Notre Dame uses the Canvas learning management system (LMS) as its online platform for instructors to provide learning materials and activities that supplement face-to-face, blended, or fully online academic courses. That means when Notre Dame students go to access their course materials online, it’s highly likely their instructor is sharing them through Canvas.
The Canvas Legends Awards place the spotlight on faculty turning that seemingly routine task into an art.
“We really want to recognize individuals and departments who are going above and beyond to incorporate that secret sauce that makes for a truly great course presentation in Canvas,” said Steve Varela, director of the Office of Information Technology’s Teaching & Learning Technologies (TLT) team, which sponsors the awards. “And the best way to find Canvas Legends is to ask the students because they’re the ones accessing these courses every day.”
Exceptional use of Canvas and/or its integrated tools can take any number of forms, and students are invited to submit nominations for reasons such as:
- Resources are well-organized.
- It’s easy to find what to do and when it’s due without searching.
- The instructor uses Canvas to communicate frequently, give timely feedback on assignments, and/or otherwise keep students engaged with the course.
- The course, simply put, looks amazing.
From the nominations received, the TLT team selects up to five Canvas Legends. Among other honors, recipients are celebrated at a campus recognition event and given a digital badge to share via social media or post on a website.
2024–25 Canvas Legends
The TLT team is pleased to announce that the 2024–25 Canvas Legends are:
Andrew Bartolini
Director, First-Year Engineering Program
From the Students: “Uses rubrics extensively, has all required information and documents linked in every assignment, planned his course in a way where information can be found in all the places a student might look for, does EVERYTHING on Canvas (not relying on other platforms and confusing students).”
Tarryn Li-Min Chun
Assistant Professor, Department of Film, Television, and Theatre
From the Students: “I am never confused about what is due when, and everything is incredibly clear and well thought out. If she says she will adjust something on the syllabus, it’s adjusted in Canvas, too. If she announces something in class that’s important, it ends up in announcements on Canvas, too. Consistent, accurate, reliable, clear. A true Canvas Legend.”
Susan del Valle
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
From the Students: “Everything is easily accessible and clear. My professor keeps up with announcements, assignments, grades, feedback, practice problems, files, etc., and does a fantastic job with all of it. There is a lot of material on the Canvas page, but it is still the most navigable page out of all my classes.”
Whitney Lew James
Assistant Teaching Professor, University Writing Program
From the Students: “The Canvas Accessibility Guide you provide us is so helpful and thoughtful.”
“Exceptional efforts in accessibility to deliver course content.”
Shawn Miller
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
From the Students: “I mean, just look at it. It is absolutely flawless. There are three different documents you can access to see lists of practice problems, all color-coded and very organized. This man genuinely deserves whatever award this is for. Just take a look—I have never been lost on this Canvas page before.”
In addition to the five individual faculty members, the TLT recognizes two campus units as Canvas Legends:
McGrath Institute for Church Life – For dedication and commitment to leveraging Canvas ExpaND to enhance professional and continuing education. The quality provided through instructional design, program management, and exemplary use of Canvas tools truly makes a difference.
Online Master’s in Data Science – For dedication and commitment to creating a cohesive, well-structured learning environment across the program’s Canvas courses. Consistent attention to design elements, navigational structure, and quality assurance processes sets a standard of excellence that enhances the student experience. Distinctive branding within Canvas creates a unified and professional learning environment that students can navigate with confidence and clarity.
This marked the second year of the Canvas Legends Awards. The 2023–24 winners were Trenton Agrelius (Biological Sciences), Maria Holland (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering), Kathryn Mulholland (Mathematics), Jason Reed (Finance), and Katherine Walden (American Studies).
Housed in the OIT and working hand-in-hand with Notre Dame Learning, the TLT team specializes in a range of areas related to teaching with technology, including learning management systems, academic software, learning spaces, learning analytics, and emerging technologies.