InstructureCast - The Official Instructure Podcast

In this episode of InstructureCast, Melissa and Ryan take a new approach to the generative AI discussion -- turning to two people currently in the thick of their education journey, inviting them to share their experiences with ChatGPT.

Simon Kaminer is a senior in high school at The High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College and Finley Lufkin is in her first year at the University of Utah. Join in the conversation as these two students share their thoughts, insights, and ideas about how to use generative AI from the student perspective.

Host Ryan Lufkin pulls in Instructure's VP of International Strategy, Sidharth Oberoi for a more global perspective on the results from the annual State of Student Success and Engagement in Higher Education. While some of the responses from EMEA and APAC regions echo those from North America, there were several areas, such as generative AI and the desire for apprenticeships, where regional results differed.

To dig even deeper into the results, you can find the different reports here: 

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat, your host, Nicole Hiers, is joined by Kristin Lundstrum, Instructure Community Manager, and some very special Community members; Beth Crook, Matthew Jennings, Gregory Beyrer, Valentine King, and Kona Jones to celebrate our incredible 2 million member milestone!

Join us to hear about how this panel has experienced our robust community space, and how their experiences with the Instructure Community have impacted the way they approach teaching and learning.

Episode disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.

Episode resources:

In this “breaking news” episode, InstructureCast host Ryan Lufkin walks through the details surrounding the White House’s new Executive Order on AI and just how Instructure contributed to the process. 

With a lot of information outlined in this “minisode,” we invite you to dive deeper into the details through these resources: 

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat, Nicole Hiers interviews Canvas Studio experts Samantha Matthis and Emily Koutsoyannis. With an overview of Canvas Studio, a highlight of its key features, and a bird’s eye view of its evolution, you won’t want to miss the inside scoop. The conversation delves into the practical applications of Canvas Studio in education, including insights from Samantha and Emily from their current and past roles. 

Check out these incredible Canvas Studio resources!

In this super-sized episode, Melissa and Ryan meet with two incredible educational experts, thought leaders, and long-time friends of Instructure, Professor Martin Bean, CBE, and Dr. James Henderson.

Martin Bean is currently a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia and CEO of The Bean Centre, an organization of collaborators and visionaries in the education and tech worlds that are designing an educational future that works,

Jim Henderson is the president of the University of Louisiana System where he strives to bring world-class higher education to the students, employers, and communities of Louisiana. 

To dig in deeper to the articles, studies, and programs referenced in this episode, check out these links: 

Host Ryan Lufkin sits down with Instructure’s Director of Content Marketing, Jessica Griner, to discuss the six key trends that were revealed in the fourth annual State of Student Success and Engagement in Higher Education global survey. 

Lauren Burlison Janoska, better known as the "Canvas Queen," is the featured guest on this week’s episode of InstructureCast. She shares with host Melissa Loble how she earned her title as the Canvas Queen and how she helps new-to-Canvas educators and even seasoned Canvas users improve their courses.

Melissa Loble, recently named as Instructure’s Chief Academic Officer, chats with Instructure CEO Steve Daly about the significance behind the role and her three-pronged approach to the role: 1) contributing to the larger body of thought leadership in the educational space, 2) working on the ground with educators at all levels through the educational organizational structure, and 3) bringing and academic lens to Instructure's future strategy.

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat, join your host Nicole Hiers as she interviews Brittany Jeanes, Jennifer Fribush, and Jennifer Hindes, to uncover their pioneering approach to implementing Canvas for Elementary in Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative. Together, they share their on-the-ground experiences, highlighting the challenges they've overcome and the successes they've achieved. Tune in to explore the our highlight on Canvas for Elementary!

Hosts Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin welcome Amanda Sessions, an Instructure higher ed strategic customer service manager who is an expert on Competency-Based Education, or CBE. Learn how many higher ed institutions are embracing the CBE model of education, a model that gives learners the power to earn credentials through mastery, move through programs at their own pace, receive proactive guidance and support, and produce portfolio-ready work.

To learn even more about CBE programs, please check out these valuable resources mentioned in the podcast: 

Host, Nicole Hiers, is joined by Renee Carney, Kristin Lundstrum, and Nathan Atkinson to talk all things Instructure Community. Shining a spotlight on the Community, this episode celebrates a significant milestone and introduces you to the new and exciting feature available in this space. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the Instructure Community team and platform!

In this episode, host, Nicole Hiers, joined by Don Lourcey, Sarah Hawkins, and Elizabeth Lourcey, delve into the unique challenges teachers face as they gear up for the new school year. From lesson planning to managing classroom dynamics, we discuss practical strategies to cope with stress, prevent burnout, and prioritize self-care, ensuring a successful and mentally healthy start to the school year.

