Canvas and Blackbaud Integration - What does it look like?

Jennifer Miller

Hello. We are currently using Canvas and in the process of integrating Blackbaud. We would really like to know what the integration looks like. Should our teachers enter data in Blackbaud? Should they enter it in Canvas? What does it look like when they sync? Any help or guidance is appreciated!

Katherine Nolte

@Jennifer Miller
I looked at purchasing Canvas several months ago. I asked the sales rep for Canvas to give me the names of some schools that had successfully integrated the two systems. She never responded to either of my 2 emails. I'm interested to hear if any schools reply with some examples. We were looking into Canvas because they have a great Standards-Based Gradebook. I'd like to use them but not if we can't pass the grades back into Blackbaud for Report Cards.

-Katherine

Traci Holinger

@Katherine Nolte and @Jennifer Miller
We have integrated Canvas and Blackbaud for the course, sections and enrollments and are very pleased with the results. We have not integrated the grades at this time. It is my understanding when setting up Grade Pass Back, is every assignement will be brought over from Canvas to Blackbaud. Hence, teachers need to set up two gradebooks so the overall grade will match. In addition, last I knew, teachers had to click the sync now button (at least weekly) for the grades to come over. I would ask if this is now automated. Today, we have teachers manually enter the semester grades from Canvas into Blackbaud and add comments if a student has a D or F. However, I have heard of some schools exporting to import the semester end grades (you can do this for 6-week grading as well). I hope this helps and would be happy to discuss our integration process from Blackbaud to Canvas.

Kristen Duval

@Jennifer Miller I've worked with a few schools that have utilized the grade passback feature. This will sync Canvas gradebook grades to Blackbaud's gradebook but requires specific setup within Blackbaud. For example, assignment types to be included in the sync need to match between the two systems. I believe that teacher's are required to sync grades on their end, but can set up an automation so that this is done nightly. Here are a few links that have been shared with me that might be helpful!

How do I sync grades from Canvas to the Blackbaud gradebook?

How do I set up an assignment to be sent to Blackbaud for grade passback?

How do I automate course grade sync from Canvas to my Blackbaud gradebook?

Manuel Nouer

@Jennifer Miller
so cool!

Jennifer Miller

@Kristen Duval
Thanks for the links, Kristen. Very helpful!

Jennifer Miller

@Traci Holinger
Thanks, Traci. I sent a DM.

Jennifer Miller

@Katherine Nolte
Hi, Katherine. It is possible to pass the grades back from Canvas to Blackbaud, but from what I'm hearing from those who have already set it up is that there are a few tricks to get it to work successfully. Blackbaud actually calls it “grade passback”.