Item 4b. Canvas Learning Management System _ Chronology

Chronology of Canvas Learning Management System
The DeKalb County School District is committed to providing an equitable, accessible, and
secure Empowered Digital Learning Environment supported by innovative technology that
encourages all students to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our
globally connected society. A learning management system (LMS) is a foundational component
of a digital learning environment as it provides the digital framework to share and deliver
content, connect students and teachers in a digital space, and track student progress.

It is a best practice for a school district to select one district-adopted LMS to
ensure a streamlined experience including tool consistency and reduced complexity for users. A
district-adopted LMS also centralizes communication and collaboration along with standardizing
data collection and analysis. Lastly, having one LMS platform simplifies training and support for
teachers and staff, reducing overall costs.

Canvas was selected by qualified professional instructional staff and students based on sound
pedagogical judgment and district requirements during Spring Semester 2021.

The following chronology outlines the district’s engagement with this instructional tool:


 Year 1: 2021 - 2022 (Technical Implementation and Teacher Training)
 Cost: $516,800
 Focus:
    • The first year was used to transition from the existing LMS (itslearning/VERGE) to
        Canvas.
    • Key activities were to convert and migrate data to set up users, courses, and key
        content in Canvas and awareness training for teachers.
    • The district’s curriculum was also transferred from itslearning/VERGE to Canvas.

 Year 2: 2022 - 2023 (Full Adoption)
 Cost: $926,220
 Focus:

    •   The second year was focused on full adoption of Canvas with both teachers and
        students.
    •   Course integration, grade pass back to Infinite Campus, cross listing of courses, and
        content availability were a major focus during year two.
    •   Title IX District Mandates, Student Code of Conduct, and the Digital Dreamers Hub for
        students were also launched in Canvas.
    •   The district introduced the Canvas Parent App.
 Challenges:
 As with any implementation, there were challenges that created some frustration for teachers
 and administrators. Cross listing (combining multiple course sections into one section) was
 the biggest major challenge and required deep analysis and process development. Selected
 high schools piloted this functionality during the second semester, allowing the district to
 refine the process in preparation for the following school year.

 Cost Increase was due to additional services used to improve the user experience.

 Year 3: 2023 - 2024 (2nd Year of Adoption)
 Cost: $978,630
 Focus:
    • Continue and enhance teacher and student support from previous year (e.g. Canvas
        Summer Splash, FUSE Cohort, Hack-A-Thon Student-led evaluation)
    • Expanded key functionality (course cross listing) to all schools, simplifying the grading
        and collaboration among multiple courses for teachers.
    • Added access to digital textbooks and other approved digital resources for teachers
        and students.
    • Established professional learning communities (Leader Labs) for school leaders and
        academic coaches to expand support for teacher and student use.
    • Utilized Tech Cafe events to provide exposure to Canvas for parents and caregivers.


Key Data Points
For this chronology’s sake, effectiveness is measured by the ability to perform tasks outlined in
the district’s Canvas implementation plan.

This includes the expectation that all teachers can access the curriculum resources, setting
technology goals, leveraging the LMS for consistent communication, designing digital content,
activities, and assessments, and providing feedback to students. Teachers are also expected to
access the district’s curriculum resources, perform grade pass back and cross-list courses, and
utilize LTI tools within Canvas. Measures of success consider growth in the number of teachers
and students consistently using Canvas, without a district mandate. Please see data and
progress below.
         Total Teachers   Total Students   # of Assignment   # of
         Using Canvas     Using Canvas     Views             Assignments
                                                             Participations
Year 1           -                 -              -                -
Year 2   2,557            57,561           4,014,158         417,193
Year 3   3,171            52,606           3,902,674         634,138