Meet some of our customers
Meet some of our customers
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What is a learning management system (LMS)?
A learning management system (LMS) is the backbone of modern education. It’s the digital platform where students access course materials, submit assignments, receive feedback, and engage with teachers and peers, whether they're in the classroom, at home, or learning on the go.Common features include customisable course creation, real-time progress tracking, and integration with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.
In the Asia-Pacific region, where flexibility, scale, and digital-first learning are fast becoming top priorities, the right Learning Management System (LMS) is essential for success. Schools, universities, and training providers across APAC—from Australia and Singapore to the Philippines and beyond—are turning to LMS platforms to power blended and remote learning. With growing demand for flexible, scalable education solutions, LMSs like Canvas, Moodle, and Blackboard are helping institutions improve learning outcomes while streamlining teaching and administration. As the region continues its digital education transformation, choosing the right LMS can make all the difference.
What is Canvas LMS?
Canvas LMS is the world’s most widely used learning management system, trusted by schools, universities, and training providers in more than 70 countries. Built to support teaching and learning at any scale, it’s a secure, cloud-based platform designed for ease of use, flexibility, and connection.
Every Ivy League university in the United States uses Canvas, and it’s fast becoming the platform of choice across the Asia-Pacific region thanks to its modern interface, robust features, and deep commitment to education.
Canvas LMS was built to make teaching and learning easier for everyone.
What are the benefits of using an LMS?
An LMS helps streamline learning and simplify education delivery, whether in-person, online, or hybrid. It’s especially valuable in fast-growing education systems where scale, consistency, and engagement matter.
With an LMS, you can:
Centralise
a cloud-based LMS is hosted online, with no need for servers
Support
a cloud-based LMS usually comes with a lower upfront cost since schools will not need to invest in servers, perpetual licenses, IT team, hosting services, etc
Provide
a cloud-based LMS can be accessed from anywhere, on any device without any software installation required
Enable
the best cloud-based LMSs deliver 99.99% uptime since it doesn’t need to be unavailable for server maintenance, software upgrades, etc
Reduce
the best cloud-based LMSs have an easy-to-use interface that readjusts to any device, helping drive adoption
Improve
the best cloud-based LMS are multi-tenant and designed to scale to tens of millions of users
For many universities, schools and training providers across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, adopting an LMS is a crucial first step towards more scalable, data-informed, and student-centred education.
Why choose a cloud-based LMS?
Cloud-based learning management systems are hosted online, not on your institution’s servers. That means no infrastructure headaches, lower maintenance costs, and the flexibility to access learning from anywhere, on any device.
Canvas LMS is built natively in the cloud, meaning your platform is always secure, up to date, and ready to scale as your needs grow. There’s no need for manual upgrades or internal IT support to maintain performance. Whether you’re supporting a single campus or an entire university system, Canvas grows with you.
The benefits of a cloud-based LMS like Canvas:
- Fast, reliable access for learners and educators—anytime, anywhere
- Automatic updates and new features, with no downtime
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance with regional data standards
- Scalability across multiple campuses, languages, and course formats
Cloud vs open-source LMS: What’s the real cost?
Open-source LMSs may seem attractive at first glance, especially because they’re often described as “free.” But managing an open-source platform often requires significant internal resources. From server hosting to updates, integrations, and technical support, institutions can quickly find themselves patching things together or relying heavily on consultants, which can come with a high price tag.
A cloud-based LMS like Canvas removes those barriers. With Canvas, you get:
- A dedicated team focused on platform stability, security, and innovation
- Automatic updates with no downtime or manual intervention
- Predictable, transparent pricing—no surprise costs
For Universities and schools across Asia-Pacific that want to scale without technical overhead, cloud platforms offer peace of mind and long-term value.
How Canvas supports better learning
Canvas LMS was built to make teaching and learning easier for everyone. Whether you’re supporting students in a blended classroom, delivering fully online degrees, or offering flexible adult learning, Canvas helps you deliver high-quality learning experiences without complexity.
Anytime, anywhere access
- Canvas works across devices, locations, and time zones. Great for hybrid classrooms, regional campuses, and learners balancing study with work or family.
Offline mode for learners
- With Canvas’s offline mode, students can download coursework and continue working even without internet access. Once reconnected, all progress and submissions sync automatically, ideal for areas with unreliable connectivity.
