A smooth experience across devices is guaranteed by Canvas, a well-designed mobile application that mirrors a large portion of the online platform’s capabilities. Students and teachers can check grades, turn in assignments, take part in conversations, and even see course materials while on the go with the help of the mobile app. In contrast to its web interface or the Canvas mobile app, Blackboard’s mobile app is functional but has less functionality. Although it lacks some of the more sophisticated capabilities included in the PC version, it offers basic access to grades, assignments, and course materials.
With a wide range of options that improve functionality and create a customized learning environment, Canvas shines when it comes to third-party application integration. Examples include smooth connections with Google Drive, Office 365, and other educational tools (Parekh, 2024).
For both students and teachers, using learning platforms is essential, and both Canvas and Blackboard have tools that encourage communication and monitor progress. Canvas has a very user-friendly analytics dashboard that lets teachers keep an eye on student participation and engagement and pinpoint areas where students might need more help. Teachers may make data-driven decisions to improve the learning process thanks to this intuitive interface.
Although Blackboard’s analytics features might not be as comprehensive or intuitive as Canvas’s, they are nonetheless available. Although Blackboard’s analytics tools are capable of monitoring student performance and engagement, instructors seeking quick, meaningful information may find them less accessible due to their complexity, which frequently takes more time to navigate and analyze (Malik et al., 2020).
It is assumed that all users have the required hardware and consistent internet access in order to compare Canvas with Blackboard. Additionally, it assumes that users are proficient in navigating and using these platforms and possess a basic grasp of technology. When choosing a platform for nursing education, accessibility and user-friendliness are crucial because instructors and students may have different levels of technology expertise.
While both Blackboard and Canvas provide LMS features, they differ in terms of learning statistics, mobile access, customisation choices, third-party app integration, and user interface. For nursing students who require instant access to course materials and communication tools, Canvas’s user-friendly layout and intuitive design make it stand out. Despite having many features, Blackboard can need additional technical assistance (Tuma, 2021).