Current developments and projects |EdTech

Differentiation Tags is a new Canvas feature enabling tutors to create custom, hidden student groupings within a course for organisational and instructional purposes. The team is responsible for monitoring and testing this functionality against defined release thresholds before full deployment.

Project Manager: Bethan Reid

Discussion Checkpoints is a new Canvas feature allowing tutors to set multiple due dates for graded discussions, supporting different stages of the discussion process such as initial posts and follow-up replies. The team is responsible for monitoring and testing this functionality against defined release thresholds before full deployment.

Project Manager: Bethan Reid

The new Canvas Portfolio is a modern replacement for Classic ePortfolios, enabling students and tutors to collect, reflect on, and showcase learning evidence with features including skill tagging, multimedia embedding, and collaborative tools. The team is responsible for monitoring and testing this functionality against defined release thresholds before full deployment, ahead of the retirement of the legacy version on 30 June 2026. Moving to New Online Portfolio System

Project Manager: Jim Turner

New Quizzes is a modern Canvas quiz engine set to replace the existing Classic Quizzes tool, with a planned full switchover in Summer 2027. The team is responsible for monitoring feature parity, testing functionality, and managing the transition to ensure staff are fully supported ahead of the migration.

Project Manager: Robynne Eller

Ally is a cloud-based accessibility software solution being integrated with LJMU's Canvas VLE to improve equal access to digital content, with a particular focus on supporting students with disabilities and developing staff understanding of digital accessibility. The team is involved in implementation, conducting institutional accessibility audits, enabling alternative content formats for students, and supporting staff adoption through training, guidance, and ongoing monitoring. Ally for Canvas | Staff guide

Project Manager: Bethan Reid

This project involves a systematic review of existing survey data and NSS responses to build a comprehensive understanding of the student digital learning experience at LJMU. The team is responsible for analysing current data, identifying gaps in data collection, and developing actionable recommendations to inform improvements to the digital learning experience.

Project Manager: Jim Turner

This internal project involves a systematic review of all Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) integrations connected to Canvas, with the aim of identifying and removing inactive or redundant tools. The review will improve platform security, streamline data reporting, and increase overall operational efficiency.

Project Manager: Georgina Wilkes

This internal project involves the identification and deletion of unused non-course entries within Canvas to reduce platform clutter and mitigate potential security risks. The work will improve operational efficiency and contribute to a cleaner, more manageable Canvas environment.

Project Manager: Georgina Wilkes

Enhancements for Peer Review improve how tutors assign, manage, and grade peer reviews in Canvas. This release introduces grading and due date controls, along with a new allocation engine that automates how peer reviews are distributed. The team are reviewing this enhancement for potential release.

Project Manager: Robynne Eller