By: Amanda Taylor
CSU San Bernardino recently adopted the Canvas Learning Management System. The project was to leverage Canvas to consolidate information about campus resources into single area for student access in a “CSUSB Resources” Canvas site. This site would then be appended to the Canvas Help section in every CSUSB Canvas course. Students could then access support resources such as financial aid, registration, basic needs (food, shelter, etc.), student health services, and others all in one place.
There was no immediate cost associated with the course creation. It uses existing resources and information available from individual departments and on the CSUSB website.
The Canvas site is still in development, so there is no direct evidence of success. However, at least anecdotal evidence has shown that if students can access support networks, they generally have a higher retention rate. Furthermore, the easier access students have to these resources, the more likely they are to use them. As a Hispanic Serving Institution–our student population is 70% Hispanic–any campus initiatives have a direct impact on Hispanic students.