Rutgers.eduIn an effort to continually improve Canvas, Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, releases Canvas upgrades every three weeks along with Production Release Notes. Pertinent features and upgrades are listed below. In this production release (June 23), modules and calendar events can be duplicated in Canvas. The Discussions page has been updated with an improved design, and instructors can create section-specific discussions. In the New Gradebook, the Grade Detail Tray button can be accessed from any assignment. Production release notes also include API updates and fixed bugs. This announcement lists pertinent updates that affect instructors and students and omits features that are not applicable for Rutgers Canvas. You may view the full Canvas Production Release Notes for June 23, 2018, and its accompanying screencast. The next release will be on July 14.
Updated Features
Calendar
Event Duplication
Users can duplicate events in the Calendar. Previously enabled through the Recurring Calendar Events feature option, this feature has been renamed to better represent the intended functionality and align with other feature elements that can be duplicated in Canvas. This feature has been enabled for all institutions and no longer requires a feature option.
When calendar event details are added through the More Options button, the calendar edit page displays the Duplicate checkbox. Like other items duplicated in Canvas, duplicated events are independent from each other, and once created, must be managed individually.
Users can specify to duplicate the event for a certain number of days, weeks, or months. Users can also modify a count number to the end of each event to help differentiate each occurrence once they are duplicated. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Event Duplication for screen images.
Discussions
Courses Page Design Updates & Section-Specific Discussions
The Discussions page includes an updated design to improve accessibility for all users. Most functionality has not been affected. Additionally, when creating a non-graded discussion, instructors can create section-specific discussions in their courses for all sections, one section, or multiple sections. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Courses Page Design Updates & Section-Specific Discussions for an image.
Modules
Modules Duplication
Entire modules can be duplicated within a course. The duplication option is located in the Settings menu for every supported module item. When a module is copied, the word Copy is added to the end of the module name. A copied module is placed directly below the originating module. While the module is being copied, a loading indicator shows the copy is in progress. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Modules Duplication for an image.
Module and Module Item Status
Duplicating a module defaults the module and all module items to an unpublished status. Each item within the module is duplicated except in situations as indicated by the item type.
Duplicated module items follow the same behavior as a new item created in a module. The item displays in the Modules page but is also visible in the item’s respective index page. All assignments, pages, and graded discussions within the copied module also include the word Copy at the end of the module item name.
Notes:
- If applicable, the Modules page displays any Blueprint Course icons after the page is refreshed.
- MasteryPath items may be copied in a module, but assigned paths are not retained. Paths should be set after the course module structure is complete.
Quiz Limitations
Only Quizzes. Next Quizzes are supported for copying within modules. If a module contains a classic quiz, the option to copy a module does not display in the module menu. Modules can be copied by removing the classic quiz from the module. Classic quizzes are indicated by a rocket icon; Quizzes. Next quizzes are indicated by an assignment icon. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Quiz Limitations for an image.
New Gradebook
Grade Detail Tray Access Button
In the New Gradebook, the Grade Detail Tray can be accessed in concluded enrollments as well as assignments in closed grading periods. This change allows instructors to more easily view grade details regardless of assignment or enrollment type. The Grade Detail Tray always displays a message for assignments in closed grading periods or if enrollment has been concluded. These grades are still displayed to instructors as read-only and cannot be modified. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Grade Detail Tray Access Button for an image.
Fixed Bugs
Please view the Canvas Production Release Notes for June 23, 2018 Fixed Bugs descriptions and its accompanying screencast for more information concerning accessibility improvements and other bug fixes.