Canvas: Overview

Canvas is Virginia Western Community College's Learning Management System (LMS). We completed our transition during Summer 2019. This website provides best practices for using the many features of Canvas as well as links to more detailed "how to" documentation and support resources.

The new Canvas platform includes familiar academic tools such announcements, grading, lectures, discussion boards, quizzes, assessments, rubrics, video and learning object repositories, but adds state-of-the-art student tracking, analytics, and more. Canvas is accessible from all browsers and mobile devices. Its intuitive interface is easy to use for students and faculty, providing an environment and tools that encourage peer-to-peer sharing and use of learning materials across courses, departments, and colleges. Integration with other software tools will be easier thanks to the industry standard LTI interface.

In addition to the LMS, VCCS has purchased Instructure’s video repository, Studio, which is a next-generation online video learning platform that moves from passive video viewing to interactive cohort learning allowing faculty and students to collaborate through video and audio media.