When you’re tasked with helping hundreds (if not thousands) of instructors transition to a new learning management system, the question isn’t just what you teach—it’s how you teach it.
At UMass Amherst, the move to Canvas happened while we were still deep in the COVID era. That meant our training strategy had to be remote-first, accessible, and flexible. But it also had to be hands-on. Canvas, for all its strengths, is still new to many. So we knew that a Zoom webinar wasn’t going to cut it. Instructors needed time to build, to click, and to practice.
We also made a conscious language choice: rather than saying “faculty,” we consistently used “instructors” to signal that TAs, GAs, adjuncts, staff with instructional duties, and anyone else supporting learning were all welcome. That small shift helped broaden our reach and reinforce our commitment to inclusion.
Building the Foundation: Modular, Accessible, and Iterative
Our training strategy was grounded in two parallel tracks:
- Live, hands-on workshops that scaffolded Canvas skills across short, digestible sessions.
- Self-paced Canvas courses that mirrored the instructor experience—modeling good design while teaching it.
Every workshop followed a clear pattern: an intro, a guided demo, time for attendees to try it out in real time, and an open Q&A. Each one was iterated on based on participant feedback and my team’s review. Having been through a Canvas transition before, I led the design and facilitation—but I also relied heavily on my team to refine and improve each session.
Accessibility was never an afterthought. Our team of instructional designers prioritized universal design and encouraged participants to use Canvas’s native accessibility checker from day one. And while the initial transition focused on technical confidence, one of our future goals is to roll out Canvas-based courses specifically designed to build instructor knowledge in UDL and accessibility practices.
Canvas Building Blocks
Below are a series of videos I made inspired by some of the workshops I conceptualized for a quick look at the key Canvas concepts covered.
Here’s what they cover:
1️⃣ Canvas Overview
A quick tour of the platform to ground new users in Canvas’s interface, terminology, and capabilities.
2️⃣ Home Page
Your course’s first impression. How to design a welcoming, navigable, and branded home page for learners.
3️⃣ Modules
The backbone of Canvas course design—how to create logical learning pathways using the Modules tool.
4️⃣ Navigation
How to simplify the student experience by customizing the course navigation and removing unnecessary clutter.
Self-paced Instructor Training
Video is not everyone’s preferred method of learning so I knew that a self-pace Canvas training course was also essential. Under my leadership, we developed a robust Canvas Instructor Training course in the LMS itself to guide instructors not only through the basics of Canvas, but also the basics of transitioning from Moodle or Blackboard. For a closer look, you can enroll in an edited copy of the training here.
Designing for Change
Rolling out Canvas wasn’t just about learning a new tool. It was about rethinking how we support learning, especially during times of change. By prioritizing accessibility, modularity, and real-world practice, we created a foundation that can grow—and that helps every instructor, no matter their role or experience level, find their footing.
More videos are on the way, and our self-paced courses continue to evolve. But it all started with a clear strategy: meet people where they are, show them what’s possible, and help them build, one module at a time.
