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 (July 14), the current anonymous and moderated grading features in course assignments have been updated to provide improved assignment flexibility with fully anonymized, multiple grader anonymity, and moderated options. Rubrics can be created without point values to create non-scoring rubrics. In the SpeedGrader menu, the Keyboard shortcuts and Help links have been moved to the Settings menu.
In Canvas Commons, the Grade/Level search filter includes an updated design using checkboxes to filter search results. And for courses using the Quizzes.Next LTI, the course home page displays the +Quiz/Test button when the home page is set to the Assignments List. In DocViewer, comments remain on the same page as the associated annotation. And clarifications have been made throughout Canvas regarding page and wiki terminology.
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 August 4.
New Features
ASSIGNMENTS
Anonymous Moderated Grading
This feature requires the Moderated Grading and Anonymous Grading feature options, which can be enabled for an entire account or on a course-by-course basis. The current anonymous and moderated grading features have been updated to provide improved assignment flexibility with fully anonymized, multiple grader anonymity, and moderated options. Additionally, moderated grading has been simplified for a better user experience. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Anonymous Moderated Grading for image.
For more information about anonymous moderated grading, please see the Canvas Release Notes: Anonymous Moderated Grading document.
GRADES
Non-Scoring Rubrics
Rubrics can be created without point values to create a non-scoring rubric. This feature promotes learning engagement by helping students focus on assignment feedback instead of point values. Additionally, improvements have been made to the Learning Mastery Gradebook and Student Learning Mastery Gradebook interfaces for a simplified user experience. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Non-Scoring Rubrics for image.
Updated Features
COMMONS
Grade/Level Search Filter Design Update
In Canvas Commons, the Grade/Level search filter includes an updated design using checkboxes to filter search results. This change allows users to select specific grade levels when searching for resources in Commons and provides improved accessibility for all users. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Grade/Level Search Filter Design Update for image.
DOCVIEWER
Single Page Comments
DocViewer comments have been updated to improve comment usability and management. Comments remain on the same page as the annotation. If there are too many comments to display, comments near the top or bottom of the page are automatically hidden, and comments become scrollable within the page. An indicator shows how many comments are hidden on the page. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Single Page Comments for image.
Other Updates
PAGES
Wiki Terminology Update
To ensure additional consistency throughout Canvas, Pages terminology has been changed from wiki to page(s) in the following locations:
- Content menus (e.g. Modules)
- Page titles
- Email notifications
- Rich Content Editor sidebar
QUIZZES.NEXT
When a course home page is set to the Assignments List, the home page displays the +Quiz/Test button. This change helps content creators easily create a new Quiz from the home page instead of having to access the Assignments page. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Course Home Page Quiz/Test Button for image.
SPEEDGRADER
In the SpeedGrader menu, the Keyboard shortcuts and Help links have been moved to the Settings menu. This change helps consolidate icons in the menu and provide more space for assignment information. Please see the Canvas Production Release Notes: Menu Icon Changes for image.
Fixed Bugs
Please view the Canvas Production Release Notes for July 14, 2018 Fixed Bugs descriptions and its accompanying screencast for more information concerning accessibility improvements and other bug fixes. Some bugs that may have affected Rutgers users are stated here.
ASSIGNMENTS
Multiple Assignment Groups and Index Page Loading
Courses with multiple assignment groups maintain performance when loading in the Assignments page.
Explanation: When a course included more than 11 assignment groups, the Assignments page was unable to load completely or displayed other negative performance behavior. Canvas code has been updated to improve performance for the Assignments page.
Multiple Enrollment Assignment Access
Students enrolled in multiple sections with multiple enrollment types can only access assignments with active enrollments.
Explanation: When a student enrolled in multiple sections had an inactive enrollment in one section, the student was able to access assignments assigned to the section with the inactive enrollment. Canvas code has been updated to verify enrollment status and not display assignments to inactive enrollments.
MODULES
Course Content Order Display
When added to a module, course content is displayed alphabetically.
Explanation: When course content was added to a module, the course content list did not display any specific order. Canvas code has been updated to display course content in alphabetical order.
SPEEDGRADER
New Gradebook Late Policy and Grading Status
Late Policies in the New Gradebook apply correctly in SpeedGrader.
Explanation: When the Late Policy feature was enabled in the New Gradebook, SpeedGrader would not mark students as graded when students were given a grade. Canvas code has been updated to verify graded statuses from the Gradebook in SpeedGrader.