When creating a new announcement in a blueprint course, an Enable New Item Notifications checkbox is available. This update ensures that users are promptly notified of new announcements in a blueprint course. It also helps improve communication and ensures important updates are not missed, enhancing overall course management and engagement.

Note: This checkbox is disabled by default and students must have announcement notifications enabled.

When creating a graded discussion, instructors can set multiple due dates or checkpoints to accommodate different stages of the discussion process, such as the initial post and follow-up replies. Additionally, checkpoint discussions are supported in all migration related workflows which include the following: Course Copy, Copy To, Course Send To, Blueprint Course, Importing/exporting course.

This feature allows for more structured participation, ensuring learners meet deadlines for each required step in the discussion.

To create Discussion Checkpoints, instructors must select the Graded checkbox [1] and then the Assign graded checkpoints checkbox [2] when creating or editing a discussion.

Notes: Graded Checkpoints can be added to existing graded Discussions. Additionally, the Assign graded checkpoints checkbox is disabled by default.

Instructors must include the possible points for the initial reply to topic [1], the number of additional replies required [2] and the possible points for additional replies [3]. All points are calculated automatically and listed as the Total Points Possible [4].

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-11-16)

Feature Video

While a New Quiz attempt is ongoing, instructors can moderate a quiz and extend the time allotted for the quiz. This feature allows instructors to accommodate students who may need extra time due to various circumstances by providing additional time during an active quiz session. Previously, there was a pencil icon. Now, you can click on the Student name and add time while the quiz is in progress

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-10-19)

On the Moderate page, the course-level accommodation modal is linked to the student’s name. You can set accommodations for students for all course assessments here.

In the New Quizzes Settings, instructors can select the timing and visibility of feedback and correct answers for students.

This feature helps instructors enhance learning by timing feedback to reinforce understanding, encourage independent learning, and prevent cheating. It also allows for better alignment with review sessions and ensures fairness by standardizing the feedback process for all students.

When the Hide results from students setting is enabled, instructors have the option to selectively display some or all of the following: Show Questions [1], Show Points Possible [2], and Show Points Awarded [3].

When the Show Questions option is enabled, instructors have the options to Show Student responses [1] and Show feedback [2].

When the Show student responses option is enabled, instructors can choose when results are displayed after a specific attempt [1] and set specific Show on [2] and Hide on [3] dates and times. Additionally, they can display correct and incorrect responses using the Indicate response as correct or incorrect option, and decide whether to show the correct answer [4], either immediately or only after the student’s final attempt [6]. These settings can also be configured to Show on [7] or Hide on [8] particular dates.

Feature Video

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-10-19)

The edit button has been added to the kebab menu on the Discussions Index page, allowing users to quickly navigate directly to the edit page.

On the Discussions page, click on the kebab menu. Then click the Edit link.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-10-23)

In SpeedGrader, instructors can utilize certain Rich Content Editor features when drafting a comment.

This change allows instructors to provide more detailed and formatted feedback to students by emphasizing key points, organizing information clearly, and including external resources directly in their comments. This enhanced feedback improves communication, making it easier for students to understand the feedback and take action on it.

To continue editing a comment draft, click the Edit icon [1]. The saved content will then be reloaded into the RCE for further editing [2].

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-09-11).

The Equation Editor function has been added to the Rich Content Editor in SpeedGrader. This feature enables instructors to incorporate math equations into their comments on assignments.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-09-25).

In Discussions, instructors can disallow threaded replies. This update enables instructors to restrict threaded replies, a feature that was available in legacy discussions.

There have been some issues since this was deployed on 8/14, as the update caused some discussions to have the ‘Disallow Threaded Replies’ setting checked by default when it should not have been. To address this issue, Instructure’s Product and Engineering teams will be adding a temporary option at the course level to bulk update all discussions in course to allow threaded replies. This button will be available on Monday, 9/16 in the Discussions page in courses that contain at least one discussion affected by this issue. Please read this blog post for full details: Temporary button to uncheck the Disallow Threaded Replies option in all Discussions.

