

• A clean, user-friendly interface
• A dashboard page that quickly summarizes assignments, announcements and other relevant information across course sites
• Customizable notifications:  students can get alerts via email, text message or social media at the frequency they desire
• A working calendar that can be added to Google Calendar, iCal or other popular calendar tools
• Synchronous online communication via Collaborations and Conferences
• Support for media content
• The power of the cloud: quicker fixes, ongoing development

How can I learn more about Canvas?

• CNVS 001. An Introduction to Canvas: A Canvas course about Canvas. No login required.
• Instructure's Canvas Instructor Guide: Detailed documentation from the vendor
• From Blackboard to Canvas: A summary of the differences in workflow from one system to the other.

For additional information, you can email us at canvas@pobox.upenn.edu.