Embracing Change and Canvas Mastery with the Canvas Queen

In a recent episode of the InstructureCast podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible Lauren Burlison, affectionately known as the Canvas Queen, and her passion for teaching and Canvas is absolutely contagious. Solo hosting for the day, Melissa Loble was clearly thrilled about the incredible guest she had lined up. As she put it, "I have an incredible guest and so I'm really excited to dig in with her and learn more about what she's doing and how she's contributing to the Canvas community."

Lauren, the Canvas Queen herself, shared her inspiring journey into education, teaching, and Canvas mastery. She took us back to her humble beginnings as a Science Department of one in a private school in Nevada. Facing the challenge of managing multiple grade levels and subjects, she discovered Canvas, which became her lifesaver. "Canvas has a free account for teachers. Why don't you try that?" advised her dad, who was in higher education. And just like that, her Canvas journey began.

One of the most captivating moments Lauren shared was how she adapted her beloved egg drop project during the pandemic. Through creative live sessions and multiple cameras, she engaged her students and parents, turning a challenging situation into a memorable experience.

Lauren's journey as the Canvas Queen wasn't something she had planned. It all started with her colleagues seeking help with Canvas during the pandemic. They nicknamed her the Canvas Queen, and it stuck. Lauren's approach to helping teachers navigate Canvas is rooted in validation and empowerment. She acknowledges the challenges of change and guides educators in embracing Canvas step by step.

For beginners, Lauren's advice is to start with the basics, focusing on modules and assignments before diving into the intricacies of homepage design. As she wisely puts it, "If you do create an engaging, visually engaging course, your students are going to have a better learning experience."

What makes Lauren's approach even more fascinating is her love for the HTML editor. It opened up a whole new world for her, leading her to explore the intricacies of coding. As she admitted, "The HTML editor is one of my... This is gonna sound so nerdy. But it's my best friend."

As for the future, Lauren is genuinely excited about the possibilities offered by generative AI and artificial intelligence in the world of education. She shared, "I look forward to seeing what AI is capable of, especially in K-12 education moving forward."

Wrapping up the episode, Melissa expressed her admiration for Lauren's ability to balance her teaching, Canvas Queen responsibilities, and personal life. Lauren's organized chaos approach resonated with many, reminding us all that it's okay to take things one day at a time.

In conclusion, this episode of Instructure Cast was not just about Canvas expertise; it was about passion, resilience, and the joy of learning. Lauren Burlison, the Canvas Queen, exemplifies the spirit of educators who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of their students and colleagues. As we eagerly anticipate the future of education, let's take a page out of Lauren's book and embrace change with open minds and a dash of enthusiasm.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lauren for sharing her story and empowering educators worldwide. As you venture into your own Canvas LMS journey, remember the Canvas Queen's words: start with the basics, embrace creativity, and above all, nurture a genuine love for teaching and learning.

Listen to the full InstructureCast episode Getting to Know the Canvas Queen. Or, you can find Lauren on YouTube or Instagram.