Canvas Updates

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Production Release Notes for Saturday, March 14, 2015
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Production Release Notes for Saturday, April 4, 2015
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<h3><strong>Upcoming Canvas Changes</strong></h3>
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<p>On <strong>June 6, 2015</strong>, the following changes will be made in Canvas:</p>
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<ul>
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<li> Differentiated Assignments (by section) will no longer be a Feature Option in Canvas and will be enabled for all Canvas users as a standard feature. Learn more about Differentiated Assignments as an [http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/196631-what-feature-options-are-currently-available-for-my-canvas-course instructor].</li>
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<li> The new Files interface (Better File Browsing) will no longer be a Feature Option in Canvas and will be enabled for all Canvas users as a standard feature. This change will enable New Files on the course and user levels. Learn more about New Files as an [http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/196631-what-feature-options-are-currently-available-for-my-canvas-course instructor].</li>
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</ul>
<h1>New Features</h1>
<h1>New Features</h1>
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<h2>Commons</h2>
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<h2>Outcomes</h2>
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<h3>Video and Audio Sharing</h3>
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<h3>Calculation Methods</h3>
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<p>As part of file sharing, Commons users can share and import video and audio files into their courses. Sharing these files to Commons works in conjunction with the Better File Browsing course opt-in feature. On the search page, users can preview the files (up to 10 seconds); on the resource page, users have the option to download the files.</p>
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<p><em>This feature is used in conjunction with the [http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/196631-what-feature-options-are-currently-available-for-my-canvas-course Learning Mastery Gradebook] course feature option. </em></p>
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<p></p>
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<p>Outcomes allows instructors and admins to specify one of four calculation methods used for student mastery in the Learning Mastery Gradebook and Student Learning Mastery Gradebook. Previously the only calculation method available in Canvas was calculating by highest score.</p>
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<h3>Shared Resources</h3>
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<p>When viewing Outcomes at the Account, Subaccount, and Course levels, the current calculation method displays as part of the outcome data.</p>
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<p>Users can also view all their shared resources in Commons. Located in Commons Navigation, the Shared link allows you to see all the resources you've shared in Commons.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p></p>
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<p><strong>Decaying Average</strong>: Calculate the average of all aligned items while weighing the most recent item at a higher percentage. Traditional averaging weighs all assessments equally and does not consider the student’s current understanding, but this calculation assesses the current attempt while still recognizing prior attempts, which helps display trends in student learning. Ultimately, the overall score reflects the current level of understanding instead of the average of learning over time.</p>
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<p>By default, the decaying average is set at 65/35, meaning the current item is weighted at 65%, and the average of all other user scores is weighted at 35%. However, users can specify between 1% and 99% for the current percentage, and prior scores are weighted against the percentage difference. Note that the average is rounded to the next two decimals.</p>
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<h2>Modules</h2>
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<p>For example, a student has four aligned items with scores of 4, 3, 2, and 5. If the current item is set to be weighted at 75% of mastery, prior scores are weighted at 25%:</p>
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<h3>Manage Files</h3>
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<ul>
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<p>Instructors can manage files directly from the Modules page. This feature aligns publishing functionality of all items within Modules and allows an instructor to publish, unpublish, or restrict a file.</p>
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<li> Current item score: 5 </li>
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<p>The state of the file is aligned with the Files Index page. If a file is unpublished within Files, the file will also be shown as unpublished on the Modules page. </p>
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<li> Average of prior item scores: (4 + 3 + 2) / 3 = 3 </li>
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<p></p>
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<li> Calculated score: 5 (.75) + 3 (.25) = 3.75 + .75 = 4.5 </li>
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</ul>
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<h2>Quizzes</h2>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>Average Scoring Policy</h3>
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<p><strong>n Number of Times</strong>: Require a specific number of times mastery must be met or exceeded and the number of aligned items that must be completed for calculation eligibility. Any scores that do not meet mastery are not part of the calculation.</p>
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<p>When allowing multiple attempts in a quiz, instructors can choose to score a quiz by the average score. This feature generates an average score for all attempts in a quiz. <br /><br /></p>
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<p>By default, the item requirement is set at 2. However, users can specify between 2 and 5 items required for mastery.</p>
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<p>For example, a student is required to achieve mastery 2 times with a mastery score of 5. If the student has scores of 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 3, and 6, only the scores of 5 and 6 would be part of the calculation.</p>
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<ul>
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<li> Average score of eligible items: 5 + 6 = 11</li>
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<li> Calculated score: 11 / 2 = 5.5</li>
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</ul>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Most Recent Score</strong>: Always use the score in the most recent item.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Highest Score</strong>: Always use the highest score in all attempts.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><em>Notes:<br></em></p>
