Canvas Release Notes (2022-11-19)
New Features
Account Calendar
Summary: Admin and Sub-account admins can create an account calendar with events and important dates that display for users. In Canvas Calendars, users have the option to subscribe to Account Calendars in the Other Calendars section.
Change Benefit: This update allows institutions to share important institution-wide dates with instructors and students.
Feature Workflow:
In Account Navigation, click Account Calendars.
To filter account calendars, enter the calendar name in the search bar [1] or click the Show All drop-down menu [2].
Select the Account calendars that users can add and view in the Other Calendars section of their Canvas Calendar.
Account Calendar Visibility Apply Changes Button
When the Account Calendars are selected, click the Apply Changes button.
Other Calendars Add Icon
In the Canvas Calendar, to add an Account Calendar, click the Add icon.
Add Calendar Options
Select an Account Calendar [1], then click Save Changes [2].
Edit Event Account Calendar
To create a new event on an Account Calendar as an admin, click the Calendar drop-down menu and select the desired Account Calendar.
User Calendar Monthly View
Events display in the calendar for users that subscribe to the Account Calendar.
Additional Details: This feature is available for account and sub-accounts only and existing calendar events do not merge to an Account Calendar. Also, users are not automatically added to Account Calendars and must subscribe to the Account Calendars to view important dates. Additionally, Account Calendar events do not currently display in the Dashboard List View or the Canvas for Elementary Homeroom Schedule.
Feature Options
Pages
Schedule Page Publication Default Status Update [Feature Delayed as of 2022-11-18]
Summary: The Schedule Page Publication default status has been updated. Instructors can delay pages for publication on a specific date and time.
Change Benefit: This update allows instructors to prepare and schedule pages in advance to automatically publish in a course.
Feature Workflow:
When editing a page, select a Publish At date [1] and enter a Time [2].
Edit Page Save Button
Click Save.
Schedule Page to Publish Icon
In Modules and Pages, instructors can view when a page is scheduled to publish.
Additional Details
Previously, this feature option was disabled by default. Additionally, scheduled pages remain invisible to students until the publish date and time.
This feature was originally introduced in the Canvas Release Notes (2022-10-15).
Other Updates
Speedgrader
Enforcement of Multi-File Submissions Display as Single Submission for Third-Party Tools Feature Option
Summary: The Allow Multiple File AGS Submissions Count as One Submission feature option has been enforced for all Canvas users. When using third-party tools to upload assignments, multiple files submitted together will display as a single submission in Speedgrader.
Change Benefit: This update allows instructors to view submissions with multiple files together in Speedgrader.
Feature Workflow:
Multiple files submitted together display as a single submission in Speedgrader.
Additional Details: Previously, when using third-party tools to submit assignments, each file displayed as a separate submission. Additionally, this feature requires LTI version 1.3.
Note: This update changes how third-party tools plug into and receive information from Canvas. Additionally, third-party tools are not automatically updated to take advantage of new features and capabilities offered.
This feature was originally introduced in the Canvas Release Notes (2022-10-15).
Canvas Release Notes (2022-12-17)
2022-12-09
- Depreciation of Unsplash Images within Canvas LMS
For more information, please see Unsplash Images Changes blog.
Updated Features
Grades
Student Feedback Visibility Update
Summary: In the Grades page, placement for grade distribution, rubrics, and comments have been updated for consistency. The score column displays the assignment score and total score in a single column. Additionally, students view an unread indicator (blue dot) on the feedback button when a new comment is added to an assignment or a rubric, and comments display in a pop-out comment tray.
Change Benefit: These updates improve the visibility of assignment scores and new feedback comments for students. Additionally, the updated comment display allows students to view the comments alongside a submission.
Feature Workflow:
In the Grades page, the score column has been updated to display the score and total score in a single column [1]. When a new comment is added to a rubric, an indicator (blue dot) displays on the rubric button [2]. Additionally, when a new comment is added to an assignment an indicator and the number of comments displays on the feedback button [3].
To view feedback, click the View Feedback button to display comments in a pop-out tray.
Additional Details: The unread indicator is removed after comments have been viewed.
Permissions
Manage Course Content Granularity
Summary: In the Permissions page, Manage Course Content- add / edit / delete group permission has been added to Course and Account Roles. Additionally, admin can manage the individual permissions separately within the group.
Change Benefit: This update provides more granularity for managing course content.
