Project: Canvas Pilot
Objective
Pilot the Canvas LMS and collect feedback to evaluate the current and future LMS needs of App State.
Project Overview
We conducted a pilot of Canvas with approximately 20-30 App State faculty members and gathered feedback on the experiences of both students and faculty. This feedback was delivered to members of campus leadership in late spring 2025.
Project Details
Academic Technologies is dedicated to providing the best teaching and learning environment for our campus. Our team explores digital academic technologies and leads efforts to innovate within our campus community. In May 2024, acting Provost Neva Specht tasked Academic Technologies with conducting a Canvas LMS pilot program in spring 2025.
Faculty participating in the pilot received comprehensive support from the Academic Tech team to ensure a smooth transition to Canvas and address questions. Faculty had ongoing access to meetings with their academic technologists, either one-on-one or in small groups, to ask questions and provide feedback. Additionally, faculty had the option to attend training sessions provided by the Canvas team.
As part of our pilot/LMS review, we:
Learned more about how faculty and students feel about our current LMS and the prospect of change.
Worked with 20-30 faculty members who piloted Canvas in at least one of their courses.
Gathered faculty and student feedback via surveys throughout the process.
Compiled the results in a report that was presented to campus leadership.
Status
Complete
FAQ
Why are we evaluating AsULearn our Learning Management System (LMS)?
We have not undergone a full pilot of another academic LMS in many years. At App State, the learning management system has a big impact on instruction. We need to continue evaluating the LMS to ensure it can accommodate the demands of our faculty, staff and students.
Are we going to change Learning Management Systems?
We are running a limited pilot of the Canvas LMS and will collect data to share with campus leadership. If it’s determined that change is needed, then Academic Technologies will work to develop a phased plan to support a full campus transition.
Are other Learning Management Systems different?
There are differences though each system offers a comparable set of tools. We're still learning about those distinctions, and we'll be asking the faculty for their opinions on how important they are. In addition, the user interfaces and feel of Canvas differ from those of AsULearn. This can impact the user experience and ease of navigation.
Who is conducting this pilot?
A team from Academic Technologies led by the Director of Academic Technologies and the Deputy CIO with support from the Provost and the CIO.
Who decides? Is my school/discipline represented?
Our survey data will result in a report delivered to Project Sponsors, the Provost–Neva Specht, and the CIO–Keith Werner. That report will NOT make a recommendation. Rather, it will offer data that can assist in making a choice that is representative of the pilot experience.
How will I learn to use a new learning management system?
If we decide to switch to a new LMS, we will work with Canvas to provide faculty workshops, consultations and online support materials to assist faculty in the transition during that period.
Who is funding this project?
The cost of the pilot has been minimal and has been fully covered by Information Technology.
Who can I talk to with questions about the pilot?
If you have questions about the pilot, please contact Emory Maiden in Academic Technologies.