Teachers and students using the Canvas learning management platform will be able to take advantage of the platform's new integration with Google tools.

The full Google apps for Education (GAFE) suite is now in a centralised environment for users, which means they no longer have to switch between separate tabs and logins.

Canvas states this new integration will increase productivity, streamline workflow and better merge both Google and Canvas.

Canvas Asia Pacific's VP Troy Martin says that the company is committed to helping teachers focus on teaching and not the technology. He says traditional LMS systems force teachers to use exclusive tools and fractured environments.

Students and administrators also benefit from the integration. For students, there is better provision for collaboration with classmates, teachers and viewing teacher feedback. For administrators, the integration offers standards-based technology and Google's educational features for no additional cost.

“Canvas is the first to bring the true power of Google apps for Education (GAFE) into a centralised Learning environment for teachers and students. Teachers can quickly share documents with students, create collaborative documents, slides or sheets and even allow students to submit work for assessment. With only a couple of clicks in Canvas, you have a truly unified environment,” he says.

The platform features interoperability such as:

•  A single sign-on for Canvas and Google
• Google Drive document embedding and linking when using the Canvas rich content editor
• Students can now submit Google Docs as assignments and teachers edit the doc using Speedgrader
• Google drive collaborations across Docs, Sheets or Slides
• Teachers can create read-only Docs in their modules

“Most of the teachers we work with use Google in their classrooms, and they want to use Canvas and Google without switching back and forth between two interfaces. Our educator user base is very excited about this integration because it will make their lives easier,” adds Melissa Loble, VP of partners and platform at Instructure.

“Now teachers, students and administrators alike can use Google's best tools directly inside of Canvas. This integration allows schools to continue having students work in the software they use now and will use after they get their diplomas and jobs in the ‘real world,'” Loble concludes.