Instructure CEO Steve Daly on Canvas LMS and the Future of EdTech
Sep 24, 2024
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Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure and former mechanical engineer, discusses his unique journey into education technology. He highlights the shift towards flexible education pathways that recognize diverse skills over traditional degrees. Daly delves into the promise of AI in reducing administrative burdens while emphasizing the necessity of human interaction. He also shares insights on how technology is reshaping workforce readiness and the importance of personalized learning experiences. Finally, he offers valuable career advice drawn from his extensive experience in the tech industry.
The educational landscape is evolving towards flexible, skills-based pathways, acknowledging achievements beyond traditional degree frameworks.
AI's role in education is initially centered on enhancing administrative efficiency for teachers while maintaining essential human interaction.
Deep dives
The Journey to Leadership in EdTech
Steve Daley's career path illustrates the unpredictable journey many professionals face, characterized by multiple changes in direction and fields of study. Initially pursuing various majors—from pre-med to computer science—he eventually settled on a degree in mechanical engineering, only to shift to education later in life. His extensive experience at Intel and several startups equipped him with a diverse skill set, leading to opportunities with emerging tech companies. Daley's journey underscores the importance of adaptability and seizing opportunities as they arise, ultimately culminating in his role as CEO of Instructure.
The Evolution and Impact of Canvas
Canvas, a leading learning management system developed by Instructure, is designed to support both educators and students in organizing the learning experience effectively. It facilitates coursework management, assignment submissions, and interaction between teachers and students, making it a versatile tool for higher education and beyond. With around half of U.S. higher education students using Canvas and its presence extending into K-12 education and international markets, the platform has become integral to modern educational practices. Daley emphasizes that the flexibility offered by Canvas aligns with today’s learning preferences, adapting to the evolving pathways students pursue.
The Future of Education and Technology Integration
The landscape of education is shifting as recognition grows regarding the need for skills-based and flexible learning pathways rather than traditional degree-only approaches. There is a significant population of learners with incomplete college credits who require systems that acknowledge their progress and achievements throughout their educational journey. Instructure’s focus on integrating AI and partner technologies aims to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and provide immediate benefits, such as improved translation services for multilingual classrooms. Daley believes this transformation is essential for the future of higher education and emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to meet the changing demands of learners.
In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure, at the HolonIQ Back to School Summit in New York. Steve shares his journey from mechanical engineering to leading the company behind Canvas, the leading learning management system (LMS). We explore the changing landscape of education, the role of technology in learning, and the potential impact of AI on the future of edtech.
Key takeaways:
The educational journey is becoming more flexible, with a growing need for diverse pathways and recognition of skills beyond traditional degrees.
AI in education shows promise, but its immediate impact may be more focused on simplifying administrative tasks for teachers rather than replacing human interaction.
Career success often comes from pursuing opportunities that bring energy and passion, rather than following a predetermined path.
Steve describes Instructure's approach to integrating AI securely, the importance of personalization in learning, and the role the company's strategic partnerships play in its strategic development. Steve also offers valuable career advice based on his extensive experience in the tech industry.