Special guest hosts, Jenn Mitchell, Senior Director of Instructure's Product Marketing, and Karl Rectanus, SVP of K-12 Strategy at Instructure, dissect and discuss the details surrounding Instructure’s annual State of Assessment in K-12 Education survey. 

Host, Nicole Hiers connects with Lizzy Rodriguez, Principal Learning Consultant at Instructure, Erin Mahoney-Ross, Learning Consultant at Instructure, and two incredible clients, Kristie Bigler from Indiana State University and Steven Sproles from Virtual Virginia! We talk about the Adoption Success Toolkit; what it is and the impact it has in the implementation of Canvas.

Bamboo Beat Episode: Guest host Nicole Hiers hangs out with Deonne Johnson, Instructure’s Director of People & Culture, Lyndsey Martin, Principal Program and Curriculum Designer, Miranda McIntosh, Manager in Learning Services at Instructure, and Brittany Jeanes, Principal Instructional Designer at Instructure! We talk about the incredible Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist, why and how it was created, and how you can use it to elevate your online and hybrid courses. 

InstructureCast's new podcast hosts Melissa Loble, Instructure's Chief Customer Experience Officer, and Ryan Lufkin, VP of Global Strategy for Instructure, kick off the newly reformatted podcast, formerly known as Canvascasters, with a hot topic ... generative AI! Tune in to these edtech experts to learn all about Instructure's approach to AI and get a sneak peek into upcoming AI-powered tools within the Instructure Learning Platform!

For more information about generative AI, be sure to check out these links:

Panda Pros are back! Guest host, Nicole Hiers gets the inside scoop on Instructure’s offering of Panda Pros this year. She is joined by Michelle Lattke, Senior Director of Learning Services, Jaime Jackson, Learning Consultant at Instructure, and Stella Hernandez, Principal Learning Consultant at Instructure. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of everything you want to know about Panda Pros 2023 and some exciting announcements!

Guest host Nicole Hiers chats with Elizabeth Miller, Regional Director at Instructure, and Michael Kocher and Da’Shira Jackson, Program Managers at Instructure. They discuss the world of gamification and credentialing, and how Instructure’s products support engagement in online and hybrid learning environments.

Explore how the Principal's Corner can infuse connection and communication within Canvas. Guest host Nicole Hiers connects with Chasina Worman, Brittany Firestone, Dr. KC Testerman, and Mark Sluzky, Instructure’s Principal Learning Consultants, and Dr. Jackie Ashmore, Principal of Chaputnguak School & Amaqigciq School! The group discusses the benefits of a Principal’s Corner to empower educators and bridge relational gaps amongst teams.

Guest host Nicole Hiers meets up with Sam Christ, Instructure's Principal Learning Experience Designer, and Nancy Lowery, Cengage Marketing Manager for Instructor & Learning Management Systems. The trio talks about the new partnership Instructure now has with Cengage, as part of the LMS' Training Services Portal.

Guest host and Instructure Customer Marketer, Shelly Ruff, huddles up with Product Manager Jacqueline Coolidge and K-12 CSM Michael Prosia to talk about the newest, FREE, feature in Canvas — Admin Analytics.

Links for more information:

Shelly and guest co-host Amber Williams huddle-up with Janie Solinski -Ruddy to talk about the new and improved Training Services Portal for Canvas. We also talk #ConfettiWithCanvas and talk mental wellness moments with our #CanvasFam!

The Canvascasters Podcast co-host, Marcus Painter, appears on the BISD BirdCast Podcast to face-off against an old friend, Matt Miller!

The challenge was fierce, but the conversation and ideas were better!  What a great episode!

Check-out the following:

In this episode, Marcus talks to Aaron Ferguson the Coordinator of Distance Learning and Canvas administrator of Oxnard Online, and Saša Stojić, a dedicated Instructional Designer at Instructure.  These two, and many others at Oxnard Union High School District, have teamed up to create and build some truly impactful new approaches to content restructuring, accessibility best practices, course building, and credit recovery!

7 Pillars of Accessibility:

In this episode, Marcus talks with a few educators about the “side hustles” and hobbies that are integral to their lives, their mental health, and sometimes even their wallets.  Ultimately, all people are seeking the truest work/life balance possible.  The guests on this episode are all educators with amazing insights and stories about the activities that enrich and enhance both their personal and professional lives.

WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association

Welcome to Episode 50 of The Canvascasters Podcast.  Today, Marcus invites two of his good friends, Carrie Gardner and Lindsey Hallett from Kansas to kick-off the 2022-2023 school year the right way by filling up our Canvas Backpacks with everything educators need to know to thrive during the 2022-2023 school year!

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts

Please consider reviewing the podcast!

