There are a lot of learning management systems out there that one can choose from and most of these are pretty good at their work. The most popular learning management systems are used by some of the biggest institutions and corporate businesses in the world. One such LMS is Canvas. You may have already heard about Canvas but probably do not know much about it. If that is the case, then this article is exactly what you have been waiting for. In this article today, we will take a look at Canvas LMS and show you all the important facts you need to know about it.
- What is Canvas?
Canvas is a learning management system that is web-based. Canvas is a reliable and open platform through which institutions can get access to and manage digital learning, present online learning materials and assess the performance of students.
It is an internet platform used by learning institutions, students, and educators. Canvas allows such people to get access to online course learning materials as well as to manage them. It also allows them to communicate about the development of skills and achievements in education as well.
On Canvas, there are several customizable course creation tools. This comes along with several management tools as well on the platform. There are also course and user analytics tools as well as statistics and internal communication tools. Institutions that use Canvas will have to provide their users with an account. However, people can also try out the free version of Canvas by creating their accounts online. This means that although the LMS is mainly a web-based platform, it can be accessed by any kind of person on their mobile devices. There are several apps that individuals can use to access Canvas and they are:
- Canvas teacher app
- Canvas student app
- Canvas parent app
- Features of Canvas
The platform comes with several built-in features that pertain to construction and management tools. These features can be used in creating unique and accessible teaching and learning experiences for both teachers and students. Teachers and instructors can create and share courses by using the following tools:
- Assignments
- Discussions
- Modules
- Quizzes
- Pages
Teachers and instructors may also decide to use collaborative learning through collaborations, conferences, and group tools on the platform. They can also add state and institutional learning to the Rubrics tool to allow them to measure and track their students’ performances and skill development. Course creators can also make use of the Course Import tool to upload pre-existing course packages in bulk. The same can be done for other learning materials.
The teachers and instructors are also able to provide the students with comprehensive feedback on the assignments and tasks they undertake through the SpeedGrader tool. Grade reporting can also be managed in the Canvas Gradebook tool. With the Chat tool, real-time course interactions and communications can take place. The Announcement tool is used in communicating course news and updates along with the calendar and syllabus tools. With the Canvas Analytics tool, teachers and instructors can also gain better insight into the progress and development of their students. SQL data can also be accessed by admins concerning their Canvas user and usage details through the Canvas Data Services tool.
There is also the Data App Center where the admins and the instructors can gain access to several varieties of External Apps tools. Apart from these, there are more tools that users can take advantage of when using the Canvas platform to give them the best online learning experiences. Some of these additional features found on the Canvas learning management system are:
- Canvas catalog
- Canvas studio
- Canvas commons
- MasteryConnect
- Portfolium
- Who can use Canvas?
There are a total of 6 standard user roles on the Canvas platform. These user roles are
- Admins
- Designers
- Instructors
- Teachers
- Assistants
- Students
- Observers
However, any institution can create any custom user roles they want with varied access to the Canvas platform. The assigned role of a user is what will determine their level of access and interaction on the Canvas platform.
Admins can have access to user accounts, add courses and manage institutional grading periods as well. Canvas can be used by just about anyone. All you have to do is to sign up for an account through one of the apps managed by the platform.
- Price
There is a free version of Canvas that anyone can access by signing up for an account on the apps managed by the platform. However, if you want access to additional features and add-ons, you will be required to make a yearly payment of $299 per user.
- Support
Canvas also has great frontline support by phone, chat, and email where users can get help on anything they need from the developers.
- Conclusion
Canvas is one of the best LMS out there and it is accessible to almost everyone through its free version. If you are thinking about trying an alternative after using many other LMS out there, Canvas may be the one you should try next.