Situation
WaterBear, based in the UK, was founded on the belief that creative careers don’t have to lead to commercial fame, but they do require resilience. So much so, that their very namesake is a nod to the lesser-known but most resilient organism on the planet—the tardigrade (aka WaterBear).
The team welcomes an eclectic student base pursuing varied creative careers, from songwriting and production to music business and content creation. Their community includes not only young artists starting out but also mature learners, people changing careers, and neurodivergent students seeking flexible, inclusive routes to creative success. Many balance study with full-time jobs, families or life on the road as working musicians. For this diverse mixture of students accessibility and flexibility are key.
Insights
WaterBear needed an LMS that could flex to individual learning styles, accommodate asynchronous study, and integrate a wide array of creative tools.
Our students are parents, performers, producers, neurodivergent learners, and sometimes all of the above. Canvas LMS offers an online learning environment that can meet students where they are, without losing the sense of community and creativity that makes WaterBear special.
Kaya Herstad-Carney
Head of Education (Online), WaterBear
Solution
Using the flexibility and open integrations of Canvas, WaterBear built an interactive, visually distinctive digital environment that mirrors the ethos of its physical campuses.
Key features include:
- Modular and asynchronous Canvas courses
- Flexible learning environments
- Gamified learning
- Virtual community spaces
- Inclusive learning design
Canvas has become our campus for our online learning provision. It’s where our students meet, create, and belong. For many, it’s the first time they’ve felt part of a learning community that truly sees and celebrates them.
Kaya Herstad-Carney
Head of Education (Online),
WaterBear
Outcome
The results have been transformational, both academically and on a personal level.
Flexibility for busy lives
- Modular online courses mean that learners can study at a pace and from a place that works for them.
Inclusion for different learning styles
- Recorded sessions, captioning, and adjustable playback speeds mean students can revisit material in ways that suit their focus and energy levels—a gamechanger for students with ADHD and autism.
A safe online space for everyone
- GatherCampus allows students to appear as avatars, explore virtual classrooms, join study lounges, and even perform on digital stages. This tool takes neurodivergent inclusion one step further, enabling learners to turn cameras off, join small groups, or sit in the “study café” alongside others for quiet focus.
Measurable results
- National Student Survey results were up across all categories, and generally above sector average. In one recent cohort, three of ten graduates (30%) progressed to the MA programme.
