FAQs for Students

What’s a learning management system?
A learning management system (or LMS) is a software platform that lets instructors design, deliver and assess learning programs and outcomes. Students can use an LMS to manage their course materials, submit assignments, check their learning progress and more.
What's changing?
The University of Alberta is committed to innovation and keeping students at the heart of everything we do. In line with these values and as part of the Student Experience Action Plan, the university is investing in a Learning Management System (LMS) with Canvas to replace eClass, affecting most student-facing courses (excluding eClass External) by Fall 2025.
Why now?
To achieve the strategic vision of the future through the Student Experience Action Plan, immediate action is needed. Feedback from across the university community indicates that the current LMS is creating more challenges than positive impacts. With significant system outages, it’s clear that eClass has reached its limits.

Three key factors are driving the urgency of this change:
  • System reliability - too many instructors, students and support teams have been impacted by system outages and delayed software updates with the current learning management system.
  • Sustainability - heavy system maintenance needs are out of balance with the free cost of access. Additionally, the current learning management system cannot support a more modern teaching and learning experience with a wider range of design and delivery options.
  • Reputation - as a top-tier university, the U of A is the last of the English-language U15 institutions to upgrade to a more modern learning management system, which is an important factor in attracting and retaining people, including students.
When is this change happening?
To minimize the disruption to people during this widespread change, the new Canvas LMS is being rolled out in three waves, starting with some courses in Fall 2024. This phased approach is more complex to deliver compared to a big change all at once, which reflects the U of A’s commitment to making the people experience the first priority on this change journey. Students will be guided to the relevant LMS by their instructors. Please see the Project Timeline for more details.
Will all of my previous work in eClass go away or be deleted?
No. Given the complexities of such a large transition, the U of A is running both Canvas and eClass in parallel for the first two years. By Fall 2025, eClass will be placed in read-only mode for all credit and non-credit catalogue courses. This sunset strategy allows for a three-stage transition to the new normal with Canvas. Once course creators are onboarded into Canvas, they will effectively stop creating new content in eClass. However, instructors will still have access to their course content in eClass (read-only) under the current archive policy.
How can students find their courses/how do students know which LMS to use?
Students may have courses in Canvas, eClass or both learning management systems. To ensure access to all course materials, log in and check both Canvas and eClass. Instructors will guide students on where to access their course site.
How do I login to Canvas?
Go to the U of A's Canvas page and enter your U of A CCID and password to login to the Canvas web app.
How do I download the Canvas Student mobile app?
If you wish to use the Canvas Student mobile app on your phone or tablet, follow these iOS or Android instructions. Login with your U of A CCID.
Where can I find on-demand help for using Canvas?
Once you login at the U of A's Canvas page with your U of A CCID, select Resources from the left menu to see a list of learning and support links. If you're using the Canvas mobile app, tap the top left menu to find Resources and tap again to view the full list.