SEE DETAILS ON THIS COURSE LEVEL BUTTON Below:

• This option will be available in the UI starting 9/16 through the end of October.
• The self-service button will only be visible in courses that still contain at least one discussion affected by the issue. If your discussions have already been manually updated, modified via API, or resolved through support, you will not see the button. Once the button is used and the update process is successfully completed, the notification will no longer appear in that course.
• If you dismiss the alert but later decide to proceed with the update, you can either clear your browser cache or access Canvas from a different browser or device to view this option.
• Please check out the blog post for a video that outlines the user workflow for this button

When using the Create and Edit pages for Assignments, Discussions, Pages and Quizzes, the Assign Access interface displays by default. To differentiate student or section access, click the Add Assign To button.

This update streamlines instructor workflow and improves the ability to differentiate instruction of assignments and discussions.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-08-29).

In the Message Students Who Total Grade modal, the Cutoff Value field [1] is moved and a header is added. Additionally, a message displays that states This is based on values seen in this grade book. Additionally, a message stating that values seen by the instructor, may differ from the values student’s view displays. [2].

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-03).

The “Assign To” interface in Canvas has been updated to make it easier to use. The Assign To box is no longer visible when editing an assignment, but a “Manage Assign To” link button has been added. Clicking this button opens a tray on the right that reveals the Assign To panel. The panel has been redesigned with separate date and time selectors, each date on its own line, and everything resized to be readable.

Instructors can now assign Pages to students and set availability dates. This update streamlines instructor workflow and improves the ability to differentiate instruction. Note: Pages cannot be assigned due dates.

When viewing an assignment or graded discussion, instructors can use the Assign To button to quickly manage due dates and availability dates.

The functionality of Assign To remains the same:

• The Due Date is what appears on the student “to do” lists and calendar, and any submissions after this time are marked as late.
• The Available From date is when the assignment opens and begins accepting submissions. Before this date, the students only see the general details (title, point value, and dates) of the assignment; they can not see the full prompt and cannot yet submit.
• The Until date is when the assignment closes. Students cannot submit after this time.
• Each Assign To box (which defaults to “everyone”) shows who that set of dates applies to. “Everyone” changes to “Everyone Else” once you add any exceptions with the +Add button. You can differentiate due dates by sections in cross-listed courses. If you remove “Everyone”/”Everyone Else” from the list, only those students explicitly listed will have the assignment available.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20).

On the Modules page, instructors can assign students to an entire module and individual module items from the Modules page. Additionally, the Add Module and Edit Module Settings pages are redesigned as trays.

Notes:

• If a student is assigned only a specific item within a module and not the entire module, they will see only that item in the feature area, such as an assignment on the assignment page, and not the rest of the module.
• If a student is assigned an entire module, but only specific items within that module, students can only view the items they are assigned.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20).

In SpeedGrader, after drafting a comment and moving on to another student, a Draft pill displays indicating that the comment has not been submitted. This update enhances the user experience by clearly indicating when a comment has not yet been submitted.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20).

The Discussion/Announcement Redesign feature option has now been enforced for all Canvas institutions. This change provides users with the most engaging, user-friendly, and efficient discussion and announcement interface.

For additional information, see the Discussion Redesign and Announcement Redesign guides.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20).

When launching the YouTube app to select content for the first time on a device, users should read the YouTube Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Then, select the I have read and agree checkbox [1] and click the Accept button [2] to use the app.

Note: Once the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy are accepted, the agreement is saved on the device and will not display again. This update complies with Google’s terms for using a YouTube API.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20).

The Lucid Edu suite integration offers real-time collaboration tools to enhance interactions among users.

In the Course Navigation, click the Lucid link to access the integration.

Review details on setting up or linking Lucid accounts in Canvas here.

Additional Resources

• Getting Start with the Canvas and Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite
  • Lucid FAQ
  • Lucid Help Center
• Instructor Resources Guide
  • How do I create a Lucid assignment? (Video)
  • How do I set up the Lucid Education Suite in my course as in instructor?
  • How do I embed a Lucid document in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor? (Video)
  • Webinar Registration
• Student Resources Guide
  • How do I submit a Lucid document for a Lucid assignment?
  • How do I embed a Lucid document in the Rich Content Editor as a Student?
  • How do I set up the Lucid Education Suite in my course as a Student?

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-06-15).

The Studio screen capture and captioning features for media comments is now available in SpeedGrader. This update enhances the clarity of instructor feedback and improves accessibility by providing a streamlined user experience.

Note: Closed captions may not be generated instantaneously and may require some time to process and appear.

The recorder is only available in Chrome and Edge. Currently, there are no plans to introduce support for Firefox and Safari in the recorder. The Studio recorder for playback will be introduced in a future release

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2024-06-15).