Canvas is a modern and intuitive Virtual Learning Environment, provided by Instructure, an educational technology company founded in 2008, ​and will be replacing Blackboard from August 1st 2020. 

Everyone involved in learning and teaching at all Newcastle campuses is potentially affected by the change to Canvas. Those who will be most affected are staff and students who currently use Blackboard.

Our contract with Blackboard ends on the 31st July 2020. This platform will no longer be available to staff and students from this date.

Canvas offers a 24/7 helpdesk service which will be the first point of call for your 'How do I?' questions and for any technical support. This is accessed via the help menu in Canvas and you can contact them via live chat, phone or email. If they are unable to help, your call will be referred to the Newcastle University Service Desk.

Please note any ReCap or Turnitin queries should still be submitted directly to the Newcastle Service Desk. 

Canvas also provides a vast library of video and step by step guides which are available at https://community.canvaslms.com/community/answers/guides/canvas-guide

For any questions regarding the transition from Blackboard to Canvas please contact the Canvas Implementation Team and one of the team will aim to get back to you within 2-3 working days.

Due to the current Covid-19 situation, contingency plans for any digital exams scheduled for the August Assessment Period have been put in place. Further details can be found on the Digital Learning website.

There is a separate project looking at the future of digital exams and including BYOD type exams and more information on this will be available in due course. 

Canvas will be used for all exams in the August Assessment Period.

From 5pm on the 31st July 2020, all learning materials and assessments will be accessed and submitted through Canvas. Blackboard will not be available to staff or students from this date.

We have created a number of support materials including screencasts to help both colleagues and students familiarise themselves with Canvas.

Colleagues can access a Staff Orientation Course in Canvas which includes sections on creating assignments, Canvas quizzes and providing marks and feedback. There are also a number of training webinars with a specific focus on assessment.

Students can access a 'Getting to Know Canvas' course once logged in to Canvas.  This course includes screencasts, Canvas video guides and links to a large number of Canvas' student step by step guides.

All colleagues and students also have access to the Canvas 24/7 support via the Canvas help menu.