District’s Canvas Portrait Takes Shape

Canvas, the new learning platform at Milton Area High School, is now being used in many classrooms.

Instructional Coach Ms. Susan VanKirk said that all teachers have to build Canvas courses.

“People are using it in varying degrees with their students. Some of them are using it for an entire block every day, and some of them are using it once a week for a quiz,” added Online Facilitator Dr. Kimberly Zelonis.

Social Studies Teacher Mr. Nicholas Vega said that he uses Canvas on a daily basis, adding that all his course resources and materials are found there. His homepage has an agenda that is updated weekly for students who have not been in school or for students on quarantine, he said.

According to Ms. VanKirk, unlike Sapphire, Canvas has features like being able to annotate on Pdf assignments, which is being able to add notes and give an explanation in comment form.

Dr. Zelonis said it is too early to tell if Canvas has met the expectations because teachers are still building and getting used to the platform. “It’s not one of those things we can see overnight whether it worked or it didn’t,” she added.

There have been minor issues, but not any huge ones yet so far because it is too early to tell, said Ms.VanKirk.

Dr. Zelonis added that one issue they have had is trying to connect Canvas to other online platforms, like online textbooks or tools. They have been able to fix this problem, she said.

According to Mr. Vega, he has had issues with testing on Canvas. The platform has limited options when it comes to allowing a student to finish a test that they did not have time to complete during class, he added.

Dr. Zelonis said she has helped teachers who want to do or set up something a certain way and needed help because they do not know how to use Canvas to do so. She added that Canvas works the way it is supposed to and there have not been any problems yet.

Canvas will not be replacing any websites students are currently using, said Ms. VanKirk. Canvas has more capabilities than Sapphire, like being able to submit a voice recording for an assignment, she added.

Dr. Zelonis said that all the administrators are resources for Canvas. The instructional coaches just help out when people are confused or need help with the platform, she added.

Ms. VanKirk said that so far, she has not heard how students feel about Canvas.

Dr. Zelonis said she has heard that Pride students from doing the PBIS lessons found that it is an easier way to find out what to do, but she added that it could be due to the way the teachers organized the course.

Mr. Vega said that students have reported that Canvas is easier to use than Sapphire. “Grading is infinitely easier and faster than in Sapphire, and I can provide more detailed feedback,” added Mr. Vega.

According to Dr. Zelonis, Canvas’s purpose is very similar to the Sapphire Community Portal. The Sapphire Community Portal will still be available to use, she added.

She added that Canvas is “very user friendly.” Ms. Vankirk agreed.

“For (students) that have grown up with computers and know how to use different technology applications, you would not have any trouble with it,” said Dr. Zelonis.