Feature Workflow:
To manage individual permissions within the group, the group can be expanded. Each granular permission that is enabled includes a check mark. Individual permissions for the group can be managed by selecting or deselecting the relevant permission.
To view a sidebar with details related to each granular permission, click the Manage Course Content link.
When the permission includes a mix of enabled and disabled permissions, the main permission status indicates the permission is partially enabled, using a half-filled green circle as the icon.
Additional Details: Previously this permission was an individual permission and known as Course Content-add / edit / delete. Individual permissions for a user role can be changed to the full enabled or disabled state at any time by changing the status for the main permission.
Feature Options
New Quizzes
Rich Content Editor in New Quizzes [Feature Delayed as of 2023-01-10]
Summary: The Rich Content Editor (RCE) is available in New Quizzes.
Change Benefit: This update provides instructors the ability to utilize the accessibility checker on questions and instructions, add media recordings within New Quizzes, and change the view between HTML editor and classic view for advanced users. Users can also access a math editor. Additionally, this update provides students with the ability to record audio and video within the RCE of a New Quiz.
Feature Workflow:
When building a New Quiz, instructors can use the Rich Content Editor.
When taking a New Quiz, students can use the Rich Content Editor.
Additional Details: This update completes phase one and phase two of the Rich Content Editor integration in New Quizzes. For more information on the Rich Content Editor integration, see the New Quizzes – Rich Content Editor (RCE) integration status and plans blog.
Blueprint Courses Support New Quiz Locking
Summary: Blueprint Course Quiz Locking disables editing of New Quizzes in associated courses.
Change Benefit: This update provides consistent quiz content across blueprint associated courses.
Feature Workflow:
A locked icon displays when a New Quiz from a blueprint course is locked for an associated course.
Allow Clearing Selection of Multiple Choice Question Answers
Summary: In the New Quizzes settings, instructors can enable Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) allowing students to clear multiple choice answers.
Change Benefit: This update provides instructors the option to allow students to clear a multiple choice answer in New Quizzes. Additionally, when enabled, it allows students to unselect answers for later review or leave the question unanswered.
Feature Workflow:
To allow the clearing of multiple choice selections, click the Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) toggle button.
When the Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) setting is enabled, a Clear my selection link displays for students.
Additional Details: If the Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) is disabled, the Clear My Selection link is unavailable and students are required to select a different answer.
Fill in the Blank with Multiple Word Bank Improvements
Summary: In New Quizzes, when building a Fill in the Blank question with multiple word bank choices, distractor words display in a separate section for instructors. Also, word choices can be used more than once when Allow Word Bank Choices to be Reused is selected and duplicate answer choices are graded correctly. Additionally, for students, Fill in the Blank questions with multiple word banks display all word bank choices in the answer blank drop-down menu.
Change Benefit: This update improves the Fill in the Blank multiple word bank answer option experience for students and instructors.
Feature Workflow:
Build a New Quiz Multiple Choice Word Bank View
When building a New Quiz with a Fill in the Blank question with a word bank answer type, enter the correct answers in the Correct Answer field [1]. Word Bank Distractors can be added separately [2]. To reuse word bank choices, click the Allow word bank choices to be reused checkbox [3].
Additional Details: When building a Fill in the Blank question with multiple word bank choices, additional distractors are not required. Additionally, if the Allow Word Bank choices to be reused option is enabled, reused answer options will not be removed from the word bank.
Pages
Schedule Page Publication Default Status Update
Summary: The Schedule Page Publication default status has been updated to Enabled/Unlocked. Instructors can delay pages for publication on a specific date and time.
Change Benefit: This update allows instructors to prepare and schedule pages in advance to automatically publish in a course.
Feature Workflow:
When editing a page, select a Publish At date [1] and enter a Time [2].
Edit Page Save Button
Click Save.
Schedule Page to Publish IconIn Modules and Pages, instructors can view when a page is scheduled to publish.
Additional Details: Previously, this feature option was disabled by default. Additionally, scheduled pages remain invisible to students until the publish date and time.
This feature update was originally introduced in the Canvas Release Notes (2022-11-19).
Other Updates
Inbox
Improved Inbox Functionality [Feature Delayed as of 2022-12-08]
Summary: In the Inbox, coding has been updated to improve functionality for all users.
Change Benefit: This update utilizes InstUI for Inbox, Instructure’s internal design language, to provide improved accessibility and quality experiences.