Canvas Introduction

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) which is an open and reliable web-based software. This allows people to manage digital learning in schools across the world. Educators can facilitate digital learning, create and present online materials, assess student learning and engage in course feedback. Any user can access the Canvas app on a mobile device.

Purpose for Adult Learners

Canvas...

...empowers learners, anywhere and at any time.
...unlocks tailored learning pathways for differentiation.
...validates learning achievements with badging opportunities from day 1.
...goes beyond one-size-fits-all.
...adapts to your learners' unique requirements.
...tracks learning mastery and progress with robust analytics.
...users can access a Canvas course on a mobile phone, online or offline, or on a laptop or tablet.

Learn more about the Canvas Product

Canvas Benefits

Accessibility: Canvas supports a range of assistive devices & enables UDL in an online environment.
Flexibility: Web-based and can be connected with a mobile app anytime, anywhere with an internet connection and a supported web browser.
Digital literacy: Students use technology within their coursework using a variety of applications thus improving their digital literacy.
Alignment to higher education: TK-12 & Community Colleges throughout California use Canvas.

Basic Canvas Features

Canvas includes a variety of built-in course construction and management tools that can be customized to create unique and accessible teaching and learning experiences.

Instructional designers and instructors may create and share course content using Assignments, Discussions, Modules, Quizzes, and Pages. They may also choose to foster a collaborative learning experience using Collaborations, Conferences, and Groups. Additionally, course creators can use the Course Import Tool to bulk-upload pre-existing LMS course packages and/or course materials.
Students use Canvas to view and interact with course materials, view feedback, communicate with their instructor, and interact with other course users.
Students and instructors can showcase their work by creating their own ePortfolios.
Canvas also allows institutions and instructors to add state and institutional learning outcomes to rubrics in order to measure and track student skill development and learning achievement. Optionally, instructors can customize the learning experience using Mastery Paths.
Instructors can provide students with comprehensive feedback on assignment and quiz submissions using SpeedGrader and manage grade reporting in the Canvas Gradebook. Instructors can also allow peer reviews to encourage student-to-student feedback.
Instructors can facilitate real-time course interactions using Chat and communicate course news and updates with students using Announcements as well as the Calendar and Syllabus. Additionally, all course participants can use the Canvas Inbox to send and receive messages.
Instructors and admins can gain greater insight into student success and make informed instructional decisions using data provided in Canvas Analytics. Admins can also access SQL data about their Canvas user and usage details form Canvas Data Services.
Canvas also includes the Canvas App Center, where admins, designers, and instructors can enable a variety of External Apps (LTI Tools) and services. The ever-growing app library offers a wide array of interactive resources, content repositories, assessment tools, social media integrations, and other digital learning and teaching resources.

Learn more about all Canvas features, review the Canvas Guides, and compare Canvas Free for Teacher features with features included in a paid account.

Watch

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) that is perfect for hybrid or fully asynchronous online course offerings and can serve as a repository for your program or agency's materials.

Canvas includes a variety of built-in course construction and management tools that can be customized to create unique and accessible teaching and learning experiences. This pre-recorded webinar will demonstrate how to create a course front page as well as build a module with an opening page, a discussion, an assignment, and a quiz.

PRESENTER: Kristi Reyes, Mira Costa Community College, OTAN Subject Matter Expert
DATE: 07/08/2022