Register for a time slot with a Panda Pro:

The purpose of Global Accessibility Awareness Day is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities. GAAD is an annual event that occurs on the third Thursday of May! https://accessibility.day/ 

Our guest will include Amy Everhart (K12) & Matt Jennings (HE). 

Welcome to Episode 48 of the Canvascasters Podcast! In this episode, we talk with Misty Joaquin, a Digital Learning Facilitator, serving Little Elm ISD, in the great state of Texas! We dive into the importance of Mental Health, from an educator’s perspective.  We discuss strategies and healthy practices for mental health, as well as ways to make life more manageable using Canvas itself.

Welcome to Episode 47 of the Canvascasters Podcast! In this episode, we talk with Glenn Davis, the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and professor of English at Bowling Green State University.  Glenn and others, spear-headed an initiative in 2020 to partner with the Instructional Design Team at Instructure to completely reimagine course design.

We will also discuss how Bowling Green State University placed a priority on course design in order to ensure quality learning within the various learning modalities they have faced throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic and what that initiative looks like today.

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Welcome to Episode 46 of the Canvascasters Podcast today we are "discussing discussions" which is one of the most powerful tools for learning within Canvas LMS! In this episode, we dig into the power of Discussions in K12 and Higher Education, fun ideas to innovate with discussions, and best practices from the experts as we are joined by Melissa Greer & Linda Lee.

Melissa Greer began her career as a high school Latin teacher for the Newton College and Career Academy and STEM Institute in Covington, GA., where she, herself, attended growing up.  This year she moved into a Digital Learning Coach role where she supports teachers at 3 middle schools.  Currently, she is working on getting her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University. In her infinite free time (*jokes*) she likes to hang out with her boyfriend and dog, travel, cross stitch, decorate custom cookies, and just be a nerd (listen to podcasts about and play D&D, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, books by Brandon Sanderson, etc.)

Linda Lee is a folklorist, educator, and instructional designer. She’s the Director of Instructional Design at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she leads instructional design and training efforts for the IDEA Courseware Team. She came to instructional design by way of adjunct teaching. She’s used Canvas as an instructor since 2014 and as an admin since 2015, when she joined Wharton as the school’s first instructional designer. Since then, she’s developed deep expertise in inclusive course design and all things Canvas, including Blueprint courses, discussions, and group assignments. She’s presented widely on these topics, including at InstructureCon 2021 and Educause 2021, where she co-presented sessions on “Change the Prompt, Not the Tool: Developing Effective Discussions” with Penn colleagues Meryl Krieger and Adam Zolkover.

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Welcome to Episode 45 of the Canvascasters Podcast today we are "discussing discussions" which is one of the most powerful tools for learning within Canvas LMS! In this episode, we dig into the power of Discussions in K12 and Higher Education, fun ideas to innovate with discussions, and best practices from the experts as we are joined by Melissa Greer & Linda Lee.

Melissa Greer began her career as a high school Latin teacher for the Newton College and Career Academy and STEM Institute in Covington, GA., where she, herself, attended growing up.  This year she moved into a Digital Learning Coach role where she supports teachers at 3 middle schools.  Currently, she is working on getting her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University. In her infinite free time (*jokes*) she likes to hang out with her boyfriend and dog, travel, cross stitch, decorate custom cookies, and just be a nerd (listen to podcasts about and play D&D, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, books by Brandon Sanderson, etc.)

Linda Lee is a folklorist, educator, and instructional designer. She’s the Director of Instructional Design at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she leads instructional design and training efforts for the IDEA Courseware Team. She came to instructional design by way of adjunct teaching. She’s used Canvas as an instructor since 2014 and as an admin since 2015, when she joined Wharton as the school’s first instructional designer. Since then, she’s developed deep expertise in inclusive course design and all things Canvas, including Blueprint courses, discussions, and group assignments. She’s presented widely on these topics, including at InstructureCon 2021 and Educause 2021, where she co-presented sessions on “Change the Prompt, Not the Tool: Developing Effective Discussions” with Penn colleagues Meryl Krieger and Adam Zolkover.

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Welcome to Episode 43 of the Canvascasters Podcast with our #DLDay Recap! Welcome to the first EVER CANVAS DEMO SLAM!  We have collected some verified Canvas Gurus to compete in what’s called a Demo Slam!  What’s a demo slam, you may ask?  Well, it’s simple.  Each competitor gets 3 minutes to demo anything they want in, about, or relating to Canvas LMS.  They have complete freedom of strategy, content, tips and tricks, whatever.  The only rules are that they have to complete their demo within 3 minutes, and, of course, it’s got to be related to our favorite LMS, Canvas.  And, the best part is that YOU, those watching LIVE, will vote to decide the winner!

