Although Compass will be available until May 31, 2022, instructors are encouraged to begin using Canvas as early as possible. By switching now, you’ll have more time to adapt your teaching strategies to Canvas, and your students will spend less time juggling courses in more learning management systems.
Our team of ed tech professionals with CITL and Technology Services make migrating your online course content a breeze regardless of your current learning management system.
Ready to explore the new way of teaching using Canvas? We can help you make a smooth transition.
Migration Methods
Automatic Content Import
The University has contracted with a vendor that is automatically copying course content from Compass 2g to Canvas. We are planning for the following courses to be included in the automatic import process:
- June 30 – Fall 2019 and 2020 Compass courses
- Early August – Spring 2020 and 2021 Compass courses
- September – Summer 2020 and 2021 Compass courses
How to get started with automatic content import:
After the vendor confirms a successful import into Canvas, instructors will receive an email containing links to access their course content and other helpful resources.
You can follow our guide to help you optimize your copied content. Content imported into Canvas is NOT a 1:1 replication of your course. Cleanup is required and some items may need to be recreated or replaced.
Blank Shell
Start from scratch with a blank shell in Canvas and build a new space. Starting with a blank shell is an opportunity to intentionally consider and optimize content in your course site and leave behind cluttered and outdated content.
PROS
- Clear and intentional organization: You will be starting from a clean slate, populating the course with newly created content.
- Opportunity to update the course: Old and unused course content, clutter, and duplicates can be discarded in the process.
- Best if you are investing in leveraging all Canvas has to offer: Instructors investing in learning to use Canvas can build their course from the ground up fully leveraging its strengths. It may also be an opportunity to rethink portions or the entirety of the previous course design.
CONS
- Requires training and experimentation: Starting from scratch may be intimidating or frustrating at first, so this option will be best suited for those ready for a challenge. We will provide targeted documentation, training, and consultation as needed.
- Potential for losing or forgetting something: Depending on how many courses you have in your previous Learning Management System (LMS), Compass 2g or Moodle, and how large or complex those courses are, it would be wise to archive old courses to retain content you do not want to lose.
How to get started with a blank shell:
- Visit the Canvas 101 course.
- Attend one of the upcoming training sessions.
- Request a Canvas space.
- View the Canvas instructor guide.
Manual Migration
Import a course from Compass 2g or Moodle into Canvas. This option is best for experienced instructors who want full control over their course content. Instructors may also consider using manual migration for courses not included in the automatic migration process (Note: more information about the automatic migration timeline and criteria coming soon).
PROS
- Instructor choice: The instructor determines which courses are saved. This option is best suited for instructors who have taught many courses and wish to save a wide breadth of content for future reuse.
CONS
- Manual cleanup needed: The complexity of the course will largely determine how much cleanup is needed.
How to get started with manual migration:
- Attend one of the upcoming training sessions.
- Follow our manual content import guide to help you organize content for an easier export from Compass and best practices to help clean up your course after importing into Canvas.
Course Migrations by Department
Your department may want to coordinate a full migration as a whole. Logistics and communications will be maintained by your departmental administrators and instructional technology support.
If you are a faculty member and want to move to Canvas now, please reach out to your department to make sure moving platforms will not interrupt any ongoing programs. After communicating with your department, you can proceed with moving the course yourself or use the services provided by CITL and Tech Services.
Migration Path Comparison Chart
| Pros | Cons | Target Audience | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blank Shell | Update the course and optimize for Canvas |
|
|
| Manual Migration | Freedom to choose which courses get migrated | Requires cleanup and reorganization |
|
| Automatic Migration | Automatic archive of course content |
| Instructors who may only need to save course content from the past few years and would like to see what your courses look like after automatic migration. |
HELP
Have questions? Need help getting started? Contact us, and we’ll help match you with the support you need.