On Friday, September 6, 2024, Instructure, a global leader in educational technology, recently held CanvasCon Philippines 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Manila. The pivotal event gathered educators, technologists, and industry experts to shape the future of education in the Philippines by offering a unique platform for collaboration, innovation, and groundbreaking exchange.

In attendance were FEU Institute of Technology Educational Innovation and Technology Hub (EdITH) Director Manuel B. Garcia, Canvas Administrator Geliza Marie I. Alcober, and more Canvas Team members from other FEU Campuses. They learned about the latest trends in educational technology, explored innovative tools and strategies, and connected with educators and technologists from across the country and the globe.

A Focus on Filipino Students

The conference focused on the specific needs of Filipino students, addressing issues such as boosting digital learning accessibility, effectively utilizing generative AI, and implementing skills-based learning.

A highlight of CanvasCon was the participation of Professor Martin Bean CBE, the CEO of The Bean Center and a renowned international figure in digital education. Bean shared his valuable insights on the transformative trends reshaping the education landscape. He emphasized how institutions can embrace innovation and disruption to create more engaging and sustainable learning experiences.

Ryan Lufkin, vice president for Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, also contributed to the conference by discussing the evolving role of AI in education.

Harrison Kelly, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Instructure, expressed enthusiasm for the growing adoption of technology-enriched learning approaches by educational institutions in the Philippines. He emphasized the importance of CanvasCon as a space for exchanging ideas and learning, which can inspire institutions locally and regionally.

New Updates for Canvas

Instructure's Global Product Manager for APAC, Ruth Thornton, announced exciting Canvas LMS updates during CanvasCon Philippines 2024. The latest updates focused on improving the user experience for all users: administrators, instructors, and students.

For instance, the 'Assign To' feature allows instructors to personalize the student journey by assigning a specific page, quiz, module, or any other Canvas content to a single learner or a particular group of learners. There's also a Speed Grader update that lets instructors easily record a video synthesizing their comments, feedback, or suggestions on a submitted output by the learners.

However, the announcement of Canvas' Block Editor feature was the most significant update that drew positive attention and feedback from the attendees of CanvasCon Philippines 2024. This feature lets users customize their pages to appear as if they were UI-designed pages. Another upcoming Canvas feature is Discussion Summary, which uses artificial intelligence to let instructors get the overall information provided by the students in long paragraphs.

Canvas in FEU Campuses

Each FEU Campus operates with a dedicated Canvas Team, a cornerstone of the university's online education infrastructure. These teams are pivotal in managing the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), ensuring its seamless operation and accessibility for students and faculty. Beyond technical oversight, they are deeply involved in shaping the online learning experience.

By developing comprehensive policies, the Canvas Teams provide a clear framework for using the LMS, ensuring consistency across all campuses. Their commitment to training educators extends beyond basic technical skills; they empower faculty members with pedagogical strategies to leverage Canvas effectively for enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes.

Moreover, the teams actively work to integrate Canvas with other educational technologies, creating a cohesive and efficient digital learning environment. This dedication to innovation and adaptation reflects FEU's commitment to providing students with a world-class online education that meets the evolving demands of the digital age.

CanvasCon Philippines 2024 served as a platform for educators to connect, learn, and explore new possibilities for teaching and learning. The conference reinforced the idea that technology is not merely a tool but a catalyst for educational transformation, unlocking new potential for students and teachers alike.