What are the main benefits of Canvas?
Canvas has played a crucial role in the digitalization of education at VU Amsterdam in recent years. According to Arjen Heijstek, Process Facilitator for Teaching and Learning Support, the biggest benefits of Canvas for teachers and students are its user-friendliness and accessibility. “User-friendliness was central in the selection of Canvas in 2016, contributing to its adoption by a broad group of teachers. Canvas stands out for its ability to engage even the less technologically enthusiastic teachers in using digital technology in education. An example of this is online feedback on student submissions, where Canvas led the way compared to its competitors in 2017.”
Teacher challenges and support
During the pandemic, Canvas played a crucial role in supporting teachers in transitioning to more online education. “However, we must remember that technology remains merely a tool to support the learning process. It remains essential to focus on effectively using technology to achieve learning goals and engage students.”
“One challenge we encountered in transitioning to online education is the setup of Canvas. In higher education culture, teachers rightfully have a lot of freedom within the framework of their courses. This freedom allows teachers to set up the Canvas Course according to their own course design. This means that teachers sometimes make different choices for similar types of courses. Students sometimes complain, rightfully, that it is difficult to navigate. The VU Education Lab provides instructional material, support, and workshops to encourage teachers to set up Canvas consistently and in a student-friendly manner.”