Best Practice Network Selects Canvas by Instructure As New Virtual Learning Environment
-- Canvas is now in use by 20 UK education institutions, servicing 18 million users worldwide
LONDON, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company and creator of the Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE), today announced that Best Practice Network (BPN), an education services provider, has officially selected Canvas as its new learning platform. BPN is a leader in online learning and is the first European user of Canvas Catalog.
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"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 our clients and learners," said Tim McShane at Best Practice Network. "We chose Canvas for its flexibility and ease of use, which will provide immediate results for learners and improve the level of service we offer."
Canvas is a modern VLE that sets a new standard for open technology in education. Built to meet the requirements of contemporary students, teachers and institutions, Canvas enables teachers to plan and schedule courses, while keeping students up-to-date with their own progress via personalised mobile and social notifications.
Canvas Catalog allows schools to host their own branded courses and present their course catalogs online. As a leading provider of continuing professional development, BPN uses Canvas to not only service students, but teachers and school leaders as well. More than 2,500 senior and middle leaders are currently enrolled in nationally recognised professional development qualifications with BPN.
"Best Practice Network is taking a dynamic approach to modernising the learning environment," said Heather Kane, vice president of international markets at Instructure. "We are thrilled to be partnering with an organisation that shares the Canvas vision to create a more robust and engaging educational experience for both teachers and learners."
Best Practice Network conducted a 10-month trial with Canvas and gathered feedback from a wide community, including students, facilitators and tutors. This enabled it to identify the following key features of Canvas that were particularly relevant to their needs:
- Ease of Navigation. Simple navigation, communications and course production enables facilitators to personalise learning.
- Clarity of Layout. Layout is intuitive and simple to follow for students and administrators alike.
- 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.
"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," said Mairead Corbett, who is a candidate to receive the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) via the Best Practice Network. "I enjoyed reading the views of others studying the course and found the discussions with my online tutor interesting and very informative."
Canvas services 18 million users from more than 1,200 educational institutions throughout the world. In the UK, Canvas is already in use by more than 20 institutions, including the University of Birmingham, Wolsey Hall, Voyage Learning, Walton Girls and Sotheby's Institute of Art. To learn more about Canvas, visit www.canvasvle.co.uk.
About Best Practice Network
Best Practice Network provides a portfolio of 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.
About Instructure
Instructure, Inc. is the software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology 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 of learning throughout the world. Because learning doesn't end after graduation, Instructure also offers Bridge, the modern learning and engagement 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.
Contacts:
Katie Tidmarsh, Hotwire PR
Tel: 0207 608 8368 | katie.tidmarsh@hotwirepr.com
Devin Knighton, Director of Public Relations at Instructure
001 385 722-8187| devin@instructure.com
Twitter: @devinknighton | www.instructure.com
Copyright © 2015, Instructure, Inc. All rights reserved. Instructure, Canvas, Bridge and their respective logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Instructure, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brands and names may be claimed as the property of others.
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