As has been communicated in previous announcements, TUC and TUN will begin to transition from Blackboard to Canvas as the TCUS Learning Management System (LMS). Blackboard will still be available for instructors to access courses and necessary content information until June 30, 2019. To help facilitate the transition to Canvas at TUC and TUN, a TWD Transition Task Force (TTF) has been established with Drs. Michael Barbour and Jim O’Connor as co-chairs.
Over the course of the next year, the co-chairs will be responsible for the following general tasks at both TUC and TUN:
- Dr. Barbour has had significant experience in converting courses from Blackboard to Canvas, as well as in developing the instructional design of courses using both of these LMS’s. He will provide coordination, training support, and general assistance with instructional design. He will also coordinate TWD activities with those of the TCUS transition team.
- In his dual roles as co-chair of TTF and as TWD Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Dr. O’Connor will work with faculty of TUC and TUN to introduce new pedagogical approaches and the preparation of enhanced learning materials using Canvas as a LMS.
- The co-chairs and the TTF members will also plan and coordinate training and create timelines for transition activities with college and school Canvas champions on both campuses.
In addition to the TTF, there will be a group of Canvas champions that will be designated in various colleges, schools, and programs at TUC and TUN. The champions will act as points of contact for their respective units, and will also be responsible for the following:
- Attending regular Champion meetings via Zoom;
- Attending a one to two day Canvas training in May/June (dates and times TBD);
- Assisting faculty with the use of Canvas in their respective programs;
- Sharing pertinent Canvas related information with faculty, students, and staff in their respective programs; and
- Reporting any issues and/or challenges regarding Canvas to the transition task force.
The deans will identify individuals to serve as college Canvas champions. During the Summer and Fall semesters, Canvas workshops offered will target outreach to TUC and TUN faculty and students. The transition task force and the local champions will work collaboratively with the TCUS Instructional Technology Canvas team to design, and conduct trainings for both students and faculty. Workshops/trainings will be offered in the following formats:
- Synchronous sessions via Zoom and in-person;
- Self-paced orientation and training courses available in Canvas;
- Asynchronous exploration of the Canvas community (guides, Live!, and discussions); and
- Self-paced Touro-created student and faculty guides.
These training opportunities will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact Jim O’Connor (jim.oconnor@tu.edu) or Michael Barbour (Michael.barbour@tu.edu) directly.
Sarah M. Sweitzer, PhD
Provost, CAO
Touro University California