Canvas operates on a three-week release cycle through which features are added or updated. Courseware Support posts highlights from Canvas’s production release notes, a link to these notes, and other relevant content to the Canvas at Penn a few days before the production release, which usually occurs on Saturdays. Please contact Courseware Support at canvas@pobox.upenn.edu if you have any questions about an upcoming production release.
11/18/17 Production Release Highlights:
- New Gradebook: Admins can allow the New Gradebook for their institution on a course-by-course basis. The New Gradebook is a beta feature that allows instructors to view an improved version of the Gradebook. This feature makes grading more flexible and intuitive and elevates the Gradebook user experience. When the feature option is enabled at the course level in Course Settings, New Gradebook replaces the current Gradebook functionality. However, New Gradebook can be disabled at any time without affecting Gradebook data. The New Gradebook currently offers the following enhancements: Additional views to sort and filter assignments, custom color status options, and improved keyboard accessibility on grade entry. For more information, please see the New Gradebook Release Notes. If there is interest in enabling this new feature, please contact your Local Support Provider (LSP) or email canvas@pobox.upenn.edu.
- Move-To Menu Sidebar: In Course Settings, Modules, and Groups, the Move-To Menu has been changed to a sidebar and displays a nested structure of move options. This change helps improve consistency with other Move-To Menus in Canvas.
- Module Items Duplication: Assignments, graded discussions, and pages can be duplicated within a module. The duplication option is located in the Settings menu for every supported module item. When a module item is copied, the word “Copy” is added to the end of the item name. Duplicating a module item defaults the copied item to an unpublished status. The item’s name and other supported options are duplicated except in situations as indicated by the item type. For details about specific item duplication limitations, please see Canvas Production Release Notes (2017-07-15) (assignments and pages), and Canvas Production Release Notes (2017-10-28) (graded discussions). Items duplicated in the Modules page 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.
- Front Page Removal Option: Users can remove a page as the Front Page in a course. This feature allows instructors to remove the Front Page designation and allow the Pages Course Navigation link to direct to the Pages Index Page. If a Course Home Page is set to the Front Page, removing the Front Page will automatically change the Course Home Page to Modules.
- Rubric Criterion Duplication: Criteria can be duplicated within a rubric. This feature allows instructors and course designers to easily copy and modify existing criteria. The duplication option is displayed as part of the link to add a new criterion. When a criterion is copied, it is duplicated exactly as the original criterion, including the criterion title, ratings, and point value, and placed at the bottom of the rubric. Outcomes added to a rubric can also be duplicated in the rubric.
For a complete production release update, please see:
Canvas Production Release Notes: November 18, 2017
2017-11-18 New Feature Screencast from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.
View the script for this video.
Last Updated: 7 Dec 2018