Teaching in Canvas the Way You're Used To

 

This guide will help you map familiar Blackboard workflows to Canvas features
so you can maintain your teaching style while taking advantage of new tools.

Explore Familiar Workflows — Now in Canvas

COMPARING FAMILIAR FEATURES — Blackboard & Canvas 1:1

Feature In Blackboard In Canvas How Canvas Is Different Learn More
Left-Hand Menu Course Menu:
Rename, reorder, and add custom content area links or web links.		 Course Navigation + Redirect Tool Standard tool names are fixed for consistency. Links cannot be renamed, but can be hidden. Custom external links are added via the Redirect Tool. Recording Watch: How to Customize Course Navigation
Organizing Files & Content Content Folders:
Used for deep nesting and hierarchical storage of files.		 Modules:
Organize course materials in a linear instructional sequence.
 Modules prioritize instructional sequence (linear flow) over nested storage. Uses Text Headers and Indentation instead of subfolders. Recording Watch: How to Use Modules in Canvas

Feature In Blackboard In Canvas How Canvas Is Different Learn More
Create Grade Column Grade Center:
Grade columns created in the Grade Center		 Assignments:
Gradebook columns are created automatically 		 Gradebook columns are created when graded activities are added. For offline or manual grading, create an assignment using the No Submission or On Paper submission type. Recording Watch: How to Create Assignment Columns for Non-Submission Assignments
Gradebook Filtering

Smart Views:
Filter grades by student, group, category, or performance criteria.

Gradebook Filters:
Filters by specific students, sections, groups, assignments, or grading statuses.

 Canvas uses dynamic filters. Filters allow instructors to quickly focus on specific sections, groups, assignments, modules, or grading statuses. Recording Watch: How to Use the Canvas Gradebook

Feature In Blackboard In Canvas How Canvas Is Different Learn More
Create Assessments Tests:
Build assessments labeled Exam, Midterm, Quiz, or Final.		 Quizzes:
Create graded or ungraded assessments.		 Canvas graded and ungraded assessments and surveys are created as Quizzes, which can be named Quiz, Exam, Midterm, Final, or others. Canvas manages delivery, scoring, and Gradebook integration. Recording Watch: How to Create a Quiz Using New Quizzes
Unsupported Question Types Specialized Test Question Types:
Quiz Bowl, Jumbled Sentence, Likert Scales.		 Alternative Quiz Types:
Use surveys or other question types as workarounds.		 Similar instructional goals can often be achieved using alternative question types or surveys. Recording Watch: How to Use New Quizzes

Feature In Blackboard In Canvas How Canvas Is Different Learn More
Formative Knowledge Checks Tests/Practices:
Used for low-stakes quizzes or practice assessments 		 Quizzes (Practice/
Ungraded):
Create formative assessments for practice and feedback.		 Canvas supports formative learning through practice quizzes, ungraded quizzes, and low-stakes assessments that provide immediate feedback to students during learning. Recording Watch: How to Use New Quizzes
Adaptive Release Adaptive Release:
Control when students can access content based on rules, dates, or performance.		 Module Requirements/
Prerequisites:
Control progression through course materials.		 Canvas manages conditional learning paths through Module requirements, prerequisites, and item completion rules rather than rule-based release settings. Recording Watch: How to Use Modules in Canvas

Feature In Blackboard In Canvas How Canvas Is Different Learn More
Wikis Wikis:
Collaborative pages for shared student writing and group knowledge-building.		 Pages:
Collaborative pages with student editing enabled.		 Canvas Pages can function like wikis when instructors allow students to edit them. Supports version history, collaborative editing, and can be structured inside Modules. Recording Watch: How to Create a Page in a Course
Journals Journals:
Private journal entries between student and instructor for reflection.		 Assignments + Collaborations:
Use Text Entry assignments and shared documents for reflection.		 Instead of a journal, reflective writing is commonly implemented using Text Entry assignments. Students submit reflections directly in Canvas. Collaborative reflection activities can be done using shared documents through Collaborations. Recording Watch: How to Create an Online Assignment

FEATURES IN CANVAS — Watch Recordings Playlist

Top