Fall and Winter course requests are currently available in SPIRE for Canvas. If you haven’t already done so, you can request your Fall Canvas course in SPIRE.
Note: Requesting course content migration from Moodle or Blackboard to Canvas is a separate process; you still need to request your course in SPIRE to be able to teach in Canvas in Fall 2023
For step by step instructions on requesting a Canvas course see: Request a Canvas Course in SPIRE
Updates for Canvas’ Training Services Portal
Beginning on August 10, 2023, you may note that Canvas’ internal training services portal is getting an overhaul. The Training Services Portal houses trainings created and offered by Canvas itself. These can supplement the existing UMass designed Canvas Training and Resources Course.
The new portal will offer more robust filtering options, updates to progress indicators, a cleaner organization, and additional tabs to clearly separate K12 from Higher Education content.
To access the Canvas Training Portal, log into Canvas and click Help. From the menu, select Training Portal.
Planned downtimes
There are no planned downtimes for Canvas this month.
Concierge Migration Continues
UMass Amherst has partnered with a third-party vendor to migrate courses from Moodle and Blackboard to Canvas. Fall 2023 course migrations are on schedule. There will be several more opportunities for migrating content. If you are teaching in Canvas in the Winter or Spring 24 semesters, you can request concierge migration for your courses.
- Teaching in Winter and Spring 2024
Submit requests by Friday, September 8, 2023 - Teaching in Spring 2024
Submit requests by Friday, November 3, 2023
Requesting concierge migration of course content does not mean you must teach in Canvas for that semester. However, if you plan on teaching using Canvas in those semesters, make your request early to ensure your course is migrated and you have time to get familiar with it.
Canvas Tip of the Month: Start the Semester with a Welcome
Did you know you can communicate with students in the Canvas Inbox? You can send a message to all students in your course – it’ll appear in their Canvas inbox when they log in, their Canvas app, and their UMass email addresses. Your Canvas inbox lets to send messages to all, or individual students, see their responses, and keep the conversation going? You can use this to keep your interactions with students organized.
Canvas Help and Resources for Instructors
24/7 Direct Canvas Support
Live Chat: Canvas Support for Instructors
Phone: +1 (855) 219-3080
Canvas Training: Live and On-Demand
Register for IDEAS Workshops: Join us for an IDEAS workshop
Explore: Canvas Example Course with Training Videos
Search: Canvas Instructor Guide with Example Screenshots
Enroll: In the Canvas left navigation menu, select Help > Training Services Portal to access live and on-demand training from Canvas
IDEAS Support
Zoom Drop in Help: Meet with a Consultant (available 10am-3pm ET Monday-Friday)
Request Help: Email instruct@umass.edu