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Instructure's Acquisition of Concentric Sky Bringing Some Changes to Canvas LMS Users

Badgr Digital Micro-Credentialing Platform to be Rebranded as Canvas Badges, Optional 'Pro' Upgrades Coming

Instructure said today its acquisition of Concentric Sky, maker of the Badgr digital credentialing platform, is complete, and the basic Badgr functions will be integrated into Canvas and rebranded as Canvas Badges.

Badgr was already the default micro-credentialing tool within Instructure's Canvas learning management system. With the merger, Badgr functions will be renamed and part of the Canvas LMS features, Instructure said in a news release. In addition, the Badgr Pro tool suite will be available to Canvas customers as a paid upgrade, offering unlimited badging, leaderboards, analytics and personalized pathway progress visualizations, in a bundle called "Canvas Credentials."

Canvas Credentials will enable institutions to "seamlessly award badges that verify and track academic achievements, including competency-based education," the company explained in a news announcement. With the stackable, shareable credentials, students will be able to track their personalized learning journeys and carry proof of their competencies and skills development.

"We know colleges and universities are seeking innovative new ways to support non-traditional learners and that those students want greater agency to demonstrate skills and achievements to potential employers," said Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure, in a statement. "With Badgr, the Concentric Sky team has developed the gold standard for verifiable, skill-aligned micro-credentials, fast becoming the currency between learning outcomes and employment opportunities. This deal enables us to continue to expand the Instructure Learning Platform to support the evolving needs of all types of educational institutions and the diverse student populations they serve."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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