Review of Online Learning Platform Instructure Canvas

Student with laptop at home
Tetra Images/GettyImages-119707581

Canvas Instructure is an online learning platform that allows students to integrate their accounts with social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. It is one of the top online learning platforms available. Best of all, students and instructors acting individually (not subscribing as an entire school) can use the program for free.

Canvas offers some unique Web 2.0 features. Canvas Instructure's best attribute is its ability to convey information intuitively. Canvas Instructure makes it easy for students and instructors to navigate the well-designed site. The platform isn't without its faults, but overall, Canvas Instructure simply feels better to use than most other online learning platforms.

Using Canvas Instructure as an Instructor

Canvas Instructure solves a lot of problems for instructors. For example, it allows assignments to be quickly created from several places on the website. Information about each assignment is automatically parsed into the course calendar, syllabus, or grade book without any additional action from the instructor. Grading is simple and weighted grades can be created with ease. A "speed grader" allows instructors to grade more quickly and without the dreaded load time that many other learning platforms require.

Using Canvas Instructure as a Student

Students can keep track of their progress in the class, complete assignments, and participate in discussions with ease. The grade book allows students to see both their grades for individual assignments and their overall grade. Students can even enter alternative scores for assignments to project how their overall grade would be impacted by a higher or lower score. They can choose to connect their accounts to multiple email addresses, text-receiving phone numbers, and social media pages.

Drawbacks fo Canvas Instructure

Canvas Instructure does have a few drawbacks. The platform was known to be a bit buggy and edits sometimes changed back to older versions of a document. Occasionally, the system does something unexpected and leaves instructors worrying about how to fix the problem. Most instructors rely on the dependability of their online learning platform and little issues can end up making a big difference. It would also be helpful if modules could be viewed on stand-alone pages and could be included in the design-your-own front page.

Pros and Cons

It may be helpful to view a quick guide to the pros and cons of Canvas Instructure Web 2.0, as well as the program's overall features:

Basic Information

  • It's an online learning management system.
  • It offers Web 2.0 integration.
  • It is free to use for individuals.

Pros

  • It has an intuitive, easy-to-use format
  • The design is clean and simple.
  • It makes grading and viewing grades easy.
  • It offers easy social media integration.

Cons

  • The site can be a bit buggy
  • There is no simple way to add one-sentence reading assignments to a calendar.
  • It is not easy to find online information on how to use the platform.

Overall, Canvas Instructure's Web 2.0 platform allows for real-time collaboration through a variety of social media platforms such as blogs, Google apps (such as Google Docs), and even via smartphones.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Littlefield, Jamie. "Review of Online Learning Platform Instructure Canvas." ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/canvas-instructure-review-1098196. Littlefield, Jamie. (2020, August 25). Review of Online Learning Platform Instructure Canvas. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/canvas-instructure-review-1098196 Littlefield, Jamie. "Review of Online Learning Platform Instructure Canvas." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/canvas-instructure-review-1098196 (accessed March 29, 2024).