Canvas Blackboard Comparison

Summary

This article contains a list of features within Blackboard and their equivalent feature within Canvas. This information was retrieved from Emory University's Canvas pilot website.
Feature NameBlackboardCanvasNotes (Canvas Differences)
Global Functionality
NotificationsNotificationsNotificationsCanvas can send text, email, and mobile push notifications. Some notifications are sent automatically (like due dates), but Announcements can be used to send notifications manually.
MessagesSend Email  / Course MessagesInboxAll notifications in Canvas are stored in the conversations inbox and sent via notifications.
CalendarCalendarCalendar

Drag and drop functionality makes it easy to add or change due dates and event times. Assignment shells can be created from the calendar.  

AppointmentsN/ASchedulerCanvas allows instructors to put office hours and other appointments directly into their scheduler, so students can book time with instructors directly in Canvas.
Media RecordingN/ARecord Media

Canvas allows users to record audio and video to embed in pages, posts, messages, and grade feedback.  

Live SupportN/AHelp

Instructure provides round-the-clock help to users via phone, email, and chat.  

Course Functionality
Release CourseMake AvailablePublish Course

The option to publish a course in Canvas is on its home page (not deep in customization settings).

Navigation Menu

Course Menu

Course Navigation

Canvas course navigation links are uniform across courses, so students always know exactly what to expect on each page.

Course ChronologyN/ASyllabusThe Syllabus page automatically displays course events and graded assignments in a chronological view.
Content OrganizationContent AreasModules

Instructors lay out all course content in one place grouped by units or weeks with optional scheduled release or prerequisites to view later materials.

Rich ContentContent Item / Blank PagePages

Pages are always versioned in Canvas and may be used as the course home page. Attachments are easily linked inline using Content Selector.  

Document PreviewN/ADocument Preview

Canvas allows in-browser viewing of document types browsers typically do not display. Instructors can set previews to open automatically.

File StorageStore & ShareFiles

Files uploaded in a course are open to students by default. Instructors may restrict access to some or all files.

EnrollmentsUsersPeople

Instructors can views student activity reports and total time in course.

GroupsGroupsGroups

Groups can be accessed from the universal navigation menu.

Communication Tools
AnnouncementsAnnouncementsAnnouncements

Canvas models announcements on discussions, allowing students to reply.

DiscussionsDiscussion BoardDiscussions

Instructors can grade, pin, and close threads. Canvas posts replies to notification emails back to subscribed threads.

Chat RoomChatChat

Each course has a text-only chat room that keeps a history.

Lecture and Screen ShareVirtual ClassroomConferences

Instructors can share audio, webcam video, live-annotated documents, and their computer screens.

Assignments and Grading
AssignmentsAssignmentsAssignments

Assignment shells are easily created from modules, calendar, or the assignment tool. The assignments tool shows graded discussions and quizzes, as well.

Peer AssessmentSelf and Peer Assessments

Canvas assignments allow Peer Review of submissions, including anonymous, automatic-matching, and manual-matching options.

Weighted CategoriesGrade Center

Instructors can make assignment groups used to weight the final grade through the Assignments tool.

Score Offline Work

Instructors make assignments in Canvas for work submitted on paper, then enter scores and comments in Grades.

Score Online WorkGrade AssignmentSpeedGrader

Instructors can easily review and annotate submissions from the assignment or grades tools.

Student Grade WorkMy GradesGrades

Students can see how future assignments would affect their final grade with What-If grades.

Plagiarism CheckSafeAssignN/ACanvas does not have built in plagiarism checking.
Scoring RubricRubricsRubrics

Canvas allows criteria ratings scales to vary in number of increments.

Objective AssignmentsTestsCanvas Quizzes (Classic and New)

Moderating quizzes is easy and works even for ongoing attempts.

SurveysSurveys

Anonymous surveys deployed quickly, graded or ungraded.

Collaboration Tools
BloggingBlogsN/A

Canvas does not have built-in blogging. Assignments are a great way to collect student journal entries.

Journals
Collaborative EditingWikisPagesPages become wikis when editing is allowed for teachers and students.
Collaborations

Collaborations creates a Google Doc for selected students to edit.


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