The Utah Education and Telehealth Network Teams with Instructure to Empower Utah Educators with Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) is collaborating with Instructure, a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company, to provide statewide access for all public K–12 districts and charter schools to Canvas, a popular and fast-growing learning management system (LMS). UETN will offer the online learning platform to every teacher, administrator, parent and student in Utah to enhance K–12 instruction. UETN will cover the cost of Canvas subscriptions for the 2017–18 school year.

Canvas provides quick access to digital resources, facilitates the delivery of personalized learning and helps teachers with administrative tasks such as centralizing assignments and resources. Used by small and large educational institutions, more educators and institutions are making the switch to tech learning solutions, with the LMS market expected to grow from $5.22 billion in 2016 to $15.72 billion by 2021. 

"Granting free Canvas subscriptions to all public K–12 districts and charter schools across the state is one of many ways we work to provide equal opportunity to Utah residents," said Laura Hunter, chief operating officer at Utah Education and Telehealth Network. "As active participants in the state's Digital Teaching and Learning Initiative, we are always working to leverage the power of technology for learning."

Canvas by Instructure assists students and parents by providing simple, intuitive tools such as real-time chats, audio and video messages, collaborative workspaces and course updates by email, text or social media. Accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device, Canvas provides 24/7 access to an online platform, in which parents and students can check attendance, track grades and stay in close communication with teachers.

"We're thrilled to join forces with UETN to help maximize achievement for Utah's K–12 students," said Hilary Scharton, vice president of K–12 product strategy at Instructure. "With our headquarters in Utah and many of our employees' children, including my own, in the K–12 system here, we care deeply that all students are given ample tools and resources to succeed in the classroom. We're excited to make teaching and learning easier for teachers, parents, and students."

While seeking to fund Canvas licensing beyond this school year, UETN hopes to apply any new appropriation to reduce or eliminate renewal costs for school districts. If no funding is appropriated beyond the 2017–2018 school year, Instructure has generously agreed to reduce the per-user cost for renewals.

About The Utah Education and Telehealth Network:

One of the nation's premier education networks, The Utah Education and Telehealth Network brings together two well-established organizations that provide critical statewide services to Utah: The Utah Education Network (UEN) and the Utah Telehealth Network (UTN). An innovator in broadband and broadcast delivery of statewide educational and telehealth resources, UETN's robust network connects all Utah school districts, schools, and higher education institutions to quality educational resources.

Providing network, application and support services to more than 1,500 schools, colleges and libraries, UETN also serves more than 70 hospitals, clinics and health departments in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state using interactive video to deliver patient care, provide continuing education to health professionals, and to facilitate administrative meetings.

Contact:
Barbara Thatcher
408-701-7528
[email protected]         

SOURCE Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN)