Canvas in an online learning management system for schools, districts, and universities. Educators use Canvas to manage their classrooms by taking attendance, uploading assignments and class files, and posting grades while students log on to check and complete assignments, view course materials, and monitor their grades. Canvas is available for purchase at an annual subscription rate.

APPROACH

Educators begin using canvas by logging on with their school system username and password, and following prompts to set up their profile. Once logged in, they go to their ‘Courses and Groups’ dashboard to set up a class home page and enter in student information for that class.They add students by searching their name in the ‘People’ tab within the dashboard, or by importing class lists. When setting up their homepage, they select the ‘Edit’ button to add in content for the class such as links, files, and texts. To create assignments for students, teachers select the ‘Assignments’ tab from the menu in the ‘Courses and Groups’ dashboard. They select the ‘+ Assignment’ button and create an assignment using Canvas’ assignment builder tool or upload their own. Assignments can be student submissions, online quizzes, or discussion posts. In the ‘Grades’ section, educators enter in student grades. In both the ‘Files’ and ‘Modules’ dashboards, teachers upload files such as syllabi, powerpoints, and video links for students to view. In the ‘attendance’ dashboard, educators can take attendance. After all text and content has been implemented, teachers upload the site.

Student users have the same interface view of Canvas as educators do, and use it to view all teacher-uploaded content, as well as their grades. Students view announcements and complete assignments by going to those respective dashboards. Students select to open an assignment and complete the quiz or discussion post, or upload a submission by either entering in text or importing a Microsoft Word or Google Doc document. Students view a feed of past, current, and upcoming assignments on the right of their dashboard. All users can communicate with each other via the inbox messaging tool or the discussion dashboard.

WHO’S USING IT

As of 2016, over 18,000,000 students in teachers in over 1,600 learning institutions are using Canvas.

PRICING

Inquiries about pricing options can be made on the Canvas website.