Instructure Partners with Video Learning Company Zaption To Create Interactive Video Lessons and the Next Generation of MOOCs

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Jun 04, 2015, 10:00 ET

SALT LAKE CITY, June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company and creator of the Canvas learning management system (LMS), today announced a certified partnership with Zaption, a leading video learning company. Through the partnership, learners will experience Zaption's interactive video lessons in ten Canvas Network courses, including the recently announced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), "Fight or Die: The Science Behind FX's 'The Strain,'" beginning June 22.

"This partnership with Zaption makes it easy for teachers to create engaging content for students and post the content to Canvas," said Melissa Loble, vice president of Partners and Programs at Instructure. "We expect many participants in 'The Strain' MOOC will have never taken an online course before, but because of this partnership with Zaption, they will be able to interact with highly engaging video-based content that will enrich the learning experience."

As part of the Canvas experience, Zaption provides new, engaging ways for students to interact with video content -- from answering questions to receiving feedback while watching. For educators, Zaption's advanced analytics provide immediate feedback on students' engagement and their understanding of key concepts.

"Zaption is thrilled to partner with Instructure to transform video lessons from a passive, 'lean back' experience to an active, 'lean forward' activity," said Chris Walsh, CEO of Zaption. "The integration between Canvas and Zaption provides a richer and more meaningful experience for students and teachers, and a glimpse into the next generation of MOOCs."

"The Strain" returns to FX with season two premiere on July 12. It depicts a city in the chaos of a rapidly spreading disease epidemic, coupled with a devastating cyber-virus attack. Fight Or Die: The Science Behind FX's "The Strain" will explore the real-world science behind virus and parasite biology, cyber security and epidemiological modeling. The MOOC is divided into three tracks: parasitic invasions, disease dynamics and cyber attacks, and is taught by three University of California, Irvine professors, Pavan Kadandale, Sarah Eichorn and Hadav Ziv.

In addition to the integration with "The Strain" MOOC, Zaption video lessons will be offered in more than ten courses on Canvas Network. As a certified partner, Zaption provides technical integrations for the Canvas LMS that have been formally reviewed and certified by Instructure. These integrations empower educational institutions to offer faculty, teachers and students a seamless edtech ecosystem and are available to Canvas LMS clients via www.eduappcenter.com.

About Zaption

San Francisco-based Zaption is a leading video learning company founded in 2012 by father-son team Jim and Charlie Stigler. Charlie was one of Peter Thiel's "20 Under 20" fellows who left the computer science program at Columbia University to start Zaption. Jim Stigler is an accomplished professor, researcher, author and entrepreneur whose previous video learning company, LessonLab, was acquired by Pearson. In 2013, Chris Walsh joined as CEO, bringing a wealth of experience as a K12 educator, web & media producer, and entrepreneur. Prior to Zaption, Chris was a leader at New Tech Network, co-founded edtech startup Brightstorm and launched the Google Teacher Academy. Zaption was also recently named winner of the 2015 SXSW LAUNCHedu competition and recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Video in 2015 by Fast Company.

About Instructure

Instructure, Inc. is the software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that makes smart software that makes people smarter. Its cloud-based Canvas learning management system (LMS) now connects more than 18 million teachers and learners at more than 1,200 higher ed and K-12 institutions throughout the world. Because learning doesn't end after graduation, Instructure also offers Bridge, the modern learning and engagement platform that enables organizations of every kind to engage with employees by measuring and improving employee sentiment, alignment and knowledge in real time. Learn more at www.instructure.com.

Contacts:

Devin Knighton, Director of Public Relations at Instructure
(801) 722-8187 | [email protected]
Twitter: @devinknighton | www.instructure.com

Jessica Hutchison, Method Communications
(801) 461-9779 | [email protected]

Copyright © 2015, Instructure, Inc. All rights reserved. Instructure, Canvas and the Bridge logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Instructure, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brands and names may be claimed as the property of others.

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SOURCE Instructure