Canvas

Students - Let’s Canvas! Coming in Summer 2023

What is Canvas?

Canvas is an online space to easily access your course content and a great way to communicate with professors and students in your course.

Why are we moving to Canvas?

Blackboard has plans to end support for our current version, Blackboard Learn. Canvas was chosen by Suffolk University after an exhaustive assessment begun in Spring 2020 by a committee representing University stakeholders, including students. Canvas was chosen for its accessibility, mobile-friendliness, intuitive interface, modern look, and user-friendly, up-to-date tools.

When are we moving to Canvas?

Beginning in Summer 2023 all courses will be taught using Canvas. Until that time, Blackboard Learn will continue to be the official platform, allowing us a full year for training and transition.

How will I learn how to use Canvas?

You may be one of the lucky 400+ students participating in the Fall 2022 Canvas Pilot or the upcoming Spring 2023 Canvas Pilot. Students taking Spring Pilot Canvas courses will receive an email with Canvas log in instructions from the Suffolk University’s IT Service Desk Team.

All students taking Fall 2023 courses will be enrolled in a Canvas 101 course to be available in Summer 2023. The Canvas 101 course will include videos and instructions on submitting assignments, taking quizzes, participating in discussions, and more! There are additional Canvas how-tos on the page.

Canvas Rollout Timeline

  • Summer 2022 through Summer 2023 - Comprehensive transition and training for faculty, staff, and students
  • Fall 202 2- Phase 1: Canvas pilot program
  • Spring 2023 - Phase 2: Canvas pilot program
  • Summer 2023 - Canvas GoLive Summer Courses
  • Fall 2023 - Canvas GoLive Fall Courses

Technology for Canvas courses

To successfully complete Canvas courses, you need a laptop or desktop computer with the latest web browser versions and reliable internet access.

Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser. Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release. We highly recommend updating to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. (What are the browser and computer requirements for Instructure products?)

Recommended software

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and many other programs are available free to you as a Suffolk student through Suffolk University's license agreements. You can download most of these programs directly on IT's Software page.

Accessing Canvas on mobile

Canvas on mobile browsers

Canvas supports mobile browsers (e.g., Safari, Chrome, Firefox). In some cases, using the mobile browser may provide a better experience than the official app. It is suggested that you try both methods to find which works best for your device and situation.

Canvas iOS and Android apps

Canvas recommends using the Canvas by Instructure app. The app is compatible on iOS and Android devices.

The app can be downloaded through the Play Store on Android or the App Store on iOS devices. Search for "Canvas by Instructure" and install. For more information, see the Canvas iOS Guide or Android Guide.

When logging in for the first time, enter Suffolk University when asked "What’s your school’s name?” From there, you will be taken to Suffolk's single sign-on page, where you should enter your Suffolk username address and passphrase to log in.

Canvas Student Resources

Check out these Canvas How To videos and guides!

Canvas Student How To’s by Topic

Canvas has two quizzing tools: Classic and New Quizzes. An overview of taking quizzes:

Let's Get Started

More Guides

Need Help

Faculty Canvas Resources