Canvas LMS Adds Support for Next Generation Science Standards

Instructure is adding new capabilities to its flagship learning management system, Canvas, adding K-12 state and national standards, which will now come preloaded in the system.

The initial integration supports Next Generation Science Standards, which will serve as a "beachhead to begin rolling in additional state and federal standards to facilitate mastery-based learning through the platform," according to an Instructure spokesman.

For the implementation, Instructure partnered with Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit that provides STEM programs to more than 5,000 schools across the United States.

"Together with our Project Lead The Way partnership, this integration makes it easier for teachers to enable outcomes-based education in a digital learning environment for K-12 students," said Brian Whitmer, co-founder and chief learning officer at Instructure, in a prepared statement. "Personalizing instruction for every student, every day is a management nightmare, and this feature will be a huge help in reducing administrative headaches and accelerating the development of STEM programs, in particular. We are thrilled to play an integral part in helping educators advance this curriculum initiative."

Canvas is a cloud-based learning management system currently used by some 6 million students and teachers in 440 educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, according to information published by Instructure. In K-12, Canvas is in use by some 3 million teachers and students spread across schools in more than 150 districts, including Science Leadership Academy, a STEM-focused, inquiry-driven school that operates as a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and the Franklin Institute.

"As we become more sophisticated in our ability to give meaningful feedback to students, we leverage technology platforms like Canvas, which provides a framework that enables this progressive way of teaching and learning," said Chris Lehmann, founding principal of Science Leadership Academy.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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