Canvas Version?

[jkushner0]

How do I determine what version of Canvas I am using?

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hi  @jkushner0 ...

Canvas does not have a "version".  If your school has a paid account with Instructure, all of your school's Canvas environment lives on the cloud.  Instructure regularly updates their platform, and they publish Release Notes every month here in the Community for us to review and provide feedback on.  Release Notes

I hope this helps, Jeff.  Please let Community members know if you have any questions...thanks!

[stevenmh]

Regardless of what you call it, Canvas changes over time, and that is tracked with numbers.

I am using a third party application called Packback, and it has different instructions for different Canvas ... implementations(?) How do I know if I am using Canvas *1.3* in particular?

[chriscas]

Hi @stevenmh,

What you're referring to here is actually different versions of the global specification for learning tools (like Packback) to integrate/communicate with learning management systems (like Canvas).  This specification is maintained by 1EdTech, and is called Learning Tools Interoperability.  There have been a few different versions of this specification over the years, but the currently supported version is 1.3.  Canvas does also support older versions, but they are considered deprecated and as a Canvas admin myself, I will no longer install tools using he older versions of the standard.

You'll likely need to talk to your local Canvas admin (usually in the eLearning / IT / Digital Education) areas to find out about the process for installing these sort of tools at your school/institution.  The technical side of things is pretty easy, but does require admin access for LTI 1.3 tools.  The procedural side is where things can get trickier depending on what your school requires (checks for data security, accessibility standards, financials, etc).

Hope this helps!

-Chris

[scottdennis]

Hello Jeff,

Just following up here...  Could you tell us more about the issue you are experiencing?

[stevenmh]

Regardless of what you call it, Canvas changes over time, and that is tracked with numbers. My university has used Canvas with different numbers appended to the name "Canvas".

I am using a third party application called Packback, and it has different instructions for different Canvas ... implementations(?) How do I know if I am using Canvas *1.3* in particular?