{"id":16188,"date":"2020-10-14T19:00:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-14T23:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.elearninginside.com\/?p=16188"},"modified":"2020-10-15T11:26:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T15:26:57","slug":"instructure-announces-enhanced-microsoft-service-integrations-at-canvascon-2020-and-pledges-a-renewed-commitment-to-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.elearninginside.com\/instructure-announces-enhanced-microsoft-service-integrations-at-canvascon-2020-and-pledges-a-renewed-commitment-to-users\/","title":{"rendered":"Instructure Announces Enhanced Microsoft Service Integrations at CanvasCon 2020 and Pledges a Renewed Commitment to Users"},"content":{"rendered":"

At CanvasCon 2020, Instructure is showcasing deeper integrations with Microsoft services, enhanced platform features, and a new Canvas Certified Teacher program. Beyond the product updates that one would expect at a tech conference, the North American leader in the learning management system (LMS) market is also hoping to sweep up some of the dust that has only begun to settle<\/a> after a chaotic year.<\/p>\n

The event goes live on October 15 for Canvas stakeholders around the world, with events conforming to Sydney, London, and Salt Lake City time zones. Keynote speakers include LeVar Burton and Sal Khan.<\/p>\n

Canvas Experienced a Massive Surge of Traffic in April, and an Even Bigger One in August<\/h2>\n

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the U.S. last spring, Instructure managed to accommodate a peak of 2.2 million concurrent users on their platform. But when many K-12 and college classes came back to school this fall<\/a>, the platform had to deal with activity from over 6 million simultaneous learners. In late August and early September, Canvas users across districts and states reported outages and slow services.<\/p>\n

As Canvas Senior Director of Product Ryan Lufkin explained over Zoom, the surge occurred mostly in the K-12 space.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith higher ed, you had adoption rates of 40% to 60% and up to 80%,\u201d Lufkin said, referring to usage before the pandemic broke out. \u201cGoing fully online pushed that up to 98%, which was definitely a big spike. But a lot of K-12 institutions weren\u2019t using an LMS at all. Even if they were using Canvas, they had low adoption rates. Then everyone got close to 100% adoption over the course of a few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/magahava\/status\/1297891477117427714<\/p>\n

The company is confidant that things are now running smoothly and will continue to do so. Canvas counts roughly 30 million global users, but the company declined to say how much growth they have experienced this summer. In the U.S., fourteen statewide education systems now use the LMS.<\/p>\n

Microsoft and Instructure Have Built an Enhanced LTI to Provide Numerous Integrations<\/h2>\n

Instructure announced an integration with Microsoft\u2019s Teams videoconferencing service in March. At CanvasCon, the company is unveiling an enhanced Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) application that will further the integration. Teams will soon be a default feature in Canvas. Users will be able to schedule, edit, and join meetings from the platform. They will also be able to record with unlimited storage.<\/p>\n

The two companies are working to expand this integration to allow for features such as quizzing and assignments to run simultaneously during videoconferences.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a wholly unique and much more in-depth LTI that’s been developed by both Microsoft and Canvas together,\u201d Lufkin said. \u201cIt allows much deeper integration and seamless inclusion of all of Microsoft tools directly within courses themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
A view of the updated Microsoft Teams in Canvas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the coming months, Instructure expects to release further Microsoft integrations, including functions linking the platform with OneDrive, Immersive Reader, and the 365 software suite.<\/p>\n

The Canvas Certified Educator Program<\/h2>\n

In addition to the Microsoft LTI, Instructure unveiled a new teacher professional development program on October 14. Canvas Certified Educator comprises four core courses and electives intended to help teachers make the most out of the LMS. Core courses include Foundational Frameworks, Engagement Strategies, Personalized Learning, and Transformational Practices. Two tracks are available\u2014one for higher education and one for K-12.<\/p>\n

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Wanting to take your Canvas skills to the next level?<\/p>\n

BIG NEWS: today we are pleased to announce the Canvas Certified Educator Program.<\/p>\n

For more information on becoming a Canvas Know It All, visit the website: https:\/\/t.co\/GlkaqxWT3r<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gxVvEQVaHj<\/a><\/p>\n

— Canvas by Instructure (@Canvas_by_Inst) October 14, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n