Understanding the Efficacy of Canvas LMS for K-12 Students

At Instructure, we believe in building tools that truly make a difference for students and educators. To do that, we need real-world evidence about how Canvas LMS is being used—and how that usage connects to student success. We’re inviting K-12 schools and districts to partner with us on new research studies examining the efficacy of Canvas in various contexts. Together, we can uncover insights that benefit your students while advancing the field. What We’re Studying We’re early in the process of designing these studies and open to working with partner schools/districts on research questions that align with their interests and needs. Some potential questions include: How does Canvas LMS usage relate to student outcomes like attendance or standardized test scores (e.g., math, English language arts)? Do students who engage with Canvas LMS more frequently—or in different ways (e.g., mobile app vs. desktop)—see stronger academic results? How does Canvas LMS usage relate to student engagement, confidence, perceived learning, and satisfaction? These questions may be explored through existing data, or through short student/educator surveys your institution already uses (or that we can help design). Why Participate? Evidence-Based Insights: Receive a practical, accessible report with findings contextualized to your school or district. No-Cost Research: Our team of expert researchers (80+ years of combined experience) will conduct the study free of charge. Low Lift: We’ll work with your leadership and data team to identify the most relevant data. We aim to minimize the burden on your staff. Impact Beyond Your Context: Your partnership supports continuous improvement for Canvas LMS, helping shape the future of teaching and learning worldwide. Next Steps If your school or district is interested in exploring this opportunity, we’d love to set up a short introductory conversation. Together, we can identify the research questions most relevant to your context and begin shaping a study that works for you. To learn more or express interest, please share an email address in the text field. One of our researchers will be in touch shortly!