The situation
Idaho State University (ISU) serves both traditional and non-traditional learners across the country. But their former LMS couldn’t keep up with the needs of their 13,000+ workforce-training enrollments and the 38,000+ learners in their K–12 professional development programs. Programs requiring Pell eligibility or with accreditation led ISU to consider a solution better suited for workforce learners.
Insights
ISU leaders recognized that scaling technical and professional development programs would require a platform free from the constraints of a traditional LMS. Workforce learners weren’t always enrolled in fixed, semester-long courses, and their goals of gaining specific skills mean grade snapshots don’t capture their progress. A skills-based approach with time-tracking capabilities and tools to support accreditation became a high priority in their search.
Canvas Career is a reimagined learning management system for today’s workforce. It’s not what previous LMSs were designed to do.
John Louviere
Chief Officer for Online Enterprises and Extended Learning, Idaho State University
Solution
Canvas Career stood out for its alignment with ISU’s vision of stackable, career-relevant learning that meets the standards of employers and accreditation. Open enrollment support means programs aren’t bound to traditional terms. ISU administrators were drawn to the ability to verify not only seat-time, but also skills, and how the skills-first design of Canvas Career allows learners to easily track their progress in competencies.
Outcomes
ISU is building the infrastructure to scale short, non-degree programs with Canvas Career. The institution can now verify skills and hours of learning while reducing the manual effort tied to accreditation and state reporting. And thousands of learners now have clearer pathways to advancement.
Canvas Career is not just another LMS. It’s a fundamentally different experience designed for stackable, career-forward education.
RaeLyn Price
Director of Continuing Education & Workforce Training, Idaho State University
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