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<p>For all existing Outcomes in Canvas, the default calculation is the highest score. Unless an outcome has not yet been used to assess a student, existing outcomes cannot be edited and must be re-created to apply another calculation method.</p>
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<p>For new Outcomes created in the Canvas interface, the default calculation is Decaying Average.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>Gradebook Display</h3>
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<p>Assessment scores display in the Learning Mastery Gradebook for each outcome according to the calculation method. Additionally, instructors can view the current calculation method as part of the Outcomes overview window.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h1>Updated Features</h1>
<h1>Updated Features</h1>
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<h2>Gradebook</h2>
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<h2>Announcements</h2>
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<h3>Unpublished Courses and Grades</h3>
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<h3>Settings Menu</h3>
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<p>Instructors can edit the Gradebook while a course is unpublished. This feature reverts behavior that was previously adjusted in the March 14 release.</p>
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<p>The Announcements Index page includes a settings menu for each posted announcement. In addition to improving accessibility, this feature aligns Announcements with all other areas within Canvas and allows quick access to closing an Announcement for comments or deleting an announcement.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p></p>
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<h2>Learning Mastery Gradebook</h2>
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<h3>Mastery Levels</h3>
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<p><em>This feature is used in conjunction with the [http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/196631-what-feature-options-are-currently-available-for-my-canvas-course Learning Mastery Gradebook] course feature option. </em></p>
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<p>In the Learning Mastery Gradebook, the Gradebook includes an <strong>Exceeds Mastery</strong> level, which is a score earned above the mastery threshold. Additionally, the Remedial level has been renamed to <strong>Well Below Mastery</strong>.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Rich Content Editor</h2>
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<h3>Interface Update</h3>
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<p>The Rich Content Editor has been updated with the most recent interface design and ultimately update provides more backend functionality to support future upgrades to the Rich Content Editor.</p>
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<p>The main feature of this upgrade includes better support for creating and deleting tables. Users can easily add, merge, and split table cells without having to switch to the HTML Editor. Rows can be added, copied, and pasted anywhere in the table.</p>
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<p>The editor also supports directional text so users can insert content right to left. This feature can be added using the Right to Left button within the editor.</p>
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<p>Beneath the Rich Content Editor window, users can view HTML elements for any selected content. This feature is beneficial for users who work with HTML and want to view or confirm placement of content.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h1>Other Updates</h1>
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<h2>Analytics</h2>
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<h3>Student Submissions</h3>
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<p>For student analytics, the <em>Assignments</em> analytics section has been renamed to <em>Submissions</em>. Additionally, no icons are displayed for assignments that do not include a submission (i.e. not graded, on paper) or for assignments that do not apply to a student because of differentiated assignments. These changes were made because assignments that did not require a submission were always being shown as missing, and Canvas could not calculate whether or not a non-submission assignment was submitted on time.</p>
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<h2>Conferences</h2>
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<h3>Enable Recording Button</h3>
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<p>When users create a conference, the checkbox to record a conference has been renamed to Enable recording for this conference. Some users were unaware that the actual recording button is within the Conferences interface and that marking the checkbox did not automatically record the conference. This change helps clarify the purpose of the checkbox, which simply enables the recording tools within the Conferences interface. Functionality for this feature is not affected.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Discussions</h2>
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<h3>Discussion Creation Dates</h3>
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<p>Discussion creation dates have been modified as an instructor permission, meaning the student and observer views do not display the creation date for a discussion.</p>
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<p>This change helps instructors copy course content without having to modify any Discussions content; only instructors can view the creation date for a discussion.</p>
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<p>Additionally, when Discussions are copied in a course, the last post date will not display on the Discussions index page; the last post date was displaying as the creation date of the discussion. This feature is not currently in available for testing in beta but will be part of Saturday’s release.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Student Learning Mastery Gradebook</h2>
<h2>Student Learning Mastery Gradebook</h2>
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<h3>Functionality Enhancements</h3>
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<h3>Mastery Count Indicator</h3>
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<p>The Student Learning Mastery Gradebook includes a revised display for better readability and student mastery understanding. When viewing the Student Learning Mastery Gradebook, students see the outcome group and the number of associated outcomes. The total number of outcomes are shown in gray, while the number of outcomes that the student has mastered are shown in green.</p>
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<p>Mastery Count Indicators are used in conjunction with the [http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/196631-what-feature-options-are-currently-available-for-my-canvas-course Student Learning Mastery Gradebook] course feature option.</p>
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<p></p>
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<p>When viewing the Student Learning Mastery Gradebook, students see the outcome group and the number of associated outcomes. On the right side, the total number of outcomes are shown in gray; the left side shows the number of outcomes the student has mastered. The mastery count for the student now does not turn green until the student has started mastering outcomes in the group.</p>
