Integrating Canvas and GitLab to Enrich Learning Processes

Version Control Systems (VCS) are increasingly used for software education. However they are often used independently of general-purpose Learning Management Systems (LMS), leading to poor user experiences and data fragmentation. This paper presents a high level programming framework that integrates the Canvas LMS and the GitLab VCS. Eight use case applications are implemented with it, motivated by related work, educator and student surveys we conducted, and our early experience of using GitLab for software education. The framework semi-automates feedback loops, improves the overall user experience for students and educators and reduces administrative time - saving educators up to 16.7 hours in a 12 week semester. The components of our framework are open source for learning technologists to develop their own use cases.