Thinking of using a learning management system (LMS) in your organization? Chances are that you’ve already heard about Canvas LMS and Blackboard Learn.
These are ranked among the most popular LMS platforms, with a huge number of users vouching for their usability. However, which one is better out of the two? Let’s find out the answer in this comprehensive Canvas vs. Blackboard feature comparison guide.
Canvas LMS is an open-source platform known for its simple interface, flexibility, and customization capabilities. Developed by Instructure, it is a versatile system that has proven equally beneficial in the educational and corporate sectors for managing online, hybrid, and face-to-face learning experiences.
The platform offers various tools for collaboration, course creation, content delivery, grading assignments, and user engagement, making it a popular choice among K-12 schools, higher education institutes, and corporate training departments.
A prominent name in the LMS space, Blackboard Learn software has remained a preferred choice of educational institutes and organizations for nearly three decades. It is an integrated LMS that delivers a powerful learning experience through its advanced features for course management, collaboration, and learner engagement.
Known for its flexibility, Blackboard supports traditional face-to-face, blended, and fully online learning environments. Its multiple deployment options (self, managed, and cloud-hosting) further add to its flexibility. It is primarily utilized by K-12 schools, higher educational institutions, government agencies, and corporate organizations.
Key Benefits Of Blackboard
Ultra Experience
Blackboard 'Ultra Experience' refers to the platform’s modern, user-friendly interface and workflows. It features a response design, making the software easier to use, irrespective of the device.
Live chat, dedicated managers
The functionality of Blackboard can be further enhanced by utilizing pre-built integrated learning tools for accessibility, plagiarism detection, and hosting audio/video conference. These tools empower educators to create inclusive, engaging, and academically rigorous learning environments.
Virtual Classroom
Blackboard’s virtual classroom features empower trainers and instructors to conduct live online sessions with learners for a more engaging and interactive experience.
Is Canvas LMS better, or does Blackboard Learn offer the best functionality? Let’s figure this out in this head-to-head feature comparison:
Content Editor
Canvas
Canvas has a simple and straightforward content editor, with keyboard shortcuts, that allows trainers to create visually appealing, media-rich content. It supports multimedia types, such as images, videos, and embedded external content, which further enhances its functionality and appeal.
Additionally, users can also embed quizzes and utilize the text customization options for an enhanced and interactive learning experience.
Blackboard
Like Canvas, Blackboard also offers editing and content creation tools. It has a WIRIS tool that enables users to insert math formulas and equations into tests, discussions, and assignments. Additionally, there’s a drag-and-drop feature for content creation. However, the interface looks cluttered and lacks intuitiveness.
Winner: Functionality wise, both platforms are on the same level. But Canvas takes the lead because of its user-friendly interface and a modern look.
Collaboration
Canvas
Canvas LMS offers a robust set of collaboration tools for group discussions and assignments. Instructors can leverage these tools to create group pages for students to work together and share resources easily.
Canvas’s collaboration capabilities are further enhanced by its ability to integrate with platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Assignments, Zoom, etc.
Blackboard
Blackboard excels in collaboration with top-of-the-line tools like group pages, direct emails, discussion boards, and live sessions. It also allows users to schedule live sessions using video conferencing tools, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Winner: This one ends in a draw as both Canvas and Blackboard come with enhanced collaboration functionalities.
Virtual Learning
Canvas
Canvas supports virtual learning with its ability to integrate with various third-party applications. The process to set up virtual classroom is easy and straightforward. This allows users to easily schedule virtual classes right from the platform.
Moreover, trainers and instructors can also set up conferences, assign breakout rooms, and link these sessions with their course material – all from the platform’s intuitive dashboard.
Blackboard
Blackboard supports virtual learning through its native tool, 'Collaborate Ultra'. It comes with an array of features, such as live polling, breakout rooms, and file sharing during live sessions.
These features provide a rich environment for synchronous learning, empowering trainers to engage learners actively in real-time. However, unlike Canvas LMS, which easily integrates with third-party systems, Collaborate Ultra requires the instructor or institution to handle some initial configuration.
Winner: While Blackboard’s native tool is powerful, it may require an extra deployment step that can add complexity. Therefore, Canvas is declared as the winner of this round mainly due to ease of access.
Grading
Canvas
Canvas’ grading features are highly regarded, thanks to its pre-built SpeedGrader. It streamlines the assignment evaluation process and makes it interactive by enabling trainers to give feedback in audio/video forms directly on learners’ submissions.
Users can create and apply 'rubrics' - predefined criteria used to evaluate assignments - automatically, saving time and effort. Furthermore, the gradebook can be integrated with assignments and assessments to provide real-time updates on progress. Instructors can also apply custom grading schemes.
Blackboard
Blackboard offers a Grade Center with powerful grading tools, including inline scoring and custom grading scales. It also enables instructors to give real-time feedback on assignments and assessments.
