Will photo rosters be available in Canvas?
Yes: starting in fall 2016, Canvas will provide the same photo roster tool that faculty have been using in Classes*v2.
Are there classes that should wait until the 2017-18 academic year before moving to Canvas?
For courses with the following characteristics, we’d suggest that you consult with us before moving to Canvas during the first year of the transition (2016-17):
- large courses with section-specific content and file sharing
- courses with online activities involving right-to-left languages (e.g., Arabic, Hebrew)
- courses that require migration of a significant number of assignments or quizzes from Classes*v2
Why are we moving to Canvas?
Canvas has successfully supported Yale’s distance and hybrid course offerings since 2014, yet it is a challenge for students and instructors to use Classes*v2 for some courses and Canvas for others. A fall 2015 pilot of Canvas showed a significant majority of instructors and students would prefer to use Canvas over Classes*v2 (Sakai). The University has decided to converge on a single platform for all of our courses. In making this decision, we’re following the lead of many of our peers who have recently adopted Canvas as their campus learning management system: this list includes many of our former partners in the Sakai open-source community, such as Stanford, Michigan, and Indiana.
What type of training and support will be available during the transition to Canvas?
Starting in May 2016, the Center for Teaching & Learning will offer Canvas workshops for instructors, orientations for schools and departments, and one-on-one consultation with faculty who will be moving to Canvas. Online self-help materials will also be available, including a self-paced Canvas orientation course for instructors. We will offer the same level of support that has been offered for Classes*v2, with the addition of 24/7/365 support for instructors through our partnership with Instructure, Canvas’s parent company.
How does Canvas compare to Classes*v2?
Canvas has all of the core functionality found in Classes*v2, but there are some differences in the way that each tool works. Please see the Canvas-Classes*v2 Comparison table on the Canvas Tour page for more information. A working list of known differences in functionality between Classes*v2 and Canvas is located here. If you discover that there are things you cannot do in Canvas, please contact us for a consultation: we may be able to identify new ways of achieving the same goals with Canvas.
How do I copy materials from Classes*v2 “Resources” into Canvas?
The simplest way to copy files from Resources is to use the “Compress to ZIP Archive” option within Classes*v2 Resources. Instructions for creating the zip file are available here: http://help.classesv2.yale.edu/m/instructors/l/351972-how-do-i-create-a-zip-archive-file-in-resources
Once you have a .zip file, you can upload it to the Files area of a Canvas site, or your personal Files area (click your name after logging onto Canvas and you’ll find your personal Files). Uploaded zip files will expand automatically within Canvas, and maintain the original file organization.
Will my Canvas syllabus automatically show up on Online Course Information?
Yes, syllabi posted to Canvas’ Syllabus Tool will automatically show up on Online Course Selection, and in Online Course Information for Fall 2016. To find out more about how to post your syllabus to Canvas, please see the following article.
Can I add unofficial participants to my Canvas site, like I do on Classes*v2?
Yes, you can add non-Yale participants to your Canvas site, as you did in Classes*v2. Please email canvas@yale.edu to request a user account be created for any non-Yale participants, including their name and email address, and a member of the Canvas Transition Team will assist you.
I am interested in using Canvas this fall, how do I do this?
Courses will be added to Canvas by request for the Fall 2016 semester. Please complete the add my course to canvas form and then submit the request a consulation form to meet with support staff who can help you get started!
How will students know where to find their course sites if there are some on Classes*v2 and others on Canvas?
During the fall 2016 - spring 2017 academic year, Canvas is an option for faculty to use instead of Classes*v2, and communication will be critical between faculty and students on where to go for their course sites. Both Classes*v2 and Canvas will automatically populate with your official class roster from Banner, giving students access. If you are using Canvas, we suggest that you put instructions in the Classes*v2 copy of your course which indicate that your course will be offered in Canvas platform. If you need assistance with this, please contact canvas@yale.edu.
What about my project sites on Classes*v2?
Project sites on Classes*v2 will remain available for use during the first year of transition to Canvas, while we focus on moving course sites from Classes*v2 to Canvas. A separate transition project will be required for moving projects sites from Classes*v2. If you have project sites on Classes*v2 critical to your teaching, please request a consultation for information and recommendations.
How long can I retain access to student grades, discussions, etc. in my Classes*v2 sites?
Beginning in fall 2017, no new course sites will be created in Classes*v2, but instructors will retain access to legacy Classes*v2 sites for several more years, while a formal archival strategy is developed. If you are concerned about your content in Classes*v2, please contact request a consultation for information and recommendations.
Will Classes*v2 material be archived?
Yes. Classes*v2 will remain available for several more years, and a formal archival strategy is in development at this time. If you are concerned about your content in Classes*v2, please contact request a consultation for a consultation and recommendations.
I have courses on yale.instructure.com or yaleuniversity.instructure.com which will need to be moved. How will this happen?
The Canvas Transition Team has already met with the schools and programs that supported courses on one of the two legacy instances of Canvas, and we are working on a transition plan for moving the sites to http://canvas.yale.edu. Please contact your local Canvas support team member or request a consultation for an updated status of when your course will move.
I have multiple versions of my course saved on Classes*v2, and want to save them all. How should I do this?
Classes*v2 will remain available for several more years, at least, and a formal archival strategy is in development at this time. If you are concerned about your content in Classes*v2, please contact request a consultation for information and recommendations.
What will happen to all of the video and audio files I uploaded to Classes*v2?
Please request a consultation if you have video and audio files you need transferred from Classes*v2 to Canvas, our Canvas Transition Team will be happy to help transfer this content for you.