| Notes |
Canvas[edit]
Instructure Inc. was created in order to support the continued development of a new learning management system (LMS) originally named Instructure. Once incorporated, the founders changed the name of the software to Canvas. The Utah-based company tested the LMS at several local schools including Utah State University and Brigham Young University before officially launching Canvas. Canvas is now used by more than 3,000 universities, school districts, and institutions around the world.[18]
Canvas was built using Ruby on Rails as the web application framework backed by a PostgreSQL database. It incorporates JQuery, HTML5, and CSS3 to provide a modern user interface. OAuth is used to provide limited access to a user's information on certain social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to allow for collaboration between sites. Canvas operates as a software as a service using Amazon Web Services in the "Cloud".
In 2011, Canvas launched their iOS app, and in 2013, their Android app, enabling mobile access to the Canvas learning platform.[19] The apps were eventually split into Canvas Student and Canvas Teacher, separating features for students and instructors. In 2016, Canvas launched Canvas Parent, their mobile app for parents, for both iOS and Android, allowing parents of K–12 students stay informed on their children's assignments, grades and overall schooling.[20]
Canvas K-12[edit]
In February 2012, Instructure launched Canvas K-12, an LMS platform designed for the specific needs of elementary and secondary schools.[21] The LMS enrolls parents with their students to provide greater visibility into their children's learning experience and provides actionable analytics to teachers and administrators.
Canvas Network[edit]
In November 2012, Instructure entered the massive open online course MOOC market by launching Canvas Network.[22] Instructure's approach to MOOC has been to facilitate experimentation with pedagogy and new ways to use multimedia environments to change cognition and enhance the learning process. One example is "Gender Through Comic Books," a MOOC taught by Ball State University's Christina Blanch on Canvas Network that used lessons from pop culture to explore evolving social norms and other anthropological ideals.[23]
In July 2013, Instructure partnered with Qualtrics, a Utah-based company, to survey MOOC participants on Instructure's Canvas Network about their motivations for enrolling in and completing these courses.[24] The results suggested that educators rethink ways to fully leverage the online learning environment to make the educational experience more engaging and interesting.
Bridge[edit]
On February 18, 2015, Instructure officially launched Bridge,[25] their new cloud-based corporate LMS. This launch followed $40 million raised in Series E funding, led by Insight Venture Partners. EPIC Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners also participated in the funding.[26] This round raised their total lifetime funding to close to $90 million. At launch, Bridge served six corporate clients, including Oregon State University, which had also been using Instructure's Canvas LMS for their students.[16] |