Best Practice Network has selected the Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE) as its new learning platform and become the first European user of the Canvas Catalogue.

“We selected Canvas after conducting a comprehensive analysis of more than 30 virtual learning environments to ensure we found a platform that meets the needs of all our clients and learners”, said Tim McShane, BPN’s Online Learning Specialist. “We chose Canvas for its flexibility and ease of use which will provide immediate benefits and improve the level of service we offer.”

Canvas is a modern VLE that allows our facilitators to plan and schedule their courses, while keeping candidates on our CPD programmes up-to-date with their personal progress, including via mobile and social media notifications. Canvas will be used by over 2,500 senior and middle leaders who are currently enrolled on Best Practice Network’s nationally recognised professional development qualifications.

“We are taking a dynamic approach to delivering a 21^st century learning environment”, said Colin McLean, Chief Executive at BPN. “We are excited to be partnering with an organisation that can help deliver our vision of outstanding professional development, accessible anytime, anywhere”.

BPN conducted a 10-month trial of Canvas and gathered feedback from programme participants, facilitators, administrators and tutors to identify the particularly important key features of Canvas. These included:

• Ease of navigation. Simple navigation, communications and course production, enabling facilitators to personalise the learning experience
• Clarity of layout. Layout is intuitive and simple to follow
• Adaptability for facilitators. Personalised options allow facilitators to use the platform in a way that best suits their unique needs.
• Accessible by App on iOS and Android devices. Ability to access courses, resources and notifications via mobile applications.

Since hosting courses through the Canvas platform, feedback has been very positive. Sheila Smith, a candidate from the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders (NPQML) said: “I really enjoyed this online course. It allowed me to develop my own understanding of the requirements of the course and the School Project I will undertake. I enjoyed reading the views of others studying the course and found the discussions with my online tutor interesting and very informative”.

Canvas has brought many benefits to our participants. We are able to create sub-groups for online chats and discussions with a constant point of contact to pose questions, debate and network. Participants’ plans, projects and assignments are submitted and assessed through Canvas, as is feedback and updates from tutors. For BPN it enables us to make better connections with the participants and, with access to analytics, we are able to see if candidates are staying on top of their work which enables us to quickly target additional support as needed.

ABOUT BEST PRACTICE NETWORK

Best Practice Network provides a portfolio of outstanding leadership and professional development solutions for the education sector. Working in partnership with the Department for Education, Teaching Schools, Universities and local authorities, they deliver nationally recognised qualifications to hundreds of school leaders and early years professionals each year. To find out more go to www.bestpracticenet.co.uk.

CANVAS BY INSTRUCTURE

Instructure, Inc. is the software company that makes smart software that makes people smarter. Its cloud-based Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE) now connects more than 18 million teachers and learners at over 1,200 institutions throughout the world. Instructure also offers Bridge, a learning platform that enables organisations of every kind to engage with employees by measuring and improving employee sentiment, alignment, and knowledge in real time. Learn more at www.Instructure.com.