Sharing Google Docs Gets Easier for Canvas Users -- THE Journal

Learning Management Systems

Sharing Google Docs Gets Easier for Canvas Users

By Kevin Hudson
02/25/13

Canvas users will be able to share Google Docs with groups of individuals more quickly following Instructure's update of its learning platform.

Before the update, Canvas users had to share Google Docs individually with each member of their group. Now users can share a document with an entire group by granting blanket access via that group's mailing list.

Instructure has prioritized integration of Google Docs within Canvas since the learning platform's 2011 launch, and stated its belief that the combination of Canvas and Google Docs for real-time collaboration "has the potential to increase both the quantity and quality of group work," in a company release.

This integration has already been a boon to the platform, as it was noted in the integration update release that institutions such as The Park City School District and Brown University have cited the Google integration as one of the reasons they chose Canvas over competing learning management systems.

"We built Canvas to make teachers' and students' jobs easier," said Brian Whitmer, Instructure's chief product offer. "Our Google Docs integration is a prime example of how we're doing that."

Instructure was founded in 2008, launching Canvas in 2011 and the Canvas Network in 2012. Canvas is used by more than 300 colleges, universities, and school districts and the company employs more than 200 people, according to the Instructure Web site.

About the Author

Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and How Will It Work?

The federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a new source of funding for education that could benefit 90% of students in states that have opted in to the program. However, some confusion and misconceptions exist surrounding details of the program, including which programs may qualify, how parents can apply for scholarships, and how public school students can benefit.
CoSN: 3 Principles that Should Guide Screen Time Policies in Schools

CoSN, the professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, has released new guidance to help schools navigate the screen time debate and develop technology policies that protect students while supporting learning.
Stop Asking Whether Students Can Use AI

As generative AI has become embedded in the tools students use to search, write, create, translate, organize, and receive feedback, the boundary between "using AI" and "not using AI" has become increasingly difficult to define. More importantly, treating AI use as a binary choice does little to help students understand the different roles AI can appropriately play in learning.
OpenAI's New Astra Model Reaches Critical Cyber Threshold

OpenAI has introduced GPT-6 Astra, its most capable broadly deployed model and the first system the company says has reached the "Critical" cybersecurity capability threshold under its Preparedness Framework.