Baliuag University

In the heart of Bulacan, Philippines, Baliuag University (BU) stands as a testament to educational evolution. Founded in 1925 as Baliuag Institute with only 75 high school students, BU has grown into a comprehensive institution oering basic education, senior high school, 29 collegiate programs, and 11 graduate programs. As it approaches its centennial, BU continues innovating, particularly in its approach to digital learning.

Back in 2017, though Baliuag did not yet have an institutional Learning Management System (LMS), educational and learning technology had been on their radar for some time. Faculty were using various platforms, including Canvas Free for Teacher, and it was becoming clear that adopting a university-wide LMS was not far off.

Moving to an LMS “was inevitable,” said Patricia Bustos-Lagunda, Baliuag University President. “If we wanted to evolve as a university and be able to deliver instruction that’s very 21st century, we had to start adopting digitalisation of instructional and service delivery.”

As BU began evaluating different options, Canvas, then new to the Philippines, kept coming up in discussions. "We wanted to get the best," Bustos-Lagunda explained. 

BU took a distinctive approach to rolling out their new LMS. They instituted a pilot year where teachers and staff were encouraged to explore the platform and become familiar with it. This approach addressed a common challenge in the Philippine education sector: the need for gradual technology adoption to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.

The university also tapped teachers who were already familiar with Canvas from the Free Teacher version to become internal champions, helping others familiarise themselves with the LMS.

During that pilot year, Baliuag organised multiple training series for all different levels, including technical, administrative, faculty, and students, to get everyone up and running in the LMS.

“We provided everyone with training over and over until they got fed up with it,” laughed Kristel Marie G. Punzalan, Director, Center for Research and Development. “We call it pangungulit in the Philippines. But we had to play with the LMS to learn and give everyone time.”

The BU team has seen positive results across the board since bringing Canvas to campus. “After seven years, we are not experiencing the seven-year itch!” Domingo said.

“Canvas is transformative. It augmented the way we deliver learning and the way we collaborate with our students. They were used to just using Facebook. We can see the improvement now that they’re using Canvas messaging to collaborate with their instructors and each other. It’s transformed how we do things.”

Baliuag aligns course outcomes against students in Canvas, providing evidence that courses are achieving the intended learning outcomes for students.

“We can individualise the way we monitor students, so we know who hasn’t watched a video or who’s skipped a lesson,” Punzalan explained.

For students, Canvas has also become an integral part of their academic journey. “With Canvas, students know what particular course they need to finish or what coursework they need to do. They're assured everything is there in one place,” Punzalan said.

This centralization of resources has proven particularly valuable in the Philippine setting, where students often juggle multiple responsibilities and need flexible access to their coursework.

The tools embedded within Canvas are also proving invaluable, both in and out of the classroom. The analytics features enable BU’s staff to make decisions about how courses are going or whether instructors need additional support. The university is now using the calendar feature to keep students up to date on what’s happening all around campus, not just in individual classes.

Baliuag also enabled Smart Search, an AI-powered search that allows students to locate course materials in Canvas easily and quickly by using a keyword to search inside a course. Using other programs through the LMS is simple, too, Domingo said.

Since bringing on Canvas, the team at Baliuag have learnt a thing or two about successfully adopting an LMS. Their biggest piece of advice? Implementation can’t sit on the shoulders of one person.

“You have to select a strong, dedicated team who understand the importance of the use of the LMS, who understand the function in the university, and how they will be instrumental in making the project and implementation a success,” Domingo said.

“It starts with a qualified team who will really help the proponent of the project to achieve the mission. This will go a long way.”

Giving people time to adjust and play with the LMS is important too, Punzalan said. “You might not roll it out as quickly as you expected, but Canvas is very forgiving, so you can let people just try it at first, without making it an added task. Then you can integrate it gradually, until all your courses are aligned.”

Baliuag University's journey with Canvas LMS demonstrates how Philippine institutions can successfully embrace digital learning. By addressing local challenges while aligning with global standards, BU has created a model for 21st-century education in the Philippines.

As the country's higher education landscape continues evolving, Canvas provides the flexibility, robustness, and innovation needed for Baliuag to develop with it.

BU's experience shows that with the right approach and tools, it's possible to transform education, improve resilience, and prepare students for a global future, all while honoring the unique needs and contexts of Philippine education.

1. Form a strong, dedicated implementation team
2. Allow time for gradual adoption and experimentation
3. Provide continuous training and support
4. Leverage the LMS to address local challenges like weather disruptions
5. Use the platform to enhance global competitiveness while meeting local educational standards