While there are differences in the look and feel between Blackboard and Canvas, the majority of the functionality remains the same. Take a look to see which features are available across both systems.
Course & System Functionality
| Feature | Blackboard | Canvas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7/365 Live Support | Limited | Yes | Help is always available for Canvas via online chat, telephone, or email. Simply click the "Help" button within Canvas. |
| Content | Yes | Yes | Files, attachments and text can all be entered into Canvas, just like Blackboard. |
| Content Organization | Yes | Yes | Content is organized differently in Canvas; Canvas uses Modules, which helps group content by type, topics, or weeks. |
| Course Navigation | Yes | Limited | Canvas offers less customization, which helps unify the user experience across courses. Instructors may still hide links they do not use. |
| Course Roster | Yes | Yes | Easily see who is enrolled in the course. |
| Drag-and-Drop Interface | No | Yes | Drag-and-drop files and items within Canvas to quickly and easily arrange content. |
| Open Source | No | Yes | Canvas is open source, meaning code can be modified and applied for custom use cases. |
Assessment
| Feature | Blackboard | Canvas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignments | Yes | Yes | Canvas's Assignments tool lets you both collect and access student work online and input external assignment grades. |
| Inline Grading | Yes | Yes | Inline grading works in-browser or via their mobile grading application. |
| Grades | Yes | Yes | Canvas can keep track of and calculate grades and display them to students. |
| Peer Review | Yes | Yes | Assignments allows for peer review of submissions. |
| Plagiarism Detection | Yes | Yes | Canvas does not have a built-in plagiarism detection software, but CWRU has contracted with Turnitin to provide plagiarism detection via Canvas. Turnitin is now available! |
| Rubrics | Yes | Yes | Rubrics can be used when grading student submissions |
| Tests & Surveys | Yes | Yes | Create and distribute online quizzes and surveys, choosing from a variety of question types. |
Collaboration and Communication
| Feature | Blackboard | Canvas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Yes | Yes | Post announcements to students enrolled in your course. |
| Appointment Slots | No | Yes | Canvas has a built-in Scheduler that works with Calendar, allowing for appointment sign-ups. |
| Blogging | Yes | No | Canvas does not offer a built-in blogging tool, but other options exist. |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes | Drag-and-drop functionality and multiple options make the Canvas Calendar a robust tool. |
| Discussion Board | Yes | Yes | Both regular and post-first discussion boards are supported in Canvas. |
| Groups | Yes | Yes | Groups can be created for student projects. |
| Media Recorder | No | Yes | Easily record audio or video feedback and place it within your Canvas course. |
| Messages | Yes | Yes | Easily send messages to students from within Canvas. By default, these go to their CWRU email address. |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes | Canvas can send notifications via email, texts, and push notifications via their app. |