This article demonstrates a “Do It Yourself” version of the Blackboard to Canvas Course Conversion for faculty who wish to get started working on their Canvas Courses ahead of the University schedule.
Pro-Tip: Faculty and Staff can Request a Canvas Sandbox Site to create a “Master” course site that can then be copied into a “live-enrollment” course site.
Understanding This Overview:
Create a Canvas Sandbox Shell to pull your Blackboard course content over to the new LMS.
Clean up and perfect your course in the Canvas Sandbox.
Request a Canvas Course Site from Middleware 2.0
In Canvas, copy the Sandbox Course into your Live Course, the live course will auto-populate with students and you will be ready to go!
Instructions
Export Course from Blackboard
As of June 2021 Blackboard altered its Exporting process in a way that has changed the faculty’s ability to do “Course Exports.”
We don’t want this to slow you down, Please Complete Blackboard Course Export Request Form.
How To Export Blackboard Course Content into a Zip File (See notice above.)
Go to My.Boisestate.edu
Navigate to Blackboard
Once in Blackboard enter the course site you wish to Export from Blackboard
In the Course Management Menu
Select Packages and Utilities
Select Export/Archive Course
Select Export Package.
A new page will pop up, click on the “Select All” button for content (or select the specific content you wish to export)
A success message will post across the top of the screen.
Return to the Export/Archive Course Screen in a few minutes. Select the Refresh Button.
The file will now show in Blackboard, click on the file and download it to your computer. It is a ZIP File, don’t open it.
Import Course into Canvas
Step 1: Request a Sandbox Course Site in Canvas
Step 2: Load the Blackboard Zip File into the Canvas Course Site
Log in to Canvas at https://boisestatecanvas.instructure.com/
In the Global Navigation Menu, select Courses
Select the new sandbox course site you have created. (example screenshot below)
Decide if you would like to use the Boise State Canvas Course Template in your course
Here’s how to add the Boise State Canvas Course Template to your sandbox course. This template has some helpful tips on creating content and provides a basic structure for course design.
Load Blackboard Zip File into Canvas
Click on the Course Name to go into the course site.
On the right-hand menu, select Import Existing Content
Choose Blackboard 6/7/8/9 export .zip file
Choose the ZIP package you just downloaded (do not unzip it first)
Select All Content
Pro-Tip: If you chose to select specific content in your course, you will need to select Import before you can choose what content. Here’s what that looks like:
Check the boxes next to content you wish to import, use the arrows to open, and dive into specific folders of content:
The import tool will process the file. When it shows “Completed”, click on the “ # issues” to see what needs to be fixed.
Clean up and Organize the Canvas Course
Top 4 Gotcha’s in converting a course from Blackboard to Canvas
Rubrics - Canvas Rubrics use points to calculate grades, not percentages. If your Blackboard rubrics contained percentage points, reformat them in Canvas.
Journals - Canvas does not have a Journal tool, manually save Journal Prompts off of Blackboard so that the content is not lost.
Groups - Groups from BB should be deselected at the Canvas import stage.
This is because group names from BB will be imported into Canvas simply as 'Pages' with the same name yet without the functionality of a group.
Manual Columns - are now created through the Assignments area (Select “No Submission” as the submission type).
Learn More about Canvas Using Canvas Resources
Log in to Canvas at https://boisestatecanvas.instructure.com/
Select HELP from the Global Navigation Menu
Utilize the just-in-time assistance (24/7 Chat and Phone Number)
Use the searchable Knowledgebase to get to know Canvas:
Learn More about Canvas Using Boise State Resources
“Growing With Canvas” Self-Paced Online Tutorials
Learn about Canvas by taking this self-paced tutorial course that’s presented in Canvas. This course provides a high-level yet comprehensive overview of the most used features of Canvas. There are multiple modules, lots of short videos, links to detailed information about each feature and even several exercise assignments.
We recommend starting with the introduction section and working sequentially through the modules. Most new Canvas users get through all the tutorials in 6 to 8 hours.
Be sure to check out the “Your Canvas Sandbox” section below to learn how to set up a “playground” course where you can complete the tutorials and try out features.
Access the “Growing With Canvas” online tutorials here.
Workshops Presented by LTS
The Boise State Learning Technology Solutions (LTS) team presents synchronous webinars including a “Canvas Overview” webinar as well as webinars on various features such as quizzes, question banks, assignments and more.
Visit the LTS Training website for schedule and details for each of these webinars.
Jump In With Your Canvas Sandbox
You can request a Canvas sandbox course that will allow you to become familiar with the features without worrying about breaking anything.
The sandbox course is a great way to explore what’s possible with Canvas. It’s also a great place to practice concepts in the “Growing With Canvas” tutorials described above.
Additional Resource Documents:
Leverage your Boise State Instructional Designer to Build an Amazing Course Shell
Relevant Information
Have a suggestion?
Email us! lts@boisestate.edu