Office of the Provost

Canvas Selected as Drexel’s New Learning Management System

August 18, 2025

This message was shared with all faculty and staff on July 23rd, 2025.

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Drexel University will adopt Canvas as our new Learning Management System (LMS), following a University-wide pilot and evaluation process led by the University Advisory Committee on LMS Selection (UAC LMS). The UAC LMS was convened in partnership with Faculty Senate Chair Kevin Owens, PhD, as Drexel was nearing the end of its contract with Blackboard Learn, with the knowledge that Blackboard Learn will be transitioning to Blackboard Ultra.

Over the course of 10 months, the UAC LMS engaged more than 1,000 students and 33 faculty members across 13 schools and colleges in a rigorous evaluation of both Canvas and Ultra. The committee’s recommendation was clear: Canvas offers the best overall experience for teaching, learning, and long-term support.

Key findings from the pilot include:

  • Superior usability and design: Canvas was rated higher for ease of use, navigation, mobile access, and nearly all evaluation criteria.
  • Enhanced teaching tools: Faculty reported faster workflows, easier course organization, and more flexible grading options.
  • Positive student feedback: Students appreciated the consistent interface and mobile-friendly experience.
  • Strategic alignment: Canvas is the most widely adopted LMS in higher education, including among peer R1 institutions, with a robust development roadmap and ecosystem of integrations.

Further supporting the recommendation, faculty reported that switching from Learn to Canvas was easier than transitioning to Ultra. Feedback from the pilot indicated a high degree of support and enthusiasm for Canvas from students and faculty alike.

Next Steps for Implementation

Drexel has secured a long-term contract with Instructure (Canvas) and an eighteen-month extension with Anthology (Blackboard) to support the transition, with the goal of achieving full implementation of Canvas by January 1, 2027. The Instructional Technology Group and the Teaching and Learning Center will be providing support, training and technology expertise throughout the process, aligned with the curricular work that will occur through Drexel’s Academic Transformation. More details are forthcoming to ensure a smooth and successful transition for faculty, students and staff.

Faculty who would like to opt into Canvas for the upcoming fall quarter or spring semester are encouraged to do so by contacting the Instructional Technology Group at ITG@drexel.edu. Please note that during this period, course enrollments and student add/drops will be updated manually on a scheduled basis.

I would like to thank Johanna Inman, EdD, inaugural director of the Teaching and Learning Center, and Dana Kemery, EdD, associate clinical professor of undergraduate nursing and chair of the Faculty Senate Committee on Academic Support, for cochairing the UAC LMS, as well as all who served on the UAC LMS and participated in the pilot for their dedicated efforts towards advancing Drexel’s teaching and learning.

Sincerely,

Paul E. Jensen, PhD
Executive Vice President
Nina Henderson Provost