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Welcome to Episode 42 of the Canvascasters Podcast with our #DLDay Recap! Our first session welcomes Kristin Barr (Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Personalized Learning) and Pattie Bowen (Instructional Technology Resource Teacher) as they discuss their journey with Canvas LMS and Impact.

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Welcome to Episode 41 of The Canvascasters Podcast and a special edition as Eddie & Marcus finally reveal some personal news. Join them alongside some of the CanvasFam as they celebrate this important accomplishment.

Details on Canvas LMS for Dummies:

Welcome to Episode 40 of the Canvascasters Podcast with Tracy Parodi!  Tracy works as an Instructional Technologist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Prior to working at Embry-Riddle, she served as an elementary school teacher for 7 years, as a K-5 Online Instructor for 7 years, and as a Personalized Learning Leader for 3 years, all in the Volusia County School District in Daytona Beach.

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Our FIRST OFFICIAL edition of The Canvascasters Podcast where the Canvascasters board the boat to Iceland and catch up with our CCE/Twitter friends Helena Sigurdardottir and Valla Ósk. Both educators have given so much to their schools and universities and recently led a deliberate Canvas LMS rollout. 

Helena has a Masters degree in Educational Science and Information Technology and is finishing a MicroMasters in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus.  She has been a classroom teacher for 20 years, and has been effectively using ICT skills to help students with learning disabilities in the classroom.  She has led implementation of smart devices in elementary and high schools in Iceland for eight years, and now as a part of international projects at the University of Akureyri. Helena’s work consists of advising teachers about pedagogy and technology within their courses. All courses are online in using Canvas.  She, along with a few others, are in charge of Canvas LMS and have just finished their deliberate implementation process. She finished the Canvas Certified Educator program in August 2021

Valla has a Bachelor's degree in Danish and has lived in Denmark for some years, both for work and study. She has a teaching degree as well, and is a Danish teacher (in Iceland Danish is taught as a foreign language). She’s even taught IT, Introduction to Social Science, and Innovation. Valla has been a part of establishing two upper secondary schools, in 2004 and in 2010. Although Valla has experience using both Angel and Moodle she started using Canvas while working at the University of Akureyri in 2019. Since September 2019, Valla’s work has included instructional design at the Center of Teaching and Learning at the University of Akureyri, where she continues to support teachers in using Canvas and other programs, such as Panopto, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Valla also had the chance to participate in the CCE program!

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Want to learn about how you can win a CCE Scholarship...

Pay close attention to the break in this episode to snag your chance!

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MUSIC PROVIDED BY:

Welcome to Episode 37 of The Canvascasters Podcast w/ Don Lourcey! 

“The Don”, as we like to call him, is the Digital Teaching and Learning Coach & Canvas Administrator at Iredell-Statesville Schools in North Carolina.  As is the case with so many amazing educators, Don started as an English teacher!  He has extensive expertise in digital and online learning throughout his career.  And, on top of all that, his Canvas game is strong!  He is an Instructure Contractor: Instructional Designer, Canvas Trainer, and a Canvas Certified Educator Facilitator.

Don Lourcey has been highlighted in a number of Canvas webinars and Livestreams and is a strong voice in the Canvas community who is always helping fellow Canvas users improve!  

In This Episode:

Welcome to Episode 36 of The Canvascasters Podcast!

2021 Nebraska Canvas User Group Conference - Marcus, Eddie, and our good friend KC Testerman (DR. KC!) hosted an afternoon chat with audience Q&A. It's always great to spend time with KC and we had a blast being a part of this conference.

Welcome to Episode 36 of The Canvascasters Podcast!

2021 Nebraska Canvas User Group Conference - Marcus and Eddie were invited to keynote this 5th Annual Event and it was incredible. We are humbled by the experience and hope you find a few nuggets in our keynote recording - in its ENTIRETY!

Welcome to Episode 35 of the Canvascasters Podcast!

Today we turn over the mic to two of our favorites as they host The Canvascasters.

Eddie & Marcus were thrilled to provide this closing session for the Elementary Summer Camp provided by the fantastic facebook group : Canvas for Elementary. This is the audio recording from that session.

Welcome to Episode 34 of the Canvascasters Podcast!

Today we welcome two members of the TL;DR Canvas Podcast - Jenn Mitchell & Ryan Lufkin! 

After working in higher ed, Jenn worked in marketing before finding a home in K-12 edtech. Passionate about supporting educators as they make real, lasting impact for students, she leads the K-12 product marketing team for LMS and Assessment products. Ryan’s career has been largely spent in the edtech space. His experience spans enterprise resource planning and curriculum design and he has worked for various LMS providers. He currently focuses on strategic initiatives that market Canvas to both new and existing customers.

In today's episode we cover everything from: