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

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.

Featured

  • interconnected cloud icons with glowing lines on a gradient blue backdrop

    Report: Cloud Certifications Bring Biggest Salary Payoff

    It pays to be conversant in cloud, according to a new study from Skillsoft The company's annual IT skills and salary survey report found that the top three certifications resulting in the highest payoffs salarywise are for skills in the cloud, specifically related to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Nutanix.

  • a hobbyist in casual clothes holds a hammer and a toolbox, building a DIY structure that symbolizes an AI model

    Ditch the DIY Approach to AI on Campus

    Institutions that do not adopt AI will quickly fall behind. The question is, how can colleges and universities do this systematically, securely, cost-effectively, and efficiently?

  • minimalist geometric grid pattern of blue, gray, and white squares and rectangles

    Windows Server 2025 Release Offers Cloud, Security, and AI Capabilities

    Microsoft has announced the general availability of Windows Server 2025. The release will enable organizations to deploy applications on-premises, in hybrid setups, or fully in the cloud, the company said.

  • digital brain made of blue circuitry on the left and a shield with a glowing lock on the right, set against a dark background with fading binary code

    AI Dominates Key Technologies and Practices in Cybersecurity and Privacy

    AI governance, AI-enabled workforce expansion, and AI-supported cybersecurity training are three of the six key technologies and practices anticipated to have a significant impact on the future of cybersecurity and privacy in higher education, according to the latest Cybersecurity and Privacy edition of the Educause Horizon Report.