Countdown to Canvas: Important dates and resources for instructors

Canvas will be the officially supported learning management system at Illinois State University with the start of the fall 2023 semester, replacing ReggieNet. The new system, which was piloted in the spring of 2023 and used by several faculty members teaching this summer, brings a host of new features, such as mobile apps for both students and teachers, and the Canvas Studio video hosting system. With the fall semester starting in less than a month, here are some important dates and resources instructors should keep in mind.

Microsoft will switch Microsoft Stream (now called Stream Classic) to “read-only” mode. After August 15, instructors will be able to access and copy their videos but cannot upload any new videos.

Instructors should use Canvas Studio to deliver videos in their courses starting in the fall. Visit the Canvas Studio support page to get started.

ReggieNet will switch to read-only mode on Friday, August 18. This means that instructors will still be able to access old courses and download data, but no changes can be made in the system. This includes adding or removing participants from special project courses. Instructors can access ReggieNet through ReggieNet.IllinoisState.edu.

Similar to the experience in ReggieNet, students will not see a course in Canvas until it is published by the instructor. Instructors who wish to publish their courses before the first day of class can do so. Both instructors and students can access Canvas directly through Canvas.IllinoisState.edu, through the My.IllinoisState.edu portal, or through the Canvas App.

Instructors have until November 30 to backup any remaining data from ReggieNet. After that date, all access to ReggieNet ends.

While the deadline to guarantee course migrations in time for the fall semester has passed, these services will continue for the next few months. Instructors who need materials transferred for spring 2024 for-credit courses and beyond should request a migration as soon as possible. For non-credit ReggieNet course sites, please review this guide.

The Center for Integrated Professional Development now has a series of guides to help instructors begin to build out their Canvas course sites. These include:

Each guide includes step-by-step instructions along with screen captures and tutorial videos. View the Canvas Getting Started Guides.

Dozens of workshops covering many Canvas features are scheduled between now and the start of the semester. Check out the Technology Short Courses page to register. Faculty and staff can also enroll in the self-paced Fundamentals for Faculty course.

Extensive teaching support is available on the Center for Integrated Professional Development’s Canvas Instructional Support pages.

The center’s support team is available to assist instructors and staff Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at [email protected] or (309) 438-2542.

Instructors should send their students to the Technology Support Center (TSC) for assistance using Canvas. The TSC can assist all users on campus with basic technology concerns, like logging into Canvas or installing mobile apps.