There is a reason most schools and institutions over the world utilize Canvas LMS – it is effective. Canvas was built by Instructure to make teaching and learning easier. Canvas is a cloud-based, modern, and user-friendly learning management system that enables more effective communication between students and professors without being unduly difficult. Canvas is a mobile application that can be used from any Internet-connected device, which means that students may access their coursework regardless of their location. It assists teachers in engaging students through the use of video-based learning and collaborative tools created specifically for higher education. An overview of Canvas LMS will shed more light on its values.
Features of Canvas LMS
One of the most impressive aspects of Canvas is its staggering range of features that no other LMS can match. To assist in comprehending the functioning, the features are divided into three sections. These include the following:
1. Gather relevant knowledge
2. Organize learning paths
3. Create educational experiences
Gather and Organize Learning
Canvas is a fantastic learning management system. It is built around three key elements: a dashboard, a high-level overview of top courses, and a global navigation menu that gives you access to the LMS’s core features. A sidebar with time-sensitive updates is also available.
These are some features that come under gathering and organizing learning.
· Canvas Commons
A notable feature of the platform is Canvas Common. It’s a learning object repository where teachers can add quizzes, modules, and courses to their classes. They can use the repository to develop discussions and documents. This capability allows instructors to create courses more quickly.
· Modules Feature
This tool aids in the division of course content into units. Prerequisites for modules in order might be specified by educators. Students do not see a course or unit until their prerequisites are unlocked.
· Outcomes Feature
The Outcome function is intended to assist institutions in determining a student’s mastery level. The capability can be used to connect courses and student assessments to standards when combined with grading titles that educators define themselves.
Curate Learning Pathways
Take a peek at some of the features that are included with Curating learning paths.
· Quiz Feature
It is a function that enables educators to administer a quiz or assign an exam to any student at any time. Quizzes can be scored or ungraded, timed or self-paced, with lengthy descriptive responses or multiple choice questions with true or false answers, and so on.
· Gradebook
Gradebook is a feature that enables instructors and administrators to grade students based on their performance on assigned tasks. Grades can be entered and exported manually or automatically via Student Information System integration in a CSV file.
· SpeedGrader
SpeedGrader is a browser-based tool that allows educators to examine and annotate entries. Downloading files and papers is not required for educators. Canvas supports a wide range of file types, including Google Docs, Microsoft Office, and PDFs. Educators can also make in-line annotations in the files, such as highlights, text strikeouts, and freehand drawings.
Design Learning Experiences
Students and teachers can both customize their learning experiences using this tool. They can learn more about how to build course outlines for students, how to prepare quizzes, and how to attain long-term objectives.
Pros of Using Canvas LMS
• As a means of providing feedback and assigning points to assignments.
• Serving as the main center for kids, where they may get all of their school supplies (assignments, points, slides, feedback)
• Assignments are dated, and the agenda provides a daily/weekly/monthly overview of all course deadlines.
• It integrates with Zoom and may be used to schedule and store meetings.
Cons of Using Canvas LMS
• It has its own video platforms, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, but they aren’t ideal (for example, it doesn’t like to be used on Firefox). It has troubles with disconnection, and the mic and camera can be problematic at times.
• In the assignment overviews, looking at points only reveals the overall amount of points on the assignment, not the allocated amount; you must go to the assignment page to see these points.
• When an announcement is made, it takes a little too many clicks to get to. The number of announcements doesn’t always keep up with the times. Canvas will show me that I haven’t read an announcement until I go back to the page again. I could have already read the announcement.
Likelihood to Recommend?
This overview of Canvas LMS shows that it can be used in various fields. For school, it’s great for things like knowing what assignments need to be done when and how to get feedback, points, and slides from the teacher. I don’t think it would be good for business because it’s mostly used by schools to communicate one-way. Businesses need to be more in charge of their employees, I think.
