Montana University System Selects Canvas LMS to Modernize Learning Experience Across the State

  • By Kate Lucariello
  • 02/05/24

The Montana University System (MUS), which comprises 11 public colleges and universities across the state, has selected Instructure's Canvas as its single-vendor LMS across all its institutions. MUS also selected Instructure's Impact data analytics tool to help faculty and administrators gauge the usage and efficacy of ed tech resources available to them.

The move to Canvas will "help lower ongoing licensing costs; provide smaller institutions access to new tools, including 24/7 support, and will provide students with an improved and more consistent experience," MUS said.

MUS said it conducted an extensive review of available systems, and chose the Canvas LMS for its intuitive design, ease of use, mobility, faculty accessibility, effortless sharing with Canvas Commons, and flexibility with other tools.

Canvas implementation will be available to all MUS students statewide by fall 2025, the university said. Visit the Canvas LMS page to learn more about how it works.

"We chose Instructure to provide our higher education institutions in Montana the tools to work together more effectively," said Joseph Thiel, interim deputy commissioner of academic, research and student affairs. "Our vision is to provide Montana students a seamless learning experience of the highest quality, no matter where they reside or which of our institutions they attend."

Instructure's Impact tool will provide real-time insights about the system's ed tech usage, to help faculty and administrators choose the best approaches for student needs and success. More information about Impact is available here.

"Increasing accessibility to education is a pressing need in the United States and throughout the world, and MUS is an excellent example of a coordinated statewide effort to reach students traditionally left behind," said Melissa Loble, Instructure's chief academic officer. "By implementing these solutions at scale, the state is making the transition to higher education smoother for students and providing opportunities for learning, regardless of geographic limitations. The potential impact of providing consistent access to high-quality education is limitless."

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

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