CanvasCon 2025 Europe - Key Takeaways

At CanvasCon Europe 2025, over 500 education leaders, innovators, and practitioners came together in Oslo to discuss what learning looks like across the entire learner lifecycle. From addressing generational shifts and attention challenges to preparing learners for a rapidly changing workforce, the event focused on how institutions can stay relevant, inclusive, and future-ready. Below is a summary of the key sessions and insights shared throughout the event. You can also view the slides here. 

Opening Keynote: Across the Learner Lifecycle

The opening keynote set the tone for CanvasCon Europe 2025, introducing Across the Learner Lifecycle as the guiding theme for Instructure’s vision and product direction. Daniel Hill, Managing Director, EMEA and Sidh Oberoi, VP Global Strategy emphasised that education is no longer linear - learners enter, exit, and re-enter education throughout their lives. So how can institutions and EdTech vendors work together to support engagement, assessment, credentialing, and career readiness within a single, connected ecosystem? This opening set the stage for a series of customer-led breakouts and thought provoking plenary sessions. 

Keynote: Generations in the AI Age – Dr. Paul Redmond

Dr. Paul Redmond delivered one of our most highly-rated keynotes to date, delivering a compelling exploration of multi-generational learning in an era dominated by AI, digital distraction, and constant connectivity. With five generations now learning and working simultaneously, Redmond highlighted a growing gap: while most educators recognise the importance of multi-generational learning, very few feel prepared to deliver it effectively.

He examined how attention has become the scarcest resource in education, citing research on screen time, sleep deprivation, and “continuous partial attention.” These forces affect learners’ ability to focus, engage, and retain knowledge. Redmond challenged institutions to rethink learning design, not by adding more content, but by reclaiming attention through curiosity, community, and capability development.

“It was crucial to start the day with a smile, and Dr Paul managed to capture my attention immediately.” - CanvasCon Europe 2025 attendee

“Dr Paul Redmond's key note was fascinating.”- CanvasCon Europe 2025 attendee

Product Keynote: Building a Future-Ready Learning Platform

The product keynote showcased how Instructure is translating vision into action through meaningful, educator-informed product innovation.  

Key product updates focused on improving engagement, accessibility, and efficiency. Highlights included learner-first dashboards, educator dashboards that streamline grading workflows, AI-assisted rubric creation and feedback, and new accessibility tools such as the Block Editor and course-level accessibility checker. Importantly, AI is always transparent, optional, and GDPR-compliant—designed to save time, not replace educator judgment.

In short: The Instructure ecosystem is evolving with customer input, solving real problems at scale, and reducing reliance on fragmented third-party tools.

“Fantastic to see that Instructure is clearly listening to user input.” - CanvasCon Europe 2025 attendee

“The roadmap presentation from Instructure is always the highlight of CanvasCon.” - CanvasCon Europe 2025 attendee

 

Panel & Provocation: The Lifelong Learner – Martin Bean

Martin Bean’s session challenged institutions to confront a “crisis of relevance” facing higher education globally. He argued that learning must extend far beyond traditional degrees, embracing micro-credentials, skills pathways, and lifelong engagement with learners.

Martin introduced a disruption continuum - from digital skill descriptors and alternative credentials to learning pathways, digital wallets, and recognition of prior learning. His core argument: institutions must stop “dabbling” and instead adopt clear lifelong learning strategies aligned to workforce and societal needs.

The session offered both urgency and optimism. Institutions that embrace lifelong learning can expand access, reach underserved populations, strengthen employer partnerships, and create sustainable new revenue streams—while reinforcing trust in their brand and credentials.

Top takeaways:

1. Lifelong learning is central to institutional survival and relevance
2. Skills-based pathways must be coherent, stackable, and portable
3. Strategy, not experimentation alone, determines long-term success

Closing Keynote: Human-Centred Learning for the Future – Melissa Loble

Melissa Loble closed CanvasCon Europe by bringing together themes of neuroscience, generational diversity, and learner context. She emphasised that effective education begins with understanding how humans learn—across ages, backgrounds, and life circumstances.

Drawing on neuroscience, Melissa highlighted the importance of focus, motivation, emotional connection, and even failure as essential components of learning. She challenged institutions to design environments that account for stress, sleep, attention, and wellbeing—factors that directly impact learning success but are often overlooked.

The session reinforced that technology alone cannot transform education. Instead, impact comes from aligning pedagogy, culture, and tools around the learner as a whole person. 

Top takeaways:

1. Learning design must align with how the brain actually learns
2. Whole-learner support drives better engagement and outcomes
3. Human-centred strategy is essential in an AI-powered world

“I really appreciated that we had time to mingle and connect with other users during the event. It's essential to be able to reflect on other users who are experiencing similar issues in Canvas or just the Higher education environment in general.“ - CanvasCon Europe 2025 attendee

Rachel Orsten, Chief Customer Officer wrapped up the day with a heartfelt thank you to the Canvas Community, and an exciting reveal for 2026 - the next CanvasCon Europe will be hosted in London! Watch this space for tickets.