Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Canvas by Instructure VS Blackboard Learn

Compare Canvas by Instructure VS Blackboard Learn and see what are their differences

Canvas by Instructure logo Canvas by Instructure

The Canvas LMS is the world's fastest growing learning management system. Check out favorite features and schedule a live demo!

Blackboard Learn logo Blackboard Learn

Blackboard provides enterprise technology and innovative solutions that enhance teaching and learning methods
  • Canvas by Instructure Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-11
  • Blackboard Learn Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-26

Canvas by Instructure features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Canvas is designed with a simple, clean interface that is easy for both instructors and students to navigate, reducing the learning curve.
  • Customizable
    Canvas offers extensive customization options, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs and branding.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Canvas supports a wide range of third-party integrations, including popular educational tools and services, increasing its adaptability.
  • Mobile App
    Canvas provides a robust mobile app that allows students and teachers to access course materials, submit assignments, and engage in discussions on the go.
  • Active Community and Support
    Canvas has a large community of users who share resources and strategies, as well as extensive support options including guides, tutorials, and customer service.
  • Robust Analytics
    Canvas includes powerful analytics tools that allow educators to track student performance and engagement, facilitating data-driven decisions.

Possible disadvantages of Canvas by Instructure

  • Cost
    The pricing for Canvas can be high, particularly for smaller institutions, and additional costs may be incurred for certain premium features or integrations.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are straightforward, more advanced functionalities can have a steeper learning curve, requiring time and training to utilize fully.
  • Occasional Downtime
    Some users have reported occasional downtime or slow performance, which can be disruptive to the teaching and learning process.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Canvas's offline access features are somewhat limited, making it difficult for students and instructors to work without a stable internet connection.
  • Support Response Time
    While Canvas offers comprehensive support, some users have experienced slower response times for resolving issues, especially during peak usage periods.
  • Complexity for Large Courses
    Managing very large courses with many students can be complex and require more administrative effort, which can be cumbersome without adequate support.

Blackboard Learn features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Blackboard Learn features an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, which minimizes the learning curve for new users.
  • Comprehensive Tools
    The platform offers a wide range of educational tools and resources including quizzes, assignments, discussion boards, and multimedia support, enhancing the overall learning experience.
  • Mobile Accessibility
    The Blackboard Learn mobile app allows students and instructors to access course materials and interact with the platform on the go.
  • Robust Communication
    Integrated tools for announcements, messaging, and discussion forums facilitate effective communication between students and instructors.
  • Customization
    Instructors can customize the course layout and content to better fit their teaching style and the needs of their students.

Possible disadvantages of Blackboard Learn

  • Cost
    Blackboard Learn can be expensive for institutions, which may be a barrier for smaller schools or those with limited budgets.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up and configuring the platform can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring specialized IT support.
  • Performance Issues
    Users have reported occasional performance issues such as slow loading times and downtime, which can disrupt the learning experience.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering the more advanced features can be challenging for some users.
  • Limited Integrations
    Although Blackboard Learn supports various integrations, it may not seamlessly integrate with all third-party applications that an institution uses.

Analysis of Canvas by Instructure

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Canvas by Instructure is considered a strong choice for educational institutions seeking a reliable and effective learning management system. Its emphasis on simplicity without sacrificing functionality makes it a popular option among schools, colleges, and universities.

Why this product is good

  • Canvas by Instructure is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, robust set of features, and flexibility. It's designed to facilitate teaching and learning through customizable course creation, a wide range of integrations with other educational tools, and comprehensive analytics to track student progress. Instructors and students alike appreciate its intuitive navigation and accessibility, which supports a positive educational experience.

Recommended for

    Canvas is recommended for educational institutions of all sizes, from K-12 schools to higher education establishments. It is particularly beneficial for environments where both online and blended learning are prominent, and where there is a need for strong analytical tools to track and enhance student performance. Additionally, institutions looking for a customizable and scalable LMS solution will find Canvas suitable to their needs.

Analysis of Blackboard Learn

Overall verdict

  • Blackboard Learn is generally considered a good option for educational institutions seeking a comprehensive and customizable LMS. However, some users may experience a learning curve due to its wide array of features, and others have reported that the interface can feel outdated compared to newer platforms. Overall, it remains a solid choice for those who need a reliable and scalable solution for managing educational content and facilitating online learning.

Why this product is good

  • Blackboard Learn, now part of Anthology, is a widely used Learning Management System (LMS) that offers robust tools for educators and students. It provides features such as content management, assessment tools, communication aids, and real-time feedback, which enhance the teaching and learning experience. The platform is also highly customizable, allowing institutions to tailor it to their specific needs. Furthermore, Blackboard Learn integrates with various third-party applications, offering flexibility and extending its functionality.

Recommended for

    Blackboard Learn is recommended for institutions and educators looking for a robust and flexible LMS solution. It suits universities and colleges that require extensive functionality and customizability, and it can also benefit corporate training environments. It is ideal for users who require a well-supported platform capable of managing large volumes of users and content.

Canvas by Instructure videos

CANVAS BEAUTY HAIR GROWTH SERUM ๐Ÿ’• PRODUCT REVIEW!

More videos:

  • Review - Canvas Beauty Brand | 3 Month Product Review Update
  • Review - Canvas Beauty Hair Growth Serum RESULTS| 30 Day Challenge Results

Blackboard Learn videos

Blackboard Learn Review: Hard to use software that is also very expensive!

More videos:

  • Review - Blackboard Learn Review: Blackboard Review
  • Review - Blackboard Learn Review: using blackboard makes my day worse

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Canvas by Instructure and Blackboard Learn)
Education
55 55%
45% 45
Online Education
100 100%
0% 0
LMS
39 39%
61% 61
Other Education Tech
100 100%
0% 0

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Reviews

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Blackboard Learn Reviews

10 Best Google Classroom Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?
If you want to opt for a tried and true Google Classroom alternative, Blackboard Learn is the way to go. This learning management system largely caters to higher education. Although, the company has been gearing its services toward business and government entities as well. Consequently, Blackboard has added a new LMS version called โ€œLearn Ultra.โ€ Whatโ€™s more, is that Learn...
Top 15 educational software to streamline the learning process
Blackboard Learn has course development and management capabilities, discussion forums, online assessments, grade tracking, and connected education spaces. Some of its upsides include supporting asynchronous learning for flexibility and accessibility, streamlining administrative processes, and enhancing the overall teaching and learning experience.
The 10 Best Moodle Alternatives & Competitors (Updated for 2024)
Blackboard Learn facilitates collaboration through features like announcements, instant messaging tools, and discussion boards. These help learners better communicate with instructors and collaborate with peers.
Source: www.docebo.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Canvas by Instructure and Blackboard Learn, you can also consider the following products

PowerSchool - PowerSchool provides a K-12 education technology platform for operations, classroom, student growth, and family engagement.

Canvas LMS - Canvas is the trusted, open-source learning management system (LMS) that's revolutionizing the way we educate. Take Canvas for a test drive with our free, two-week trial account. Sign up now! Call 800-203-6755.

Teachable - Create and sell beautiful online courses with the platform used by the best online entrepreneurs to sell $100m+ to over 4 million students worldwide.

Talent LMS - A super-easy, cloud LMS to train your employees, partners, customers or students.

Clever - syncing between education applications for K-12 schools

Litmos LMS - Most User-Friendly Learning Management System (LMS) in the World