The software company, Instructure, was created in 2008 by two Brigham Young University Students. Today the company is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was originally developed to support the creation of a new learning management system (LMS) called Instructure. That flagship program has since been renamed Canvas. The initial program was designed for universities and was tested on several Utah campuses before being launched in 2011. In 2015, Instructure launched Bridge, another cloud-based program that is intended to enhance employee engagement and corporate training and the business world.
Canvas
Features
Canvas and Canvas K-12 are very similar learning management systems and have a wide variety of feature beneficial to students and instructors at all levels. The design itself is very clean and simple which leads to ease of access and functionality. Listed below are the major features of Canvas (in the order they are listed on the left-hand side of the teacher dashboard) along with a brief description of each.
Announcements - Announcements, or messages, are great ways to get short snippets of information to your students. These appear in the announcement section of the platform and also on the homepage under recent activity.
Assignments - The assignment feature allows for a place to put the assignment details, due date, and grading rubric. The student has the ability to submit a text entry, web link, attach a file or link to a Google Drive file. Information from the assignment page is automatically put on the course calendar, syllabus and grade book without any additional steps from the teacher.
Discussions - This feature allows for the teacher to post a prompt or discussion question to students. The teacher may chose to require students to reply first before being able to view others' responses and can also chose whether it is a threaded, group discussion.
Grades - Grading is simple and "speed grader" allows for faster grading by attaching a learning outcome. Graded rubrics will automatically show in the teacher grade book. Students can see which assignments are awaiting grades and which are graded. Students can also enter alternative scores on certain assignments to see how their overall grade will be impacted.
People - The people feature shows the members of the course but also allows for grouping of students in order to create project groups, focus groups, etc. The teacher can create the groups manually or chose for the system to randomly create groups. There is also an option to allow students to self-select their group.
Pages - Pages can be created for a variety of functions and content and can be grouped together to form modules.
Files - Any files uploaded by the teacher can be found here and can be grouped by folders.
Syllabus - A course syllabus is automatically built as assignments are added to the course. Each assignment on the syllabus links back to the assignment page.
Outcomes - On the outcomes page, teachers can manage and create grading rubrics and learning outcomes for assignments and modules.
Quizzes - The quiz feature allows teacher to create quizzes at varying lengths with varying question types.
Modules - Modules allow the teacher to group assignments, pages, files, etc. into smaller units centered around a theme or topic. Students may be required to complete certain portions, or reach a certain level of mastery, of the module in order for the next module to open.
Conferences - Audio and video conferences can be created and recorded through Canvas using BigBlueButton.Collaborations - In collaborations, all students or student groups can be assigned to collaborate on a Google Doc. All students must have a Google account in order to participate.
Chat - If turned on, chat is a continuous chat room or discussion board for students and teachers. On the right hand side, everyone can see who is currently on the chat screen.
Advantages
Integrates Web 2.0 content
User dashboard clearly reflects recent and upcoming activity
App available for both iPhone and Android
Integrates social media accounts
Students and instructors using individually (not subscribing as an entire school) can use for free
Assignments are automatically put on class calendar and syllabus
Built in conference feature
Disadvantages
At times it's a little touchy/buggy
Sometimes edits revert back to a previous version
Not all video files will play
There is no search feature
There is no way to create and save "Master pages" to reuse in future course
Canvas by Instructure
by: Jordan Pritchett
University of Montevallo
Overview
The software company, Instructure, was created in 2008 by two Brigham Young University Students. Today the company is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company was originally developed to support the creation of a new learning management system (LMS) called Instructure. That flagship program has since been renamed Canvas. The initial program was designed for universities and was tested on several Utah campuses before being launched in 2011. In 2015, Instructure launched Bridge, another cloud-based program that is intended to enhance employee engagement and corporate training and the business world.Canvas
Features
Canvas and Canvas K-12 are very similar learning management systems and have a wide variety of feature beneficial to students and instructors at all levels. The design itself is very clean and simple which leads to ease of access and functionality. Listed below are the major features of Canvas (in the order they are listed on the left-hand side of the teacher dashboard) along with a brief description of each.Advantages
Disadvantages