Canvas Is Coming to UIC: What Students Need to Know
Introduction
Big news, UIC is officially transitioning from Blackboard to Canvas, our official new learning management system (LMS). Over the next 18 to 24 months, Canvas will gradually replace Blackboard in your courses, starting as early as next spring.
Why We Are Changing to Canvas
After a year-long review and careful consideration of survey results, our administration, faculty, students, and staff chose Canvas over Blackboard. Canvas is widely used across higher education and is known for its clean design, mobile-friendly interface, and better tools for learning. It’s also packed with features that help make assignments, grading, communication, and collaboration more efficient for both students and instructors.
What’s Happening and When
- Now Live: UIC’s Canvas systems are up and running! Our tech teams have already integrated Canvas with tools you know and love, like Zoom, Panopto, and Echo360. Testing is still underway to make sure everything works smoothly.
- Early Adopters and Colleges: Starting in the spring, students in the following colleges may begin seeing some of their courses in Canvas:
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) (check with your department)
- Jane Addams College of Social Work
- Honors College
- College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs (CUPPA)
- Summer 2026: Over half of UIC courses will likely be taught in Canvas.
- Fall 2026: Canvas becomes the main platform for most UIC courses.
- January 2027: Blackboard will go into read-only mode and won’t be used for active courses anymore. Canvas will officially take over as UIC’s only LMS.
What This Means for You
- Dual Platforms for a While: Some of your courses might be in Blackboard while others are in Canvas during the transition period.
- New Look, Same Content: While the layout will change, you’ll still access lectures, assignments, grades, and discussions—just in a different and more user-friendly interface.
- Support Will Be Available: UIC’s Learning Technology Solutions (LTS) will provide plenty of guides, videos, and help to make sure you’re comfortable using Canvas when the time comes.
How to Prepare
- Pay attention to instructor updates. Your professors will let you know if a course is moving to Canvas.
- Look for official announcements in your student email about Canvas login info and training resources.
- Try it early. If one of your classes is using Canvas next spring, take some time to explore it—it’s pretty intuitive!
The Impact
Change can be a bit overwhelming, but Canvas is built to make your academic life easier, not harder. Over the next year, you’ll start to see what makes it a great fit for UIC’s future—and soon, it’ll feel just like home. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for more updates from UIC!