Rumors of Blackboard being phased out were confirmed when a blue icon with a white 'C' appeared in AU Access this fall.
The Instructional Multimedia Group of the Office of Information Technology announced that Canvas from the company Instrucure will replace Blackboard by the end of next year.
Kathy McClelland, manager of IMG, said the reason for the switch is the University's licensing agreement with Blackboard expires in 2012.
McClelland said Canvas is capable of doing everything Blackboard does and more.
Canvas and Blackboard are just two of several programs known as learning-management systems, which provide schools with the technology to manage course content online.
The software utilizes Internet innovations which make sites like Twitter and Hulu popular and will help students learn to use it faster.
While some may be opposed to the new system, many students are mostly apathetic to the system changes.
Some, like Haley Steger, graduate student in math, don't give it much attention.
"I don't use Blackboard except to post grades and post the syllabus," said Steger, who teaches a calculus class.
She said she wasn't aware of everything Canvas can do, but was planning on attending a training session for the software.
Students are currently able to view Canvas through AU Access, but McClelland said only a limited number of classes are using the program this semester.
The trial run will help IMG address any problems before the big switch.
According to the IMG website, training and informational videos are available this semester, and the software will be available for faculty this spring.
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