Canvas LMS Features

Explore what Canvas LMS Software offers — from day-to-day workflows to advanced capabilities.

5 features

Personalized Features Setting

This feature allows LMS instructors to create a separate, secure, and structured learning space adaptable to multiple user groups. This access reflects the dynamic framework of the solution’s hierarchy, branding, and control over Canvas, which is set up and organized across their school, district, and institution. 

Gradebook

Canvas platform empowers educators by providing them with an overview of their class progress, including not just final marks. Teachers can set up the layout based on their convenience. It also allows them to add assignments, manage scores and adjust weightings. This makes grading easy and helps spot patterns. Also, grades stay organized in one place. 

Canvas Data

It gives access to raw, event-level files pulled directly from the software. This also facilitates institutions in creating their own activity boards and running advanced queries beyond standardized reporting. The solution can also link with existing data warehouses, allowing teams to merge Canvas LMS information with other data for deeper analysis.

Course Management

This feature enables instructors to stay updated about online learning trends. It allows educators to add optimal course content and modules. Activity calendars are best utilized for the timely delivery of courses. The user-friendly interface of the platform makes it easy to create, modify, and store courses. These courses are later reused in immediate sessions. 

Active Coordination

This platform offers collaboration tools to achieve optimal learning management success. It allows students to communicate with instructors and ask questions to clear their doubts for better understanding. Teachers are supported by a whiteboard to draw diagrams, pin important information, and an open comment box to ask questions in live sessions. 

What is Canvas LMS Software?

Canvas is a cloud-based LMS built for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and other organizations involved in training. The solution serves as a centralized hub for students and educators where they can add learning materials and collaborate for optimal virtual education. Canvas also integrates with third-party apps for a personalized teaching and learning environment.

What is Canvas best for? 

An exceptional feature of this platform is SpeedGrader, allowing instructors to leave reviews, submit assignments, and assign grades. Educators can annotate documents to provide contextual and critical feedback to students without leaving the grading view.

What are the pricing plans of Canvas? 

The pricing structure of learning software varies depending on the number of users, support features, and specific requirements. It typically ranges from $5 up to $25/student/month. The cost of Canvas LMS is customizable and has three tiers:

  • Canvas Core – Custom Quote
  • Canvas Plus – Custom Quote
  • Canvas Next – Custom Quote

Apart from subscription costs, businesses should also add these implementation and setup fees:

  • Implementation and deployment costs range from $5000-$25000, depending on the configuration, institution size, roll-out requirements, and authentication setup.
  • Data and course transfer is estimated at $3000-$20000, based on student records, learning content, volume and complexity of courses.
  • SIS and external apps integration costs from $ 2,000 to $ 15,000. The platform scales according to the number and complexity of authentication, SIS, API, LTI, and other third-party integrations.
  • Onboarding and training can cost from $1000 to $10,000, determined by the number of instructors, administrators and staff requiring training.

To get custom pricing that matches your organizational requirements, contact our experts to request a personalized Canvas LMS Pricing Quote.

Note: pricing references are from publicly available third-party information. Actual cost may vary. 

How does Canvas LMS work?

Navigate the features of the software by logging in to your Canvas account and accessing your dashboard. It involves following these steps:

  • Use the “Message Students Who…” feature to connect with learners who meet specific criteria you define. It helps you to support them exactly when they need it.
  • Monitor learners’ progress in the gradebook, where teachers can enter marks and adjust weightings.
  • Create safe, managed teaching spaces with personalized feature settings.
  • Teachers can monitor activity, engagement, and progress in real-time without leaving the software.
  • The platform allows creation of custom dashboards and extracts raw, event-level data through Canvas Data to feed your institution’s data warehouse.
  • Stay connected on the go with the teacher, parent, and student portal on the devices you find handy.

To further explore the functionalities of the platform, schedule a free Canvas LMS demo.

Is Canvas LMS software you need?

If you are on the lookout for a learning solution offering various things on one platform, then look no further; Canvas is a centralized hub for online learning. The solution is built to scale from single classes to multi- and large institutions. The platform is also protected by SSO 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and NIST 800 -53, along with FERPA compliance.

Canvas also brings AI in through IgniteAI, which carries out multi-step tasks like organizing modules, updating dates in bulk, and drafting announcements from a single prompt.

Still unsure about the software? Contact our customer support for detailed information; they will assist you in making the right choice.

Activity Dashboard Included
Controlled Permissions Included
Training Management Included
Attendance Monitoring Included
Certification and Licensing Included
Applicant Management Included
Asynchronous Learning Included
Activity monitoring Included
Learner Portal Included

Pros

8
  • There’s a free plan for both students and teachers.
  • It saves instructors time in managing multiple online courses and assignments.
  • Canvas LMS has a customizable layout for branding.
  • Automated grading is an added feature for better and more prompt student evaluation.
  • The platform has an easy-to-navigate dashboard and user-centric interface
  • A mobile app is also available to make learning convenient for students.
  • This software product has an insight feature for in-depth performance reports.
  • The solution expands learning capabilities by enabling smooth integrations with your favorite tools.

Cons

3
  • For smooth training sessions, a stable internet connection is a must-have.
  • Course navigation varies by setup.
  • The platform has some limitations in modifying additional features, according to Canvas reviews.

Canvas LMS Software Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

10 Review(s)

Rating Distribution

5

(7)

4

(1)

3

(2)

2

(0)

1

(0)

Share your experience

Judith

Manufacturing

Ease of use
9
Value for money
10
Customer Support
8
Functionality
10

User-friendly interface

Pros

Learning the basics is simple and user-friendly. It does take some time, but you can learn at your own pace.

Cons

Getting started has been a bit difficult for me personally because I don’t have much free time to fully learn and explore the program.

Sriram

Education

Ease of use
10
Value for money
10
Customer Support
10
Functionality
10

Easy and loaded with features

Pros

Canvas is easy to use and loaded with features for managing both in-person and online classes. The gradebook is especially helpful for students because it provides instant feedback on their progress.

Cons

I don’t have anything negative to say. It’s very simple to use and far better than other learning management systems I’ve tried.

Doretha

Other

Ease of use
10
Value for money
10
Customer Support
10
Functionality
10

Reliable and helpful

Pros

It’s been very helpful overall. After using it daily for a few months, navigating the platform has become much easier.

Cons

I don’t have any complaints. It’s been consistently reliable, and while there’s a small learning curve at the beginning, it gets much easier with time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No, this platform is not free for institutions. However, the solution offers a free version for individual teachers and students. 

For Canvas sign-in, a specific URL is provided by schools to join the virtual classrooms. Many schools have also integrated with SSO for easy access to courses.  

Yes, he solution is 100% free for instructors if accessed through the Free for Teachers program. As a teacher, you can directly sign up for the dedicated educator portal. 

The platform smoothly integrates with AWS, Turnitin, BigBlueButton, Inspera, Cidilabs, Google for Education, and Poll Everywhere for quality learning. 

The platform is built for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, businesses, and government agencies. It is also utilized by educators and instructors to make the most of it.