{"id":8,"date":"2025-07-10T15:47:44","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T20:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2026-04-05T09:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:34:09","slug":"why","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/why\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Switch to Canvas?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Below are some advantages of the Canvas LMS. For more information, please visit the answers to frequently asked questions<\/a> about this LMS transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Modern, User-Friendly Interface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Canvas offers an intuitive, streamlined interface that simplifies navigation for faculty and students. Its clean, intuitive design makes it easier to manage courses, assignments, and grades.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • The platform\u2019s dashboard provides quick access to course materials, announcements, and notifications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Mobile Accessibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    • Canvas provides robust mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing students and faculty to access courses, submit assignments, and engage in discussions on the go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Canvas’s mobile-friendly design supports MTSU\u2019s goal of fostering a flexible, accessible learning environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Robust Integrations with Third-Party Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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      • Canvas supports seamless integration with tools commonly used at MTSU, such as iClicker, Panopto, and Turnitin. These integrations enhance teaching and learning by connecting with existing university workflows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Canvas\u2019s open API and learning tools interoperability (LTI) standards make it easier for MTSU to incorporate new tools as technology evolves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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        Enhanced Analytics and Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        • Canvas provides advanced analytics features, such as course-level insights and student performance tracking, which help faculty monitor engagement and identify at-risk students in real time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • These capabilities support MTSU\u2019s commitment to provide high-quality, data-driven student support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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          Streamlined Course Migration and Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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          • With tools like K16 Solutions, Canvas facilitates efficient migration of course content from D2L Brightspace, minimizing disruption for faculty. This ensures a smoother transition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Canvas\u2019s training resources provide comprehensive support for faculty and students during the transition and beyond.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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            Scalability and Future-Proofing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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            • Canvas is a cloud-based platform, offering greater scalability and reliability, rather than relying on older infrastructure. This aligns with MTSU\u2019s goal to future-proof its digital learning environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Regular updates from Instructure ensure Canvas remains current with emerging educational technologies and pedagogical needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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              Improved Student Engagement Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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              • Canvas includes tools like discussion boards, quizzes, and collaborative workspaces that are more engaging and easier to use. Features like SpeedGrader streamline grading, saving faculty time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • The platform supports interactive elements such as embedded H5P content to enhance student engagement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                Active User Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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                • Canvas has a large, active base of supporters and contributors via the Instructure Community<\/a>, providing access to shared resources, best practices, and peer support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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                  Assessment of LMS Vendors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  In the Spring of 2025, the LMS Work Group<\/a> (19 members) convened by Academic Affairs conducted an extensive review of D2L Brightspace and Instructure Canvas. A summary from the work group is below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Each assessment item was rated from 1 (low) to 7 (high).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Assessment<\/th>Brightspace D2L<\/th>Instructure Canvas<\/th>Difference<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                  How do you rate the vendor’s overall quality of presentation?<\/td>4.0<\/td>6.79<\/td>2.79<\/td><\/tr>
                  Level of customizability (user permissions, course options, other features)?<\/td>5.11<\/td>6.05<\/td>0.94<\/td><\/tr>
                  Breadth of features (to support course development, grading, student learning, etc.)?<\/td>5.00<\/td>6.37<\/td>1.37<\/td><\/tr>
                  Ease of navigation (for faculty and students)?<\/td>4.63<\/td>6.37<\/td>1.74<\/td><\/tr>
                  Mobile application?<\/td>3.16<\/td>6.42<\/td>3.26<\/td><\/tr>
                  Past and\/or likely future support for faculty?<\/td>4.26<\/td>6.32<\/td>2.06<\/td><\/tr>
                  Research and development of new and innovative tools (e.g., AI, accessibility, instructional design\/technology, etc.)?<\/td>4.16<\/td>6.42<\/td>2.26<\/td><\/tr>
                  Which product is the best long-term LMS solution for MTSU students and faculty?<\/td>3.53<\/td>6.16<\/td>2.63<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Below are some advantages of the Canvas LMS. For more information, please visit the answers to frequently asked questions about this LMS transition. Modern, User-Friendly Interface Mobile Accessibility Robust Integrations with Third-Party Tools Enhanced Analytics and Reporting Streamlined Course Migration and Support Scalability and Future-Proofing Improved Student Engagement Features Active User Community Assessment of LMS […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1256,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions\/1256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/canvas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}