Canvas is Coming!

Carroll ISD has selected Canvas Learning Management System as the district LMS for grades 5-12. Over the course of this school year, teachers and students from each campus have worked to pilot the system and share best practices for using Canvas in the classroom.

What is a Learning Management System (LMS)?
A learning management system is a software application or web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific learning process. Typically, a learning management system provides an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance.

What do I get with Canvas?

• Student-centered learning with anytime, anywhere access to learning materials
• Differentiate learning with multiple learning paths
• Digital workflow solution; efficient and streamlined way to manage student learning
• Facilitate blended learning with an online platform

How can I use Canvas in my classroom?

• Communication Tool: 
• Teachers can use the announcement and real-time calendar feature for students and parents. 
• Paperless classroom: 
• Teachers can upload files to Canvas for anytime, anywhere access and create digital assignments and quizzes.
• Empower Student Collaboration:
• One of my favorite features of Canvas is the ability for student collaboration. With Canvas, a teacher can create student groups, participate in class discussions, and have student offer peer reviews on assignments.
• Gather Formative Assessment and Feedback: 
• Canvas has a grading feature for assignments, discussions and quizzes through Speed Grader. The most powerful tool is the video feedback feature for teachers and students. 
• Integrate Web Tools that You Already Use:
• What web tools do you currently use as a teacher? Google Docs? Google Slides? Nearpod? ThingLink? Padlet? EDpuzzle? Smore? Tackk? 
• If the web tool has a share link or an embed code, you can add that link or embed that page to your Canvas course. 

(click for video)

Resources:

What is learning management system (LMS)? - Definition from WhatIs.com. (2016). SearchCIO. Retrieved 13 April 2016, from http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/learning-management-system

Canvas in the Classroom

The Instructional Technology Team has been working with teachers throughout the district this school year to pilot Canvas, a learning management system. Teachers from each campus (grades 3-12) are participating in the pilot and exploring best practices for creating a blended learning environment.

What is Blended Learning?
According to Tucker (2013), "blended learning combines classroom learning with online learning, in which students can, in part, control the time, pace, and place of their learning."

What is a Learning Management System (LMS)?
A Learning Management System supports blended learning and is “a way to simplify teaching and learning by connecting all the digital tools teachers use in one easy place.” (Instructure)

Why would I want to use Canvas with my students?

• Anytime, anywhere access: 24/7 access to class resources, assignments, etc. 
• Workflow: Work can be submitted to Canvas from any device. 
• Differentiation: Vary due dates, assignment content and more for all learners. Learners can move at their own pace through material and even revisit content if needed. 
• Collaboration: Students can share their learning through discussions and work collaboratively on projects.
• Digital Citizenship: Canvas is a safe and secure platform for students to practice positive digital citizenship.

(click here to view video)

When can I start using Canvas?
Canvas is being phased in (grades 3-12) over two years. During Year 1 (2015-2016), approximately 100 teachers are participating in the pilot phase. These teachers attended summer training and will be challenged throughout the year to explore the robust features of Canvas with the support of the Instructional Technology Team. Based on the feedback from the pilot group, we will develop an implementation plan for remaining teachers (grades 3-12) to move to Canvas during Year 2 (2016-2017).


Resources:

• Instructure. (2015). Canvas K-12. http://www.canvaslms.com/k-12/
• ELearning Infographics. (2015). Top 5 LMS Benefits for Students. http://elearninginfographics.com/top-5-lms-benefits-students-infographic/ 
• Tucker, Caitlin R. (2013). The Basics of Blended Instruction. Educational Leadership. 70(6). Retrieved from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar13/vol70/num06/The-Basics-of-Blended-Instruction.aspx