Field Directors

Good Morning from Texas,

We're currently using Sonia for our field software program, but we're looking ahead as our contract expires in the Spring of 2027. We heard recently through the grapevine that some social work programs are utilizing their LMS system to manage field documents (Canvas, to be specific). We were hoping that someone here has the experience of using Canvas for tracking and managing field documents and would be willing to discuss the pros/cons.

We're finding, like many others, that Sonia is not always user friendly (especially for us administrators) and the cost is somewhat prohibitive as we're a very tiny program. We would also be willing to consider alternative field software programs. I know that Experiential Learning Cloud (previously known as Tevera) has come under the Lumivero umbrella, but was not sure if we should be considering other options.

I would also love to talk with anyone that doesn't use a field software program at all - we would be very curious if we can create our own system that would meet our needs.

Thank you, and wishing everyone a great end to their semester.

Meg DeJong-Shier

Our program has been using Sonia for almost 10 years and have recently been in conversations about the potential switch to ELC (formerly Tevera). I would love to connect with folks who have been using ELC to learn about their experiences (both positive and negative). Please reach out to me if you'd be willing to connect for a brief chat! You can reach me at acampb56@msudenver.edu or 303.615.1835. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration!

In community,

Amanda

We are small-medium sized program that does not have any software implemented yet (we're actually contracted with IPT right now, in development). We have the documents in Word and the students upload completed items into their Canvas classrooms. This is convenient for grading purposes (we use a point system for the required documentation) but can be a big hassle for the supervisors to sign off. Plus I'm really hoping that having agency profiles in IPT will help me manage the sites and availability of placements. We recently started our MSW program (we've had a BSW program for many years) and in our upcoming second year we've already more than doubled the number of students. 

In other words, I've found Canvas to be kind of limiting. 

Angie

Angela,

That's what I was concerned about, how to get supervisors to sign off on the learning agreements and evaluations.  Thank you for your feedback.

Angela, thanks for this response (and Meg, thanks for starting the conversation!). We don't currently use placement software for our BSW or MSW students, other than a few one-off uses of existing software that was set up for other purposes. However, our university is in talks with Canvas as we consider switching away from D2L for general LMS use. I hadn't thought about this also being an opportunity to incorporate our placement tracking and logistics into LMS until this thread. 

Since we have a demo and Q&A with Canvas a week from today, I'm wondering if there are any questions you would suggest I ask, to dig a little more deeply into whether there are features within their system to make it feasible as field placement management management system. If others are considering this and have a question you'd like me to ask, I'm happy to do that. 

Good morning! Our university has been using Tevera/ELC since 2019 and we are very dissatisfied with it. I am happy to have conversations with anyone who might be interested. Our program is currently looking at platforms like CORE/PeopleGrove, InPlace, IPT, and Exxat. Our university just transitioned from Blackboard to Brightspace (D2L), and we have been very happy with this transition so far. I'll look into this as an option as well. 

We are also very dissatisfied with ELC. We are looking at FieldX and Exxat Prism at this time.  Exxat feels almost like it is TOO much for our needs.,  FieldX looks promising.  We had a demo with both and both have way more ease of use and MUCH better customer service as far as I can tell.  Is anyone else using either of those platforms?

I totally suggest setting up a demo with them. It is easier to SEE it than for me to explain it.  We have not transitioned yet.  Hopefully someone here has and can answer this better :) 

Original Message:
Sent: Sep 10, 2026 15:24
From: Katharina Werner
Subject: Using LMS instead of Field Software

That is concerning to hear as we are currently transitioning from Sonia to ELC.

 

I would be curious to hear more specific examples about the ELC concerns. It sounds like lack of real person support is a leading one – how about ability to get paperwork done smoothly, communicate with students and sites, run data reports? I was always under the impression that ELC (formerly Tevera) was one of the leading placement softwares and was quite user friendly – is that not the case then?

 

How does Exxat differ from ELC specifically?

 

Best

KAT

 

Kat Werner, LCSW (she/her)

Director of Field Education/

Clinical Associate Professor

School of Social Work

 

Rankin Hall 023 | Missoula, Montana

t: (406) 243-5589 | e: katharina.werner@umontana.edu

 

U N I V E R S I T Y  O F  M O N T A N A

"To change everything, start anywhere"

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 9/8/2026 9:14:00 PM
From: Kimberly Lehner
Subject: RE: Using LMS instead of Field Software

Yes, we just onboarded with Exxat. We have had a great experience so far. I agree there are some areas that we will not use right away, but so far, the support has been great. We are finishing up a few cohorts in Sonia until the end of the year and started this Fall with Exxat. 

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Kim Lehner Clinical Assist Professor of Social Work & MSW/BSW Field Edu, Prog Dir North Fresno Campus 559-302-4140 kimberly.lehner@fresno.edu fpu.edu

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Original Message:
Sent: 9/8/2026 8:28:00 PM
From: Tracey Eason
Subject: RE: Using LMS instead of Field Software

We are also very dissatisfied with ELC. We are looking at FieldX and Exxat Prism at this time.  Exxat feels almost like it is TOO much for our needs.,  FieldX looks promising.  We had a demo with both and both have way more ease of use and MUCH better customer service as far as I can tell.  Is anyone else using either of those platforms?

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Tracey Eason
Practicum Coordinator
University of Alaska, Anchorage
Anchorage AK
+1 (907) 795-8960
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