Marian University Completes LMS Implementation
Marian University in Indianapolis has completed its implementation of a new learning management system (LMS) to serve students, faculty, and staff.
Last year, the university began its search for an LMS that would meet the needs of students and faculty. The university investigated numerous options and narrowed them down to a shortlist of vendors. Following presentations from those vendors, and after speaking with several other universities about their experiences, Marian University selected Canvas by Instructure, primarily because of its intuitive user interface.
"Our faculty members are experts in their areas of study, and we believe faculty shouldn't need to become technology experts in order to interact with digital curriculum," said Pete Williams , assistant vice president and CIO at Marian University, in a prepared statement. "Canvas is very easy to use, and that was a very important factor in our selection process."
Canvas by Instructure is an open-source, cloud-based, hosted LMS. According to the company, if offers standard LMS functionality, such as assignments, quizzes, discussion groups, grading, and course content tools, as well as integrated learning outcomes and mobile apps for iPhone and iPad.
According to Robert Kitchens, program director for Indianapolis Teaching Fellows at Marian University, the university is now using Canvas as an information hub containing documents and program information for students, faculty, and staff. The university has also integrated its courses into the LMS, so students can use it to submit their assignments, and faculty can grade the assignments electronically.
As part of Marian University's contract with Canvas by Instructure, Catholic K-12 schools in Indiana can use Canvas at a discounted rate.
Marian University is a Catholic liberal arts university in Indianapolis that offers degrees from the associate through doctoral levels. It serves more than 2,500 students and employs more than 200 instructors.
Further information about Canvas by Instructure is available at instructure.com.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].