From: Teaching and Learning Technologies
Date: Thu 3/19/2026 4:45 PM
To: announcements <announcements@elon.edu>
Subject: Canvas Transition: Timeline and Support for Faculty & Staff

 

Elon University logo featuring a maroon and gold shield with a stylized white phoenix feather on the left, and the words 'ELON UNIVERSITY' in large maroon and black serif text to the right.

Stay informed throughout the Canvas transition
with ongoing updates, resources, and support designed to
guide you each step of the way.

Wide view of Elon University’s Inman Admissions Welcome Center, a large red-brick building with white columns and a central cupola under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, the white 'ELON' sign sits on a lawn, while a group of students walks along the sidewalk in front of the building.

This update outlines the Canvas transition timeline for Fall 2026 and what to expect in the months ahead.

  • Early access to Canvas begins in April
  • Training and working sessions will be available throughout the spring, summer, and Planning Week
  • Opportunities to engage, provide feedback, and help shape the transition
  • Ongoing updates and resources will be available through the Canvas Transition Hub

A Message from the Provost

Portrait of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing glasses, a pink blazer, and a black top. She is smiling and posed against a softly lit, warm-toned background.As we move into the second half of the semester, I am writing to share an update on Elon’s transition to a new learning management system (LMS). Following the exploration of several possible options and based on information and suggestions collected during multiple meetings with faculty and staff members, we will fully implement Canvas as our new LMS for the Fall 2026 semester.  The Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT) team, in partnership with Information Technology staff and our new LMS vendor, is now working on the technical setup of the system in preparation for the transition.

Our campus community provided thoughtful feedback on the timeline through the February Open Forum and the Microsoft Form shared with faculty and staff. Those conversations made clear that adopting Canvas as Elon’s official LMS at the start of the Fall 2026 semester provides the clearest path forward. Aligning the transition with the start of a new academic year avoids a mid-year change and prevents students and faculty from navigating two learning management systems within the same academic cycle, particularly as we welcome new students and faculty to Elon.

I want to acknowledge the additional work that comes with learning and transitioning to a new system, even for those of us who may have worked with Canvas previously. Faculty members are balancing teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and service, and adopting a new tool that plays an important role in teaching will take time and adjustment. This reality has been central to planning for the implementation of the new LMS.

Please be aware that Teaching and Learning Technologies is building a training and support plan that will guide faculty members as they move courses to Canvas. The range of opportunities for engagement available this spring and summer will allow you to work with Canvas at your own pace while learning alongside colleagues across campus.

Thank you for the excellence you bring to teaching and mentoring our students every day. I appreciate your partnership as we move to a new LMS, and I am confident that the structure and support being put in place will help make this change manageable and result in enhanced engagement opportunities with students.

Rebecca Kohn
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Why August 2026A woman with long dark hair and glasses smiles at the camera in a classroom or office setting, with a large red play button overlay centered on the image indicating a video. Whiteboards and tables are visible in the background.

To provide additional context on how the Fall 2026 timeline was determined, we invite you to hear directly from Dhvani Toprani, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies.

In this short video, Dhvani walks through how the timeline was developed and what you can expect in the months ahead.

Watch the Canvas Transition Timeline Overview

 

What This Does Not Change

  • Spring 2026 courses will continue in Moodle.
  • Summer 2026 courses will remain in Moodle (optional opportunities to teach in Canvas may become available for experienced instructors).
  • No immediate instructional shifts are required.

Early Access, Support & Resources

A woman is standing at the front of a classroom, presenting a lesson on 'Learning Objectives' displayed on a large screen. She is gesturing towards the screen while holding papers in her other hand. Several people are seated at tables arranged in a U-shape, attentively listening and taking notes. The room is bright with natural light coming through large windows on the right side.

Early Access Preview Available in April

Beginning in early April 2026, faculty and staff will have access to Canvas for preview and preparation. This early access period is designed to give you time to become familiar with Canvas and begin preparing for Fall 2026 in a low-stakes environment.

During this time, you can:

  • Explore Canvas in a sandbox environment
  • Begin setting up Fall 2026 courses, if you choose
  • Review step-by-step guidance for preparing and transferring course materials
  • Engage in working sessions and training opportunities with TLT support available.

These opportunities are designed to give you time to explore Canvas and begin preparing in a way that aligns with your schedule, whether that is in the spring, summer, or during Planning Week.

Spring, Summer & Planning Week Opportunities

Save the Date! A range of engagement opportunities will be available throughout the spring and summer to support your transition to Canvas.

April & May Working Sessions
Hands-on sessions to explore Canvas and begin migrating course content. Dates will be shared with the Early Access Preview launch.

April 16 (2:00 p.m.) – Canvas Fundamentals and Q&A (virtual)
More details and registration for sessions will be shared with the Early Access Preview Launch.

May 5 (12:00 p.m.), May 12 (12:00 p.m.), May 18 (10:00 a.m.) – Course Migration and Canvas Fundamentals Workshops
More details and registration for sessions will be shared with the Early Access Preview Launch.

May 26 & 27 – Support on the final days of the academic year
TLT will be available in the library for drop-in support during the final days of the academic year. Work alongside your colleagues, with beverages and snacks provided.

Summer Office Hours
Flexible drop-in opportunities offered at varied times throughout the summer.

Self-Paced Courses
Passport to Canvas and Growing with Canvas modules available for guided learning.

Planning Week
Structured Canvas support will be offered during Planning Week.

Ways to Engage Now

There are several ways to get involved and help shape how this transition works for your department:

Canvas Transition Hub Launching Soon

We will soon launch the Canvas Transition Hub, a centralized location for:

  • The official timeline
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Training schedules
  • Migration guidance
  • Archived communications
  • Ongoing updates

The Transition Hub will serve as the single source of truth and will continue to evolve as questions arise and resources expand throughout the transition.

Moving Forward Together

Our goal is simple: when August 2026 arrives, instructors feel prepared, and students feel supported.

In the months ahead, we will continue working alongside you through workshops, working sessions, and ongoing conversations as we prepare for this transition together.

Following spring break, additional updates and opportunities to engage will be shared.