Overview: Canvas and D2L Brightspace as Learning Management System Category solutions.

Canvas and D2L Brightspace are leading Learning Management System solutions serving distinct needs. Canvas spans a wide range of capabilities, offering robust collaboration and extensive engagement support, making it ideal for the educational sector. It excels in integration and custom reporting, facilitating improved internal communications and digital presence. Canvas's extensive support and expansive industry adoption reflect its operational sophistication. On the other hand, D2L Brightspace shines in engagement management and assessments, supporting educational environments keen on scaling best practices and enhancing customer relationships. With a focus on educational and nonprofit organizations, D2L Brightspace aligns well with institutions aiming for steady market growth and relationship nurturing.

Canvas: Canvas by Instructure is an education technology company enhancing student success and teaching. Their leading learning management system empowers educators and students alike.

D2L Brightspace: D2L-Brightspace is an online learning platform created by D2L. Brightspace LMS software enhances online learning and teaching for schools and companies.

Canvas and D2L Brightspace: Best Use cases based on the customer satisfaction data

Key Capabilities Supported

Canvas supports collaboration, engagement management, and effective communication, catering to educational needs. read more →

D2L Brightspace focuses on engagement, following up, and course assessments, suiting dynamic learning settings. read more →

Business Goals

Canvas helps improve internal communications and digital presence, aligning with organizational communication strategies. read more →

D2L Brightspace facilitates scaling best practices and enhancing relationships, aiding market share growth. read more →

Core Features

Canvas shines with integration, data import/export, custom reports, serving extensive data needs with ease. read more →

D2L Brightspace offers analytics, compliance, and security, fulfilling educational and organizational compliance needs. read more →

Vendor Support

Canvas provides extensive 24/7 support and multiple channels, ensuring robust user assistance. read more →

D2L Brightspace offers 24/7 support primarily via chat and email, focusing on round-the-clock assistance. read more →

Segments and Industries

Canvas dominates in mid-market and enterprise within education, positively impacting large-scale environments. read more →

D2L Brightspace caters to education and nonprofit sectors, tailored for organizations aiming precision and growth. read more →

Operational Alignment

Canvas fits into large educational settings with diverse needs, focusing on expansive operational frameworks. read more →

D2L Brightspace aligns with educational institutions focused on engagement and assessment streamline. read more →

Applying your context and needs changes the comparison

Failure Risk Guidance?

Low Medium High

Compliance Risk

low

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medium

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Security & Privacy Risk

medium

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medium

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Integration Risk

medium

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medium

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Migration Risk

medium

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medium

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IT and Other Capabilities

Low
Medium
High

Ease of migration

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Data

Data Import

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Data Export

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Support

Chat Support

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Phone Support

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Email Support

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24/7 Support

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Others

Analytics

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Custom Reports

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AI Powered

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Most deployed common Use Cases for Canvas and D2L Brightspace

What solutions does Canvas and D2L Brightspace provide for Collaboration?

Canvas and D2L Brightspace both support collaboration among students and instructors. Canvas offers features like student groups for projects and embedded tools like Google Docs. D2L Brightspace provides a collaborative learning environment with tools for interaction and communication. Canvas has a stronger focus on external resource use, while D2L Brightspace lacks robust collaborative work tools. Both systems have limitations in collaborative features, such as the lack of a live collaboration space in Canvas and a lack of strong collaborative tools in D2L Brightspace.

"...Group feature - Instructors can set up pages for groups to allow for enhanced collaboration for group projects...." Peer review by Bethany Cleveland, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Auburn University

"...They are adding collaborative tools, video capturing tools, and multimedia interfaces very well...." Peer review by Nathan Winters, Education

What benefits does Canvas and D2L Brightspace offer for Engagement Management?

Both Canvas and D2L Brightspace offer features that aim to increase student engagement. Canvas provides interactive features for both students and parents, while D2L Brightspace focuses on administrative solutions for continuous learning. Canvas has a dedicated customer support team, while D2L Brightspace offers customizable features for different levels of engagement. However, some users find that D2L Brightspace's design is not inherently engaging for students.

"...Perhaps the largest pro of a software like Canvas is that, on the same platform where files are published and shared with others, users can also engage in blog posts, discussions, Zoom conferences, and more features; all of which allow them to communicate with and learn from each other while also becoming familiar with any material posted by their boss, team leader, or professor...." Peer review by Verified Reviewer, Financial Services

"...One stop shop for grading, collecting class data, viewing student experience and activity and engagement...." Peer review by Hannah A, Policy Fellow

How can Canvas and D2L Brightspace enhance your Training & Onboarding process?

Both Canvas and D2L Brightspace provide features for online training and learning. Canvas offers more flexibility in creating training modules, while D2L Brightspace excels at auto-grading quizzes and fostering communication. Both platforms simplify online learning and can be used to manage course content and discussions. However, D2L Brightspace has limitations with compatibility for older computers and browsers.

"...I enjoyed building a canvas course for a career development training for incoming students...." Peer review by Andrew T., Career Counselor, Education

"...Most users will need some training to learn the features, but after getting up to speed should be useable by most...." Peer review by Brian T., Education

How does Canvas and D2L Brightspace address your Content Management Challenges?

Canvas and D2L Brightspace are both used to manage course content, share information, and facilitate communication. Canvas allows instructors to create personalized learning pathways and modify content, while D2L Brightspace excels at integrating with textbook publisher content. Canvas provides a variety of options for creating content, while D2L Brightspace offers multiple methods for completing tasks. However, both systems have limitations. D2L Brightspace may not make uploaded content accessible to people with disabilities.

"...Canvas allow to build your course the way you like, including creating modules, scheduling content availability, creating groups of students, adding records of lecture videos, run a zoom conference, etc...." Peer review by Irina D., Marketing email coordinator (part time contract project), Education