Discussion: Why an LMS and which one?

Technology is a part of our everyday lives. It is used extensively in our homes and in the workplace. As a result, technology is increasingly becoming more and more a part of our educational experience. For this reason, many K-12 schools have already begun to implement technology as a way of making teaching and learning easier and preparing students for college and career readiness.

However, as technology makes its way into our educational system, many schools have noticed and expressed that having a 1:1 initiative Links to an external site. without a Learning Management System Links to an external site. (LMS) is like having a car without a roadmap or a kite without a string. Sure, teachers can still teach and students can still learn, but how effective is that teaching and learning? Are teachers and students part of an effective and carefully organized teaching and learning plan and process? Or are teachers and students simply going here, there, and everywhere without any real direction? This is one major reason why an LMS is so critical for schools.

So are there differences between Canvas and other learning management systems then?  If so, what are they?

Yes, there are differences between Canvas Links to an external site. and other learning management systems, just as there are differences between one school and another. There are differences between all things. No two schools are alike just because they both teach the same subjects. 

There are differences between schools, classrooms, teachers, and students, etc and those differences are important and significant. While there are many amazing features Links to an external site. and functionality that set Canvas apart as the best LMS, time and time again users attest that the greatest difference between Canvas and any other LMS is the service & experience!

Schools are no longer buying products and services – they are buying experiences delivered via the products and services. The Canvas user experience is the way to win over teachers and students, retain good teachers, and build a school and effective teaching and learning process that flourishes well into the future.

Remember, not all teaching and learning is equal. Rather most differences are between what is good, better, and best. The same applies to LMSs, schools, classrooms, teachers and students, etc. Discerning what is good, better, and best requires careful investigation and consideration on the evaluators part.

Do you remember Sam-I-am? Sam-I-am green eggs & ham?! 
Well if you do, you may recall, the lesson taught to one and all. 
Test things, try things...look and see. It may surprise you the good it brings!

Try Canvas and you will see.
You will like this easy tool! And you will like it in your school...
And you will like it in your house. And in the park. And with a mouse. 
And in a car. And in a tree. Canvas is so good so good you'll see!

Ask yourself, "what makes one school or school district different (better) from another?" and list those things out in this discussion.

As you make your list, you will likely begin to see that the same things that make the best school district are the same things that make Canvas the best learning management system.

As you consider the various LMS choices, remember, it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice may cost slightly more than other alternatives, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

 is a learning management system that simplifies teaching and learning by connecting all the digital tools teachers use in one simple place. Canvas is EASY, OPEN, ADAPTABLE, and SECURE and has a track record of success from kindergarten through high school, and even into college. That’s because it’s at the center of the classroom - streamlining instructional delivery, communication, student tracking, and reporting. Canvas is designed to get out of your way to let you do your thing. Every last feature, every last interface is crafted to save you time and effort and to make teaching and learning easier.

Canvas is a native-to-the-cloud, fully-hosted, all-inclusive, browser-enabled LMS and extensible education technology platform. Hosted on the state-of-the-technology Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure and with Instructure’s guarantee of 99.9% system availability, Canvas provides anytime, anywhere 24/7/365 access with mobile support and free mobile apps included in the annual Canvas subscription fee at no additional cost.

Additional Resources:

Canvas Research & Case Studies Links to an external site.

How to Choose an LMS in K12 Download How to Choose an LMS in K12

Selecting an LMS: Questions to Consider Download Selecting an LMS: Questions to Consider

Resources for Procuring the Right LMS Download Resources for Procuring the Right LMS