Online Education Initiative Updates and FAQs
If you would like to add a question to the FAQ please send an email to the Distance Education Department (distanceeducation@sbccd.cc.ca.us)
On February 12, 2015, the Online Education Initiative announced its selection of Canvas to provide an online course management system and related services to community colleges statewide in California. With this announcement, both colleges are reviewing and considering two course management systems.
- Blackboard – our current learning management system
- Canvas – the State adopted learning management system
SBCCD recordings of demonstrations and local events:
Canvas demo – administrative features August 10, 2015
Canvas demo – instructor features August 27, 2015
Blackboard Regional Event @ Crafton Hills College September 9, 2015
Blackboard and Canvas SBCCD Comparison Document
OEI, EPI, and CAI Demystified Event @ Valley College March 4, 2016
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FAQs
What is the Online Education Initiative (OEI)?
The OEI will consist of several key elements:
- An online course exchange, utilizing Canvas, that will give students access to high-demand courses not available at their home college.
- Online tutoring that, for many subjects, will be available 24/7.
- Assessment and readiness tools to prepare students for the demands of online learning.
- Professional development and instructional design support for instructors who offer courses through the online course exchange.
Why was Canvas chosen as the OEI course management system? Who was involved in that decision?
The CCMS Workgroup included faculty members appointed by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC), representatives of CCC stakeholder groups, and representatives of the Full Launch Pilot Colleges (Fresno City, Butte, Foothill, Mt San Jacinto, Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Ventura, and Coastline). As a Full Launch Pilot College, FCC had four representatives on the workgroup: one administrator, two faculty recommended by Academic Senate, and one student representative.
For more about the selection process and why Canvas was chosen, visit Canvas Upgrade Resources from the OEI.
Is San Bernardino Community College District switching from Blackboard to Canvas?
As a college, we are not required to use Canvas for non-OEI related courses. Colleges commonly review their LMS on a regular basis. Additionally, with the State’s adoption of Canvas by the OEI it is a prime time for the District to assess their LMS needs our current services. Careful consideration of input from stakeholders and end users will determine selection of a LMS. Some criteria to consider include: cost, accessibility, ease of use, integration with third-party services, training needs, functionality, and support. Discussion will happen across the colleges and information will be disseminated through various college committees including the Distance Education C, both college’s Academic Senate, SBVC Online Programs Committee, CHC Educational Technology Committees, TESS Executive Committees and other various college groups.
This web page will serve to keep all stakeholders abreast on the gathered information on Canvas and Blackboard as well as address any questions and concerns noted through the review and selection process.
When will the District decide whether to change to Canvas?
We have not yet determined a timeline for this decision. Both Valley College and Crafton Hills College will be developing timelines to gather information and feedback starting Fall 2015. Both colleges will need to need to make a collective decision on an LMS. Discussion will happen across the colleges and information will be disseminated through various college committees including the Distance Education C, both college’s Academic Senate, SBVC Online Programs Committee, CHC Educational Technology Committees, TESS Executive Committees and other various college groups.
If SBCCD decides NOT to adopt Canvas, does that mean I can never have my course approved to offer through the OEI Course Exchange?
All courses in the OEI Course Exchange will use Canvas. It is a requirement to adopt Canvas in order for faculty members at SBCCD to have their courses approved for inclusion in the OEI Course Exchange.
How can I get more information about OEI?
How can I get more information about Canvas?
Canvas has a 14-day trial site that you can use to view faculty, student, and admin features. The trial period can also be extended. Please use the site below to start your trial. Remember to send any feedback about your experiences to your college committees and to the DE office (distanceeducation@sbccd.cc.ca.us).
http://www.canvaslms.com/try-canvas
- Guides - How to use Canvas
- Video tutorials - How to use Canvas at Lynda.com
- To access lynda.com, go to http://www.lynda.com/email-signup and enter your SBCCD emailaddress. Once lynda.com verifies your email domain, you will receive an email from lynda.com prompting you to create a profile. Upon registering your profile, you can log in to http://www.lynda.com anytime and anywhere using your email address and password.
How can I get more information about Blackboard?
We are currently managed hosted by Blackboard and are on the latest Blackboard service Pack (October 2014). The next iteration of Blackboard will be Blackboard Learn Ultra. Our vendor rep is working on creating a dedicated site where our faculty and admin can test out features. I will let you know as soon as it is available. In the meantime below are some links and videos of what you can expect from Bb Ultra:
Introducing the Learn Ultra Experience
Blackboard Ultra Instructor Help Page
Blackboard Ultra Video Tutorials