The standout feature, however, is its ability to manage larger datasets, making it suitable for intuitions and organizations with complex grading needs.
Winner: While the feature set is similar, Canvas takes the lead here with more interactive and engaging feedback options.
Gamification
Canvas
Canvas LMS comes with integrated gamification features like badges and custom learning paths. Instructors can utilize these features while designing quizzes and assessments, allowing trainees/students to earn badges or face setbacks based on their performance. These features also help users to track their progress.
Blackboard
Blackboard also offers gamification features, enabling instructors to create web links for trainees to access the game. Users earn points and rewards as they complete certain tasks. Furthermore, there’s a comprehensive leaderboard that tracks their progress.
Winner: It’s a tie! Both these platforms offer extensive gamification features, making learning a fun, interactive, and engaging experience. The presence of these features also fosters healthy peer competition.
Ease Of Use
Canvas
Canvas has a clean, intuitive interface, making it easier for both beginners and pros to use it and navigate through its features. Everything from course creation to grading is streamlined with a few clicks.
The user-friendly dashboard with a clear layout further enhances its appeal.
Blackboard
Blackboard has a modern and sleek look. It is easier to use, thanks to the clean layout. Features are well-placed and easier to navigate. Whether it’s accessing courses, grading tools, or analytics, the platform’s minimalistic design makes everything simple.
Winner: Another tie situation! Both Blackboard and Canvas are appreciated for their clean look and user-friendly interface. Even users with non-technical backgrounds can adapt to these platforms without any complexity.
Mobile Accessibility
Canvas
Canvas offers three dedicated mobile applications for instructors, learners, parents called 'Canvas Teacher', 'Canvas Student', and 'Canvas Parent’ respectively.
These are well-optimized applications containing almost all the features of the desktop version. Instructors can use them to assign tasks, grade assessments, and track students’ progress, while students can submit assignments and communicate with their instructors on the go. Similarly, parents can view assignment descriptions and due dates, set reminders, and view grades from their mobile devices.
Blackboard
Unlike Canvas, Blackboard has only one mobile app called 'Blackboard Learn'. Using this app, users can submit assignments, receive notifications about due dates, and perform other functions on the go. However, it doesn’t offer all the features available on the web.
Winner: Canvas is the clear winner here, with three dedicated applications for instructors, students, and parents. The availability of separate apps keeps things organized as the intended users only have the required features at their disposal.
Integrations
Canvas
Canvas is widely known for its extensive integration capabilities, making it a flexible option for users to tailor their learning environments. It enables users to access their required resources easily without having to switch between different platforms.
Users can integrate Canvas with more than 500 technology partners. Some of the popular platforms it integrates with are:
- Google Classroom
- Synergy
- Veracross
- PowerSchool
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
Blackboard
Blackboard offers built-in connections to popular third-party systems and applications, making it easier for users to enhance its functionality.
The process to set up these integrations is easy and does not require users to have extensive technical expertise.
Some of the popular platforms Blackboard integrates are:
- Microsoft Office
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Canva
- Ad Astra
- TCP software
Winner: This round ends in a draw as both these platforms enable users to connect with numerous third-party applications to get the desired functionality.
Analytics
Canvas
Canvas features strong built-in tools for reporting and analytics. These tools help instructors and trainers obtain key insights into learners’ participation ratio, assignment completion, and overall performance and engagement.
Users can access these reports through an easy-to-use and feature-rich analytics dashboard. This makes them well-positioned to identify learners who are struggling with completing their allocated tasks and need additional support.
Blackboard
Blackboard offers deep data insights and advanced analytics capabilities with features like students' progress tracking and course analytics. Instructors can get real-time reporting on various metrics like student performance and engagement, which they can use to tailor their strategies accordingly.
That said, accessing these advanced analytics can be more complex and may require administrative support.
Winner: Although Blackboard offers deep insights, accessing them can be a complicated process. Therefore, Canvas leads this round as it offers an easy way to access analytics and reports.
Support
Canvas
Canvas users can access customer support through different channels. It also has an active community where individuals can seek guidance from others. Besides that, users can benefit from its extensive troubleshooting guide that provides answers to commonly asked questions.
Blackboard
Blackboard offers comprehensive support in the form of extensive training resources and live chat support. Enterprise clients can benefit from a dedicated account manager.
It also has an active community that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing, and exchange of best practices.
Winner: Both these platforms offer extensive support options. However, Blackboard surpasses Canvas due to the live chat support options as it enables users to resolve their issues at the earliest.
When comparing Blackboard vs Canvas, both platforms are widely appreciated for their usability and unique strengths. However, Canvas tends to be the popular choice among institutions and organizations that prioritize mobile accessibility, customization options, and ease of use.
Blackboard, on the other hand, is a better choice for larger institutions that require extensive functionality and features.