FORUM Canvas Connect was held recently at Manila Hotel. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Very few—if any—people pursue education just to get a diploma or to boast about how much knowledge they have acquired, even if they eventually become lifelong learners.
Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) allows students to supplement and complement their classroom and theoretical instruction with practical skills that will enhance their employability when they leave the campus.
Canvas LMS was created by Instructure, “an education technology company dedicated to elevating student success, amplifying the power of teaching, and inspiring everyone to learn together.”
Through the resources made available by Canvas LMS, students can take courses that teach technical, soft and industry-specific skills that will help make them more attractive to potential employers.
Canvas credentials are “concrete proof of the skills and knowledge gained through a course, which can make them (students) stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning”.
Instructure recently organized Canvas Connect to introduce potential subscribers to its services and update existing clients on new tools available to make learning much more rewarding and useful.
The event was attended by representatives of some of its partner schools and prospective clients.
The conference naturally addressed the elephant that is now in almost every room where people get together— artificial intelligence (AI).
Ryan Lufkin
Ryan Lufkin, Instructure vice president of global strategy, suggests that, instead of fearing this new technology, it should be seen as another tool to strengthen education. “Embrace AI and use it responsively and with positivity,” he says. After all, he adds, AI is here to stay.
The technology can help educators achieve greater efficacy and efficiency to help their students succeed.
Melissa Loble
Melissa Loble, Instructure chief customer experience officer, stresses that learners should always be at the center of innovations. New technologies do not only give students the opportunity to learn wherever they are but they also allow crowd-sharing of resources. The goal is to make autonomous learners.
At your own pace
For Instructure, giving students access to course materials at their own pace and on their own schedule will enable them to upskill or reskill despite other commitments, “making it easier to enhance their employability without disrupting their current responsibilities.”
“Many top-rated universities and further education institutions worldwide use Canvas LMS, which allows students to access courses and content with diverse perspectives and learn from experts across different regions, which can broaden a student’s worldview and enhance their ability to work in global contexts,” it points out.
Students and faculty members of top local universities are already Canvas LMS users. They include the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University and Our Lady of Fatima University.
The institutions are using Canvas LMS to expand online learning and support their teaching and learning community engagement.
Instructure has now over 7,000 customers in higher education, kindergarten-to-grade 12 systems and corporate markets in more than 100 countries and tens of millions of users worldwide.
It charges an annual subscription fee at a per-user basis. Teachers can use the Free for Teacher version to try out Canvas LMS.
An implementation team provides initial training webinars, system integration and course migration. Canvas experts share experience and tools to help and advise customers on any issues or concerns to ensure a better user experience.
Ruth Thornton, Instructure senior global product manager, says Canvas LMS not only enhances educational efficiency but also reduces administrative tasks, while elevating the personalized but equitable experiences of learners. It responds to individual needs, and adapts to different ways of learning and doing things.