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Editorial: UCLA’s switch from CCLE to Canvas streamlines learning but will require patience

By Editorial Board

Jan. 17, 2022 9:49 p.m.

Editor’s note: Editorials are intended to serve as the jumping-off point, not the conclusion, to discussion. As part of the Daily Bruin’s commitment to its readers, the board hopes to present a responsible and clear analysis of relevant events and news items affecting the lives of those we serve, but our editorials are not representative of the Daily Bruin’s views on issues as a whole. We encourage all readers to reach out to our board members and to respond to our editorials.

At last, UCLA is shifting away from its much-maligned CCLE system.

This board has been critical of the inconsistencies and unreliability of the CCLE system. System malfunctions, shutdowns and the difficulty of carrying over grades from MyUCLA make CCLE a relic, especially during a time when online learning has become a staple of higher education.

The new Bruin Learn system, built on the Canvas platform, does much to compensate for CCLE’s shortcomings. The 24/7 technical support behind Canvas can help students and faculty navigate any potential system failures. The system’s robust mobile option, notification and messaging system are all convenient add-ons that could improve students’ online learning experience.

While these benefits may not be fully realized until Bruins become more familiar and comfortable with the platform, the change lays the groundwork for a more streamlined learning system that doesn’t interfere with learning and provides features students deserve in an online-focused educational landscape.

The change also brings UCLA in line with other University of California campuses, California community colleges and high schools that already use the Canvas platform as their learning tool of choice. New students and instructors who transfer to UCLA will already be familiar with the learning platform – marking one less challenge students face as they enter a new university.

UCLA should be commended for recognizing the shortcomings of CCLE and making efforts to fix them. The school has also provided a suite of resources to help students and faculty navigate the new Bruin Learn system.

UCLA alerted students and faculty in several emails throughout the fall quarter about the transition to Bruin Learn. It also made available a Bruin Learn resource guide with training videos, guidances and links to online office hours.

However, the abrupt return to online learning and the sudden shift to Canvas have made navigating a new learning platform difficult for some. Students and faculty now have dozens more navigation bars and links to click on but no means of connecting with one another in person for guidance.

With the many challenges college students and faculty deal with – especially during this uncertain time – the systems that facilitate learning should be as frictionless as possible.

UCLA should communicate to students and faculty by sending additional emails or posting tweets to remind them of available resources. Professors must also help students navigate the new sites through in-class instruction and video guides while offering leniency in the early months of the transition.

Forgiveness and patience are key.

At another turbulent point in the pandemic, UCLA needs to make its online learning environment consistent, accessible and easy to navigate. Canvas could deliver this promise, but only if the university ensures a smooth transition.

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