Simple, intuitive design
- Educators and learners can get started quickly. No steep learning curve, no unnecessary clutter—just the tools you need to teach and learn effectively.
Customisable for your curriculum
- Easily align courses to national education standards, institutional frameworks, or industry requirements. Whether you're in K-12, higher education, or vocational training, Canvas fits your structure.
Engagement built in
- With in-app video, discussions, collaboration tools, and mobile notifications, Canvas makes it easy to keep learners connected and motivated.
Seamless assessment and feedback
- Track progress, manage submissions, and provide rich feedback, all in one place. Save time and support more personalised learning journeys.
Integrates with your favourite tools
- Canvas integrates with thousands of apps, including Google, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom, content libraries, and edtech tools, so you can create a rich digital learning ecosystem.
Supporting employee training and workforce learning
In addition to formal education, Canvas supports training providers, registered training organisations (RTOs), and companies delivering compliance or skills-based learning.
With the same ease of use and scalability, Canvas is well-suited for onboarding, certification, and upskilling initiatives—helping organisations support learning throughout people’s careers.
Ready to explore Canvas?
Choosing the right LMS is a big decision, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Let’s talk about how Canvas can support your learners, your teachers, and your goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canvas LMS an open source learning management system?
Canvas LMS is an open-source Learning Management System. It means Canvas LMS’s technology runs in one digital environment (digital platform) to provide students and teachers with learning tools. In this environment or platform, an open-source (code available to anyone to view) application enables teachers and students to manage educational materials and interactions.
What is an LMS?
LMS is the short form for Learning Management System. An LMS is an application that helps teachers and students store, manage and personalize all online learning materials and interactions. An LMS can be a software application hosted locally in the school/corporation's server or cloud-based, hosted in a web server. An LMS can have its source code available to anyone to view and inspect (open source) or closed (no one has access besides its developers).
What is an example of LMS?
Canvas LMS is an example of a Learning Management System (LMS). Canvas LMS allows teachers to organize their classrooms from course management to grading and feedback and collaboration with colleagues to communicate with students and families. Canvas LMS simplifies activities while amplifying teaching so that educators can impact student achievement in-depth and at scale.
What is a cloud-based Learning Management System?
A cloud-based Learning Management System is a web-based technology that is hosted in the cloud on a web server. A cloud-based LMS allows students and teachers to access their online courses and materials from anywhere, anytime, on any device. Users only need an internet connection to log in to a cloud-based Learning Management System.
What are the advantages of the Learning Management System?
A Learning Management System (LMS) offers schools and corporations many competitive advantages while bringing innovation to any learning environment. An LMS simplifies teaching and learning with technology; it is the central hub for online, hybrid, and in-person classrooms. A Learning Management System (LMS) can give students the flexibility to learn from anywhere, anytime, while allowing institutions to expand their offerings to a broader range of learners.
Is there a free version of Canvas LMS to try out?
Yes, Canvas LMS offers Free-for-Teacher, providing basic functionality to students and teachers to explore courses and learn basic Canvas LMS features. Educators can deliver courses, create content, and personalize learning with Mastery Paths, Outcomes, and standards-based gradebooks. Users can also utilize Canvas mobile app suite and integrate external applications to its free Canvas LMS version.
Is Canvas LMS a cloud-based or self-hosted Learning Management System?
Canvas LMS is a cloud-based learning platform. Canvas LMS was born in the cloud to provide education for all. Canvas LMS was built to deliver the best possible end-user experience and unparalleled reliability and security. Canvas LMS has been a native SaaS from the start and has stayed true to its promise of delivering 99.99% uptime.
Can students use Canvas LMS for free?
Yes. Canvas LMS is 100% free for students. You can access your free Canvas LMS student account if your school uses Canvas or through a free (non-school-associated) Canvas LMS account. Students can log in to their learning management system account by clicking here.
Is Canvas LMS a SaaS?
Yes. Canvas LMS has been a native SaaS (Software as a Service) from the start and has stayed true to its promise of delivering 99.99% uptime. Canvas LMS is a reliable learning management system. It offers a multi-tenant SaaS architecture supported by Amazon Web Services providing seamless hosting, security, backups, and hands-free updates requiring no downtime.
How long has Canvas LMS been around?
Canvas LMS was launched in 2011 by Instructure. In 2012, Instructure began offering open, online courses for everyone, everywhere. It soon became the leading learning management system, unseating the most popular LMSs in the educational industry.