Key Features and Benefits of Canvas LMS
1. User-Friendly Interface: Canvas offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface that enhances the user experience for both instructors and students.
2. Course Management: Instructors can organize course content, assignments, quizzes, and discussions efficiently. Canvas supports multimedia content and allows instructors to design engaging learning experiences.
3. Collaboration and Communication: Canvas facilitates communication through announcements, messaging, and discussion boards. It also supports synchronous and asynchronous communication among students and instructors.
4. Assessment and Feedback: Instructors can create various types of assessments, including quizzes, exams, and assignments. Canvas provides detailed grading tools and supports rubrics for consistent assessment.
5. Integration and Customization: Canvas integrates with numerous third-party tools and services, enhancing its functionality and customization options.
6. Mobile Accessibility: Canvas has a mobile app that allows students and instructors to access course materials, submit assignments, and participate in discussions from mobile devices.
7. Analytics and Reporting: Canvas provides analytics tools that allow instructors to track student progress and engagement. This data helps instructors make informed decisions to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
8. Accessibility and Usability: Canvas is designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, can access course materials and participate effectively.
Canvas at Palm Beach State College (PBSC)
PBSC Online is the official operator of the Canvas LMS platform. Canvas is the approved Learning Management System for Palm Beach State College (PBSC). All faculty members are required to operate and execute their courses within Canvas. This decision is based on Canvas's robust features, user-friendly interface, and ability to support PBSC's commitment to high-quality online and blended learning experiences.
Canvas LMS plays a crucial role in supporting PBSC's mission to provide quality education through online and blended learning. As the approved LMS for PBSC, Canvas ensures that faculty can deliver courses effectively and that students have access to a robust and supportive online learning environment. By leveraging Canvas, PBSC continues to innovate and enhance its educational offerings, preparing students for success in their academic and professional careers.
Third-Party Integrations, Including AI-Related Integrations:
PBSC Online's Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) supports a variety of third-party integrations, including those involving Artificial Intelligence (AI). These integrations are managed and are generally approved by PBSC Online's Online Technology unit to ensure compliance, security, and compatibility with the educational goals and standards of Palm Beach State College.
Management of Third-Party Integrations:
PBSC Online's Online Technology unit oversees all third-party integrations within Canvas. This includes integrations that enhance the functionality of the LMS and support innovative teaching and learning practices. The process for managing third-party integrations is as follows:
Approval Process:
- Initial Review: All requests for third-party integrations are initially reviewed by the Online Technology unit. This review ensures that the integration aligns with PBSC's educational objectives and technology standards.
- Associate Dean Review: Requests that pass the initial review are then forwarded to the Associate Dean of Online and International Education for further assessment (if needed). The Associate Dean evaluates the integration's impact on curriculum, pedagogy, and student experience.
- CIO Review: If necessary, requests may be escalated to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) or their designee for final approval and clearance. This step ensures that all integrations meet PBSC's technology compliance and security standards.
PBSC Online's management of third-party integrations, including AI-related integrations, ensures that Canvas remains a dynamic and effective learning environment. By following a rigorous approval process and prioritizing compliance and security, PBSC Online provides faculty and students with access to tools that enhance educational outcomes while maintaining the integrity and security of the learning environment.
Canvas Parameters
Canvas is a Learning [course] Management System that is used for the delivery of all course delivery modalities. Every course in Canvas must maintain a standard course design. Canvas can also be used for Organization Sites, Departmental Discussion Boards, and/or Webinar Meetings by departments, faculty clusters, committees, and sponsored clubs. In the sidebar to the right of the Canvas Dashboard, click Start a New Course to create a course and/or an organization site in the Palm Beach State Canvas system. If the Start a New Course button is not available in your Dashboard, send a request to Online Technology (OnlineTechnology@palmbeachstate.edu).
PBSC Online Courses in Four Delivery Modes
Face to Face (Classroom) Courses
Face-to-face courses are traditional, on-campus courses that use an online component to augment or enhance the classroom learning experience. These courses require regular on-campus meetings. PBSC continues to follow COVID-19 guidelines from local and state health departments. Your safety remains a top priority. This class contains an online (LMS) component that supplements the in-class meetings. You must have access to an Internet connected computer.
Hybrid Courses
50% On Campus | 50% Online
Hybrid courses are a good choice for you if you enjoy both online and on-campus learning. They blend traditional face-to-face instruction with web-based learning, allowing you to take advantage of the best features of both forms of instruction. Attendance is split 50-50 between the classroom and online. This class is a combination of in-class meetings and online instructional content. Your class will meet during designated times as listed on your class schedule. You must have access to an Internet connected computer.
Live Online Courses
Live Online courses require no physical classroom meetings. Courses are held on set days/times for online lectures and interactions. Instruction/information will be transmitted through electronic delivery methods (i.e., Zoom lectures & meetings, Microsoft Teams remote labs, video conferencing, chats, collaborations, or social learning technologies) This class is a real-time virtual course. Your class will meet online during designated times as listed on your class schedule. You must have access to an Internet-connected computer with a camera.
Online courses
Online courses allow you to complete degree requirements while juggling work and/or family responsibilities. These interactive courses feature structured online learning activities. Most online courses require no time on campus, but some require on-campus meetings for orientation, proctored tests, or group work. Classes do not require real-time interaction and course content is available online to access when it best suits your schedule. You must have access to an Internet-connected computer with a camera.
Ref: https://www.palmbeachstate.edu/registration/options.aspx