Description
The purpose of this article is to help you determine which tool(s) would be best suited for your organization(s) as we transition to Canvas. When the University’s organization usage in Blackboard was reviewed, we found that organizations fell into subcategories: Continuing Education, Training, Orientation, and Organizational Communication and Resource Sharing. At the time that most of these organizations were created, Blackboard was the only option that would meet these needs. That is no longer the case, and the LMS may not be the right option moving forward.
Use Cases
Appropriate use cases for an organization replacement course in Canvas are:
- Program, department, college, or campus orientation programming for students
- Placement exams
- Trainings that require communication between participants and the instructor
- Select other non-credit activities requiring instructional activities that allow interactivity
Use cases that may not be appropriate for an organization replacement course in Canvas are:
- File sharing / Document library
- Canvas maximum file size limit of 500MB, and a maximum course/organization size limit of 2GB. OHIO also has alternate document storage solutions we did not have when we first started using Blackboard.
- Alternatives include: Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft SharePoint
- Communication tool
- There are many communication options available outside of the LMS for communication needs that are not instruction-based.
- Alternatives include: Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Outlook
- Resource sharing
- Canvas has a maximum file size limit of 500MB, and a maximum course/organization size limit of 2GB.
- Student organizations
- The Campus Involvement Center can support student organization needs with Bobcat Connect. Contact Involvement@ohio.edu for additional information, if desired.
- Alternative: Bobcat Connect
- Required trainings
- Canvas can still be a great solution for trainings that require interactivity with learners. But other trainings can be hosted by Vector LMS, especially those that are required, standardized, require tracking of completion, and do not require interactivity.
Alternative Tools to Support Organizations
Solutions Matrix for Blackboard Organizations
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Use Case for Organization
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Required Functions
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Potential Solution(s)
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Student event organization and planning
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Create and organize events for students
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Bobcat Connect
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Student orientation or training
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Communication between participants and instructor;
Assignments or Quizzes;
Gradebook
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Canvas
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Document sharing only
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Sharing and/or Storing Documents
Working Collaboratively on Documents
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Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft SharePoint
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Mandatory training with no interactivity between users and instructors
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Deliver consistent training; Verify completion of training; Issue certificate of completion
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Vector LMS
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Communications or live virtual meetings
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Ability to send messages or resources to other members of a group
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Microsoft Teams, Microsoft SharePoint
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Video sharing and hosting only
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Record, host, and share video
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Panopto,
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Stream
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Outcome: You can determine which tools will best meet the needs of your organization(s). You may choose any, or a combination of the tools listed above to meet your organization’s needs. If you need more support selecting the right tool for your needs, consider scheduling a consultation with an instructional technologist at OIT. Instructional technologists consult with faculty and staff to help select a technology for teaching and learning needs.
Get help from OIT
Additional resources