FAQs
Canvas LMS (Learning Management System) is an online platform from Instructure that helps universities and schools manage their courses, deliver content, facilitate communication, and track student progress.
After an extensive vetting process, the Montana University System selected Canvas by Instructure as its single Learning Management System. To learn more about the evaluation criteria that was used to choose Canvas, please visit MUS’s Single Learning Management System page.
For a detailed timeline, visit the OCHE Single LMS website.
Canvas and Brightspace (D2L) are both learning management systems for educational institutions. Canvas stands out with its modern interface, extensive customization, strong integration with third-party tools, and mobile-friendly design, enhancing learning across various environments.
Use the Tool Comparison resource to familiarize yourself with the features available in Canvas and how they correlate with those in D2L.
Faculty and staff will be able to log in to Canvas in August 2024. Students will be able to view their courses in June 2025.
Faculty will gain access to their Canvas accounts in August 2024, but students will not be able to access Canvas courses until the Summer 2025 session. This is when faculty can begin teaching in Canvas. We recommend that faculty use the coming year to familiarize themselves with the Canvas interface, review their migrated courses, and add additional content if necessary.
-
Yes. Academic Technology and Outreach will offer in-person and online training starting in September 2024. Register by visiting our Training Events page.
-
Instructure, Canvas’s parent company, also offers live webinars and on-demand content through the Canvas Training Portal. For instructions on how to access the Portal, visit our On-Demand Resources page.
- "Growing with Canvas" is a course designed to enhance Canvas LMS skills and is conveniently pushed into faculty's Canvas dashboards for access.
- Log in to Canvas and explore the features and familiarize yourself with the interface.
Login to Canvas
Don't know how to login to Canvas? Learn how to login.
-
Request a practice or master shell in Canvas (be sure to choose the Canvas tab at the top) to familiarize yourself with the platform, test features, and develop content without impacting live courses.
-
Review and sign up for live training events..
-
Review the migration options to understand how to import content into your Canvas course.
Access to D2L Brightspace will be discontinued for all users in June 2025. You will no longer be able to access your D2L Brightspace account at that time.
Visit our Migration page to explore the options for transferring your content from D2L Brightspace to Canvas.
All D2L/Brightspace course content from Summer Semester 2022 – Spring Semester 2025 will be migrated to Canvas for you in a series of phases. To learn more about the migration schedule, and what you will need to do to get your courses ready for students, please visit the Migration page.
No, your course isn't immediately ready after migration. Every migrated or imported course will require review and adjustments. The time needed will vary based upon the complexity of your D2L course. Resources are available to walk you through the review process on the Migration page.
Yes. All of the external tools that are licensed university-wide (iClicker, Panopto, etc.) will be available when Canvas goes live. If there are tools you use independently, you may request that they be added by contacting the helpdesk.
Our team is here to assist you throughout this process. Access all available contact options on the Contact page.
Yes. Canvas offers a free mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. Search for “Canvas” in your device’s app store to learn more. Make sure to download the correct version, as there is a separate app for students, instructors, and parents of K-12 users.