Proving “small” can be a selling point
for students and staff.

MBO Utrecht emerged as a small independent vocational college following the dissolution of a larger regional institution back in 2013. 

Given their size and autonomy, MBO Utrecht had the potential to work nimbly, both in their approach to delivering quality learning for students and up-to-the-minute upskilling for faculty. However, their edtech stack was holding them back.

In the aftermath of becoming independent, the institution was running with fragmented edtech systems across their 10 academies. This led to duplicated efforts when developing courses for students, creating extra burden on an already stretched faculty. What’s more, professional development opportunities for staff were ad-hoc, with course information saved in disparate places. 

MBO Utrecht recognised that by implementing Canvas LMS and Catalog, they could unify teaching and learning and drive professional development, all without increasing headcount or workload on their lean teams.

• Canvas LMS to be rolled out as the central learning platform across 10 academies for students and staff, working with Instructure’s Netherlands-based implementation partners - Drieam.
• Canvas Catalog to become the storefront for staff L&D opportunities.

For Students

• Less confusion, better clarity. By implementing Canvas LMS across all academies, MBO Utrecht gives students a single, reliable place to find their materials, submit work, and engage with teachers. 
• Improved learning and engagement. With implementation partner Drieam, MBO Utrecht co-designed a visual and didactical template used across all courses in Canvas LMS. This ensures every student course has a clear learning flow, accessible layout, and consistent expectations.

For Teachers

• Reduced admin, more time-saved. Canvas LMS allows cross-academy collaboration and course sharing. And because Canvas LMS is home to standardised quality course templates, this removes duplication of efforts across departments,  which speeds up course creation, and frees up staff time for higher-level work.
• Smoother L&D access for staff. Catalog is the storefront to all the latest L&D courses for staff. For example, MBO Utrecht has developed prerequisite AI e-learning modules in Canvas LMS, which staff can enrol in through Catalog. Staff now report more confidence experimenting with AI and translating it into classroom practice.
• Improved compliance. With courses housed in Canvas and promoted through Catalog, MBO Utrecht can now track and evidence staff development (e.g., who completed which pathway, when). For example, early privacy training highlighted  that only 1% of faculty had completed the course, prompting a move to mandatory, reportable pathways and more habitual compliance course completion from staff.