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What Is CANVAS?

Canvas by Instructure is a learning management system for every stage and style of education. As the hub of your digital learning environment, Canvas offers complete LMS functionality including standards-based grade books, course content authoring, customizable assessments, mobile communication, video learning and digital badging, (just to name a few). Take teaching and learning to the next level with Canvas, the #1 educational software, and the foundation of the Instructure Learning Platform.

Who Uses CANVAS?

Available to institutions of all sizes and types, from individual K-12 classrooms to universities to companies with a blended or fully virtual environment.

CANVAS Software - 1
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Reviews of CANVAS

Average score

Overall
4.5
Ease of Use
4.4
Customer Service
4.3
Features
4.4
Value for Money
4.5

Reviews by company size (employees)

  • <50
  • 51-200
  • 201-1,000
  • >1,001
Kelly
Kelly
Freelance Digital Design Expert in Mexico
Verified LinkedIn User
Information Technology & Services, Self Employed
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

CANVAS makes higher education accessible anywhere you have an internet connection!

5.0 3 years ago

Comments: CANVAS is very user-friendly and an all-around excellent way to engage in continuing education and life-long learning. Personally, as an older student, I love using CANVAS.

Pros:

While I am unsure of the College's side in using this software, for me, as a student, I love using CANVAS. I enjoy travelling and with an easy-to-use, school-issued/provided LMS (Learning Management System/Software), I can take many classes online from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. The mobile application is robust and incredibly convenient, allowing 99% all-the-same functionality as the desktop version. Students can even take online quizzes and finals using their internet-connected mobile device (Smartphone). It is very user-friendly and an all-around excellent way to engage in continuing education and life-long learning as an older (personally, 42 years) college student.

Cons:

The only drawbacks to CANVAS I experienced were a loss of data if the active internet connection broke while in the middle of completing/submitting assignments and quizzes. I know that CANVAS has since implemented an auto-save feature on the quizzes, so that part of the problem is resolved. Whether or not this is true of the assignment submissions, I honestly do not know at this time.

Kyle
Kyle
Student in US
Verified LinkedIn User
Motion Pictures & Film, Self Employed
Used the Software for: 1-5 months
Reviewer Source

College on the Web

4.0 3 years ago

Comments: Canvas is an excellent learning tool for most colleges and universities. Not only does it allow for assignments to be turned in over the internet but it also allows students to take quizzes and attend lectures through ConferNow and Zoom. It will notify you through email for any work that is assigned, work that is due, etc. Although it can be a bit complicated to operate through compared to other programs such as Google Classroom, it has all the features you would need in order to run a class online especially during a pandemic.

Pros:

With the rise of Coronavirus and online options for college classes, Canvas has been a staple tool for students taking online classes and even with online assignments. Canvas, similar to Google Classroom, is a program that allows teachers to assign work through the web instead of wasting time printing and wasting paper. It allows students to be notified of when assignments are due and even allows them to take quizzes and test online. With most of the world being forced to do everything digitally Canvas allows access to Zoom through ConferNow which allows for teachers to schedule lectures and meetings. Canvas also allows you to message other students if needed. Without Canvas, school online would be incredibly difficult, and although Google Classroom is a solid option for courses in elementary school through high school, Canvas has more features such as users being able to directly embed LTIs such as Flipgrid.

Cons:

Although Canvas is better than Google Classroom in terms of the number of features, Google Classroom's interface is simpler and easier to understand than Canvas's. Google Classroom, being a Google program, also makes it slightly easier to turn in assignments using Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. Canvas's user system can also use some work as well. Canvas may have the ability to allow you to see other students but it's obscure. There's no way to search for other people unless they're in your class and most people don't even know of the profile feature. Personally, I don't believe there are many problems with Canvas except that they should redo its design because to me it seems a bit bland and that they should make its interface a bit more simpler since it can be confusing to navigate through.

Gauravi
Learning Designer in India
Education Management, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Canvas is a teacher during asynchronous times of teaching & learning

5.0 2 months ago New

Comments: It includes a powerful system for creating and grading assignments. Setting deadlines, including rubrics, and providing thorough instructions. The SpeedGrader tool streamlines the grading process by allowing professors to quickly annotate entries and provide feedback. Canvas also supports a range of evaluation modes, including quizzes, surveys, and peer reviews. I feel more in control during briefing session with students, I depend a lot on Canvas during teaching. Helps a lot in brining parity in big education teams.

Pros:

I can easily organise course content, upload files, embed multimedia, and create modules for structured learning. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it convenient to rearrange elements within the course, ensuring a seamless learning journey for students. The best thing I find in this is that Canvas provides various communication tools, including announcements, discussions, and messaging. These features facilitate interaction between me and my students, fostering engagement and participation. Even during asynchronous times, my students are still connected to their classrooms.

Cons:

Interface could be more seamless for a beginner. But now that I have used it so many times, it is not longer any problem.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Information Technology & Services, 2–10 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

My Amazing Story with Canvas

3.0 3 weeks ago New

Comments: i am a graphics designer and i use it to earn a living

Pros:

Available Templates to use makes canvas good, not all applications have this, and the templates are very affordable making everything just perfect and good

Cons:

i feel that if canvas is able to provide better templates it will make the application to stand out the more

Jasmine
Associate in US
Consumer Services, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

we love canvas

5.0 3 months ago

Comments: My over all experience with canvas we are currently using still so far its been great no hiccups I love it.

Pros:

I believe that canvas is great my child are online for now an we use canvas am I say we because not only am I involved in their work grades as well. I think the study guides are great to have . It's easy to use an understand I love it.

Cons:

I feel like there at the end of every level of completion of assignment they can get a certificate at the end. The little things that can make anyone happy.