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.

Featured

  • From Fire TV to Signage Stick: University of Utah's Digital Signage Evolution

    Jake Sorensen, who oversees sponsorship and advertising and Student Media in Auxiliary Business Development at the University of Utah, has navigated the digital signage landscape for nearly 15 years. He was managing hundreds of devices on campus that were incompatible with digital signage requirements and needed a solution that was reliable and lowered labor costs. The Amazon Signage Stick, specifically engineered for digital signage applications, gave him the stability and design functionality the University of Utah needed, along with the assurance of long-term support.

  • cybersecurity analyst in a modern operations center monitors multiple digital screens showing padlock icons, graphs, and a global map with security markers

    Louisiana State University Doubles Down on Larger Student-Run SOC

    In an effort to provide students with increased access to real-world cybersecurity experience, Louisiana State University has expanded its relationship with cybersecurity solutions provider TekStream to launch TigerSOC, a new student-run security operations center.

  • flowing lines and geometric shapes representing data flow and analysis

    Complete College America Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), with the goal of helping higher education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes.

  • geometric pattern features abstract icons of a dollar sign, graduation cap, and document

    Maricopa Community Colleges Adopts Platform to Combat Student Application Fraud

    In an effort to secure its admissions and financial processes, Maricopa Community Colleges has partnered with A.M. Simpkins and Associates (AMSA) to implement the company's S.A.F.E (Student Application Fraudulent Examination) across the district's 10 institutions.