What is Canvas?
The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) is an all-inclusive, digital teaching and learning tool. It provides a familiar space for teachers to create and deliver content and for students to access coursework and grades when in or outside of school hours.
Alfred Miller, CTE Teacher & Instructional Designer
Berkeley Adult School
Berkeley Adult School
Power of Canvas
in the Classroom
How does Canvas benefit adult learners?
- Accessibility: Canvas supports a range of assistive devices & enables UDL in an online environment.
- Flexibility: Web-based and can be connected with a mobile app anytime, anywhere with an internet connection and a supported web browser.
- Digital literacy: Students use technology within their coursework using a variety of applications thus improving their digital literacy.
- Alignment to higher education: TK-12 & Community Colleges throughout California use Canvas.
How does Canvas benefit instruction?
- Accessibility: Scalable delivery to learners on any device, in 33 languages, and in alignment with WCAG 2.0AA and US Section 508 standards.
- Flexibility: Canvas LMS connects with the most Application Programming Interfaces (API) and integrates with many other tools like Google and Microsoft.
- Learning made Personal: Canvas allows easy, interactive differentiation for every student.
- Community of Learners: Teachers and administrators can share content, assessments, and even entire courses through an exclusive CDLC Commons: repository built by participants.
Is it still possible for our agency to pilot Canvas?
Yes! By joining the CDLC Canvas Project, at no cost, your agency will be provided with a Canvas instance/environment and 50 licenses. Licenses will include the Studio and Training portal, self-paced implementation, and 24/7 technology support.
What is the CDLC and what are the costs to join it?
What is the CA Distance Learning Cooperative? (CDLC)
Initial and Recurring Costs to join the CDLC
The CDLC in partnership with OTAN provides low cost access to the Canvas LMS and instructional and
administrative cost-free professional development. Any California Adult Education agency may participate
in the CDLC. View additional information about the
benefits of the CDLC and Canvas.
- OTAN will absorb the one-time cost of the Canvas environment. This establishes a unique URL for each agency.
- OTAN will provide the first 50 licenses at no cost.
- Additional licenses over the first 50, agencies will be invoiced at a rate of $5.50/license + a 14% Canvas management fee = $6.27/license
- Additional licenses will be the only cost moving forward.
Onboarding Process & Online SupportÂ
There are two phases to implementing Canvas within an agency. The first phase is onboarding where
an agency constructs their Canvas Instance (environment). The second phase is instructional and intended
for people using Canvas to either upload courses from Canvas Commons, a curricular adoption or create their
own courses. Each phase is supported by OTAN in partnership with Instructure.
For more information about the onboarding process, click this link.
CDLC members receive 24/7 online support as well as cost-free access to a Training Portal which offers
instruction on a wide variety of topics to further support each administrator/Canvas lead. Additionally,
OTAN offers smaller reviews and refresher courses, online with a Canvas practitioner, as well as
Q&A sessions monthly. To view OTAN’s calendar:
https://otan.us/ProfessionalDevelopment/UpcomingSessions.