OneSchool Global, a global network with more than 120 schools in 20 countries, has pioneered a modern approach to teacher professional development (PD). To create a unified experience for both teachers and students across their global campuses, OneSchool has embedded the use of Canvas and Credentials into their PD framework.
Their goal: provide teachers with the skills they need to succeed in both the classroom and digital environments, fostering consistent pedagogical approaches worldwide.
Jeff Lloyd (@JeffLloyd), Global Teacher Academy Director, at OneSchool Global, outlined an 8-step strategy designed to elevate teacher expertise while navigating unique challenges posed by diverse global education standards and varying time zones.
"It doesn't matter if you're a single campus school or a large, complex organisation like ours, these things apply if you want to learn how to really simply walk through using Canvas and using Credentials."
The Challenge
Operating across multiple countries and regions, OneSchool Global faced the challenge of maintaining a consistent teaching framework. They needed a PD system that could align the experiences of teachers from Sydney to Paris to New York and beyond.
More than that, teachers had to be equipped with the right digital tools and pedagogical skills to manage hybrid learning environments, where instruction often blends synchronous lessons on Zoom with self-directed student work supported by Canvas.
“That creates great opportunities, but also great challenges to have a consistent pedagogy backed up throughout the world,” Lloyd said.
The Solution
Canvas as the Hub of the Digital Ecosystem
Central to OneSchool Global’s success is their commitment to Canvas as the core of their digital ecosystem. According to Lloyd, “If it doesn’t integrate into Canvas, we don’t use it.”
This clear focus has allowed them to streamline teacher onboarding and provide ongoing PD with an intuitive, automated structure. By integrating Canvas Credentials, they have introduced a pathway of badges and credentials to mark teacher progress, creating a self-paced, scaffolded learning journey for educators.
“It all leads to our end goal, which is well-equipped teachers; and teachers who know what they're doing, are confident with the tools, confident with their understanding of how the pedagogy works. And of course, to support the student goal which, in the end, is to kick learning goals.”
The 8-step professional learning pathway
1. Map out the professional learning path
Every new teacher at OneSchool Global begins with a comprehensive, year-long induction program. This includes foundational topics like the school’s values, learning framework, digital ecosystem, and how to effectively use Canvas and Zoom. Importantly, teachers also learn about OneSchool's unique pedagogical approaches, which mix direct teacher-led instruction with self-directed student inquiry.
2. Create badges for each step
OneSchool's PD program uses Canvas Credentials to award badges at key milestones. These badges are not just aesthetic markers; they articulate clear criteria for achievement and signal the mastery of essential skills.
3. Design learning pathways
The badges are then carefully sequenced into learning pathways, guiding teachers through their PD journey. Each pathway maps out the specific skills and competencies teachers need, from basic digital tool use to advanced instructional design. The system is automated within Canvas, ensuring that teachers move smoothly through their development process.
“By mapping out badges attached to pathways, you can automate exactly how you want your teachers to move through the system,” Lloyd said.
4. Build the courses
OneSchool Global builds its PD courses directly in Canvas, allowing teachers to learn in the same environment they will use to teach students. This not only familiarises them with the platform but also models the teaching strategies they are expected to implement in their classrooms.
5. Edit module completion settings
Using Canvas’s module completion settings, OneSchool sets specific criteria for moving through each step of the PD process. Teachers might be required to complete an assignment, engage in a discussion, or achieve a certain score on a rubric. Module completion triggers the awarding of badges, ensuring progress is both measurable and meaningful.
6. Integrate Credentials and Badges in Canvas
Once badges and pathways are established, the next step is integrating them with the Canvas modules. OneSchool worked closely with Canvas support to streamline this integration, ensuring that badges are automatically awarded upon module completion.
7. Monitor teacher progress
OneSchool’s PD system allows administrators to monitor teacher progress in real-time. They can track how many courses are in progress or completed and even download data on badge achievements to be exported into a Power BI dashboard. This real-time insight enables OneSchool to ensure that teachers are on track and to intervene with additional support if needed.
8. Review common issues and use Canvas support
Throughout the development of their PD system, OneSchool encountered several challenges, such as distinguishing between badges and pathways or automating the manual marking process. By leaning on Canvas’s robust support, OneSchool was able to overcome these obstacles and refine their system. Continuous review and improvement remain a core focus as they look ahead to the future.
Central to us is Canvas. It really is the hub of our digital ecosystem.
Basically, if it doesn't integrate into Canvas, we don't use it.
Jeff Lloyd,
Global Teacher Academy Director, OneSchool Global.
Next Steps & Outcome
OneSchool Global’s next phase involves integrating Canvas Catalog to manage the PD enrolment process more effectively. As they continue to refine and expand their PD pathways, OneSchool’s innovative approach to teacher development sets a benchmark for global education networks.
By leveraging Canvas and Canvas Credentials, OneSchool Global has built a scalable, automated, and highly effective PD program. Teachers across the globe are now equipped with the skills they need to succeed in a hybrid learning environment, ensuring that OneSchool’s students, no matter where they are, receive the same high-quality education.
Key benefits of OneSchool Global’s approach
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Consistency across global campuses: Canvas provides a unified PD experience, ensuring consistent teaching methods across regions.
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Practical hands-on Training: Training within Canvas allows teachers to practise using the tools they’ll apply in the classroom.
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Efficient monitoring and support: Real-time data enables administrators to proactively track teachers’ progress and offer support where needed.
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Scalability: The PD framework is scalable across a global network, making it suitable for diverse educational contexts and time zones.
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Automated, self-paced learning: Teachers progress at their own pace through automated pathways, fostering independent, self-directed development.
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Clear progress indicators: Badges and credentials offer clear markers of skill development and achievement.
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Adaptable for hybrid learning: The system equips teachers with both digital and pedagogical skills necessary for hybrid teaching environments.
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Continuous improvement: Ongoing refinement and system review ensure the PD program remains effective and relevant.
OneSchool Global
