Transition to Canvas

As news of Groton’s switch to Canvas has made its way around the Circle, sighs of discontent and protest can be heard trailing in its wake. For many, the myGroton system has become a staple. Yet, while the familiar layout of myGroton is one regarded fondly, the flaws of its frequent breakdowns and login issues are evident. Despite the flaws of a faulty system, much of the student and faculty population remain hesitant to bid myGroton farewell. While the infrastructure switch to Canvas holds immense potential for positive growth, change is often difficult to accept initially. Regardless of such resistance, the Canvas’ technological and infrastructural superiority confirms this switch is the right decision.

The agenda of a recent Academic Technology Committee (ATC) meeting centered around the introduction of Canvas, a conversation spearheaded by Mr. Gnozzio and Head of Technology, Seth Battis. Discussions among the faculty and student body have led to questions regarding the logistics of the transition and the advantages of Canvas versus myGroton. myGroton operates under Blackbaud, a software company providing online platforms for services including school management. According to an employee FAQ produced by Seth Battis, the key causes behind the termination of Groton’s contract with Blackbaud are the company’s "technical debt,” a decline in technology support quality, and a 23-30% cost increase despite the previously stated issues.

The term technical debt refers to Blackbaud’s procurement of Whipple Hill, a software company crucial to the operation of myGroton, that struggles with long implementation timelines and instability. This lack of timeliness combined with the poor technological support provided by Blackbaud, which Mr. Battis describes as “misleading” and “delay[ed]”, greatly impairs the effectiveness of myGroton. Such fundamental failures on the part of Blackbaud paired with an “excessive” increase in cost was simply impractical from an administrative standpoint. Canvas was chosen as a solution after an extensive interview and selection process, prioritizing needs expressed by faculty and staff.

From the administrative perspective explored earlier, the myGroton versus Canvas debate is rather straightforward. Yet personal opinion has heavily factored into the general consensus on which platform is better. While student opinion favors the digestible format of myGroton it is factually evident that Canvas is far superior in reliability, module organization, and effective technological tools. In such an instance, the dedication to myGroton’s defense is a result of familiarity. Such attachment invalidates the comparison of the two infrastructures, as objective reasoning is often disregarded in favor of personal preference.

Past changes to school-wide technology, like the switch in Assignment Center design, have been met with a sense of common disapproval across the student body. Yet, as time often reveals, such resolve is often dissolved as the benefits of change shine through. The quantitative data supporting the switch from Blackbaud to Canvas exists, supported by the bumpy experience of the status quo. In the face of such concrete data, the familiarity of Blackbaud pales in comparison to the potential of Canvas; a truth that validates the switch.