Canvas Credentials is a powerful tool designed to empower learners by validating their skills and achievements. Whether you're an educator, student, or professional seeking to showcase your expertise, Canvas Credentials offers both free and paid features to cater to different needs. Let's delve into the distinctions between the free and paid versions of Canvas Credentials.
Free Features of Canvas Credentials:
- **Credential Creation:** The free version allows users to create basic credentials by defining criteria and designing badges to acknowledge accomplishments. Users can customize the badges using templates but with limited design options.
- **Badge Issuance:** With the free version, users can issue badges to learners upon meeting specified criteria, such as completing a course or achieving a specific score using Module Requirements. These badges can be shared and displayed on social media or professional platforms. Bulk awards can be achieved using a CSV file, with a limitation of 50 badges.
- **Simple Analytics:** Basic analytics are available to track badge engagement, such as views and clicks, providing insights into the visibility and popularity of the issued badges.
- **Integration with a Learning Management System:** Seamless integration with the Canvas LMS and Blackboard LMS allows users to easily issue badges based on course completion or specific achievements within the platform. Other Learning Management Systems have access through the Pathways LTI app.
Paid Features of Canvas Credentials:
- ** Badge Metadata:** The paid version offers extensive customization options, allowing for more sophisticated badges tailored to match an organization's branding or individual preferences. Including incorporating Standards, additional details, assessment, and lightcast skills.
- **Credential Pathways and Stacking:** Paid features enable the creation of credential pathways, allowing users to define a series of badges that lead to a higher-level credential or certification. This stacking of credentials provides a structured learning journey.
- **Manually Award Badges:** Create claim codes that allow admins to share a URL link to the user or download a QR code for quick scanning. Claim codes can include an expiration date to have further control of when users can earn their badges. **Admins can use the Bulk Awards feature - this allows for unlimited awards using a CSV file within your Credentials account.
- **Comprehensive Analytics:** Advanced analytics provide detailed insights into badge engagement, learner progress, and the effectiveness of credential programs. Users gain access to data on learner behaviors, allowing for informed decision-making and program improvement.
- **API Access and Third-Party Integrations:** The paid version offers API access, facilitating seamless integration with third-party applications and systems. This allows for enhanced automation, workflow customization, and scalability.
- **Priority Support and Training:** Subscribers to the paid version receive priority support and access to training resources, ensuring efficient use of the platform and assistance when needed.
- **Deployment Preferences:** Institutions using Canvas LMS when integrating their Credentials account into their instance, can set organizational permissions. Allow instructors to use their personal issuers and/or create and modify badges. This can determine if you allow instructors to connect and issue badges through their personal issuers or have access to change badges created at the organizational level.
In summary, while the free version of Canvas Credentials provides essential functionalities for badge creation and issuance, the paid version offers a more comprehensive suite of features. Advanced customization, analytics, credential pathways, and integration options are among the benefits that cater to the diverse needs of organizations and individuals aiming for a more robust credentialing experience.
Choosing between the free and paid versions of Canvas Credentials depends on the specific requirements, scale, and desired level of customization and analytics needed to meet your credentialing goals. The paid features unlock a wealth of opportunities to enhance credentialing programs, making it a valuable investment for those seeking a more tailored and comprehensive credentialing experience.
Learn more about the comparison within the Comparing Canvas Badges Basic and Canvas Credentials Community Guide.
Contact your Customer Success Manager to hear more about our consulting and training services if you need more assistance building a successful Credentialing program.
