Canvas, a digital tool developed by the software maker Instructure, which manages course-specific learning, is set to replace CourseWork as Stanford’s main learning-organization system.

Stanford is on track to transition all University classes from CourseWork to Canvas by the start of the 2017 winter quarter.

Stanford News reported that the transition and adoption of the tool follows a successful pilot program tested over the 2014-15 academic year. The program was officially launched on Dec. 8, 2015, by Stanford’s vice provost for teaching and learning with an introductory and instructional event for faculty and staff.

The reasons for enforcing the use of Canvas instead of Coursework across campus are the software’s comparatively modern features and better functionality. Along with a sleek user interface, Canvas offers tools for classroom peer review, collaboration between teachers and students, assignment feedback and an easy and quick grading system called SpeedGrader.

Canvas also boasts convenience and efficiency for both students and faculty with mobile support and single sign-on. Integration with Stanford’s student information system, Axess, will automatically allow for every class to have its own Canvas course.

The Canvas system still has a few features that are being developed, like anonymous paper submissions for students and voice recording management for language teachers.  Additionally, a development team on campus in the office of the vice provost of teaching and learning, is set up to respond to different needs as they arise.

The move to use of Canvas for Stanford’s entire campus was spurred by the successful and independent adoptions of the program by both the Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Business.

 

Contact Susannah Meyer at smeyer7 ‘at’ stanford.edu.