Learning management software company Instructure has taken the covers off an Apple iWork update for its Canvas learning management system (LMS).
Liz Crawford, vice president of partnerships at Instructure, said the update would simplify the experience of educators and students of Canvas LMS on Apple devices such as Macs, iPads, iPhones and the like.
“This enhancement enables educators and students to upload and interact with files from Apple’s iWork apps – Keynote, Pages, and Numbers – directly in Canvas, simplifying the assignment submission process for students and streamlining grading for educators,” Crawford wrote in a blog post.
“For Apple customers, improving support of Apple file formats in Canvas is a game changer.”
Canvas’s Docviewer, for example, would become compatible with Apple’s file formats, which should help educators use Canvas’ SpeedGrader to review, annotate and deliver feedback in real-time to learners.
SpeedGrader enables viewing and grading of submissions for assignments, discussions, and quizzes, with scores added directly to the Canvas LMS Gradebook, Crawford explained.
Workflows would also be simplified via Keynote, Pages and Numbers on iPad and Mac platforms.
“With this update, students can now submit their creations directly in Canvas LMS,” she said.
“For instructors, the benefits of this update are equally valuable. Grading assignments becomes a more seamless process because educators can assess student work directly within Canvas LMS.”
The idea is that this will allow educators to spend more time teaching, and less administering lessons, grading processes or managing online learning.
In addition, Apple’s Develop in Swift curriculum is available via free download from Canvas Commons. Swift is a programming language for Apple platforms.
“Instructure has three highly-rated iOS apps in the App Store, including Canvas Teacher, Canvas Student and Canvas Parent,” Crawford added.
Overall, Instructure has been focusing on product innovation in four main areas: core teaching and learning, analytics, platform integration, and “lifelong learning”, incorporating AI enablement where it makes sense.
The iWork update was available from 30 August to US customers. The company had not at the time of writing signalled a global roll-out.
( Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash )
