All NM Educators Have Access to Canvas

Schools across New Mexico are utilizing Canvas to create dynamic educational experiences to engage all learners, providing the opportunity for staff and students to shape a meaningful learning environment. With its diverse features and tools in a single online application, Canvas is not only used in K-12 but at thousands of colleges, universities, businesses, and non-profits. This helps provide a bridge for students from K-12 to higher education and beyond.

While the use of Canvas in PK-12 in New Mexico is not required, it is highly encouraged. NMPED is using Canvas for all PED-created professional development, and Elevate NM is incorporating it for school and district personnel evaluations. In short, nearly every NM educator and administrator has a Canvas account that can be used for PED professional learning, growth opportunities, or other shared information. When a user registers for a PED course, they will see the course on their own local LEA or charter Canvas account.

If an LEA or charter school does not use Canvas as its traditional Learning Management System (LMS), a Canvas Lite account is available as part of the NM trust consortium that can be used locally for training, staff development, public information, a principal's corner, content collaboration, and many other applications. Please reach out to the PED for technical guidance and best practice considerations for these types of use cases.

Check out our public-facing/LEA NM Canvas News & Resources course for additional information.

One example of the PED using Canvas to support schools, is the creation of an enrollable course for the general public; Supporting Teachers and Families; to help facilitate substitute training to address the current shortage. This is just one example of the great ways Canvas can be used!

Extra Benefits

Currently, all districts and schools that have signed up for Canvas as their LMS have extraordinary extra benefits as part of the NM Canvas Consortium!

- Canvas Account for each District/Charter School and also for NMPED Professional Learning
- Collaboration opportunities with Canvas consultants dedicated to New Mexico
- 24/7 Tier 1 Support for NM Educators [Dedicated 800 number & live chat]
- Migration support for transitioning from current platforms [Google Classroom, Schoology, etc.]
- Universal Design for Learning Tools and Features

Why Use Canvas?

- Free to all NM schools
- A user-friendly interface for learning and assessment in face-to-face, virtual, blended, or flipped classrooms
- Helps create an equitable learning environment through accessibility protocols and digital tools
- Easy learning on the go with Canvas mobile apps for Students, Parents and Teachers
- Valid and reliable assessment approaches
- Integrate a wide variety of curricula, activities, and assignments
- "One-stop" for all classroom resources, activities and schedules
- A consistent learning experience at schools and districts
- Classroom transparency
- Communication tools for all levels of users
- Educator collaboration thanks to the Canvas Community and Canvas Commons
- Robust reporting and analytics
- and more

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