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<p><br>When an outcome group expands, hover over the more icon to view details for that outcome. The hover window text shows the last assessment used for the outcome and the date of the submission. If a score has been awarded, the score appears next to the outcome assessment name (if no score has been awarded, the submission displays as N/A). Scores also include the appropriate icon and color to represent the level of mastery. </p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Students can also view the current mastery evaluation method in the hover window. Currently mastery is calculated as the highest score. In a future release instructors will be able to choose a specific mastery method.</p>
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<p></p>
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<h1>Other Updates</h1>
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<h2>Quizzes (Students)</h2>
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<h3>Help Icon for Essay Questions</h3>
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<p>When viewing an essay question in a quiz, students can view the help icon showing the keyboard shortcut menu. Keyboard shortcuts are enabled when a student is working inside the Rich Content Editor.</p>
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<p></p>
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<h1>Fixed Bugs</h1>
<h1>Fixed Bugs</h1>
<h2>Accessibility</h2>
<h2>Accessibility</h2>
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<h3>General</h3>
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<p>Focus styles are now included in button states, buttons, tabs, and item groups in both the high contrast mode and default Canvas interface.</p>
<h3>Announcements</h3>
<h3>Announcements</h3>
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<p>Screen readers can read the Add Announcement button.</p>
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<p>The Announcements Settings Menu is labeled as a button for screen readers.</p>
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<p>Keyboard users can collapse an individual reply to an announcement.</p>
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<h3>Assignments</h3>
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<p>When a keyboard user tries to attach a file to an announcement, focus remains on the Choose File button.</p>
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<p>Assignment Groups are identified as headings for screen readers on the Assignments Index page.</p>
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<p>The reply field for announcements displays the info icon next to the Rich Content Editor.</p>
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<p>Screen readers can read Available From and Until date fields in Assignments.</p>
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<p>All Announcements elements on the index page are highlighted from left to right.</p>
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<p>On the Student Assignment page, the Show By radio buttons include labels that specify <em>show by date</em> and <em>show by type</em> options.</p>
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<p>All announcement reply element buttons are highlighted from left to right.</p>
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<p>When a keyboard user accesses the Settings menu and chooses a command, focus returns to the Settings menu.</p>
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<h3>Calendar</h3>
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<h3>Course Settings</h3>
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<p>Screen readers can read date fields in the Calendar.</p>
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<p>In Course Details, the Description label includes a for attribute to indicate a course public description.</p>
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<h3>Course Setup Checklist</h3>
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<p>The Course Setup Checklist includes a screen reader message indicating when the checklist items are complete or incomplete.</p>
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<h3>Conversations</h3>
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<p>The People selection menu in Conversations displays a color contrast of 3:1 for the default Canvas interface and 4.5:1 for high contrast profiles.</p>
<h3>Discussions</h3>
<h3>Discussions</h3>
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<p>Screen readers can read Available From and Until date fields in Discussions.</p>
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<p>The Discussions Settings Menu is labeled as a button for screen readers.</p>
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<p>Screen readers can identify if discussion replies are to be posted to the discussion thread or a threaded comment.</p>
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<p>Keyboard users can collapse an individual reply to a discussion.</p>
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<p>Keyboard users can add and show rubrics for discussions.</p>
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<p>When a keyboard user tries to attach a file to a discussion, focus remains on the Choose File button.</p>
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<p>Each reply field for discussions display an info icon next to the Ri</p>
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<p>All Discussions elements are highlighted from left to right.&lt;</p>
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<h3>External Apps</h3>
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<p>The View App Center and View App Configurations buttons are highligh</p>
<h3>Files</h3>
<h3>Files</h3>
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<p>Screen readers can read Available From and Until date fields in Files.</p>
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<p>In New Files, users can identify and modify the current access restr</p>
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<p>The Select All files option includes a label for screen readers.</p>
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<p>The Settings label has been changed to actions.</p>
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<p>When closing a file preview, Files retains focus on the name of the file that was being previewed.</p>
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<h3>Groups</h3>
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<p>When a keyboard user attempts to rename a file but cancels the action, focus returns to the file’s name.</p>
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<p>Group heading buttons can be read by screen readers and accessed by keyboard users. Users can also identify the current status of the group.</p>
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<p>Keyboard users can view the file’s information in the preview window.</p>
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<h3>Modules</h3>
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<h3>People</h3>
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<p>All items in the Modules Setting menu retain focus on the menu. When a module item is deleted, focus returns to the previous item; if the previous item was the last item in the module, focus moves to the Module’s settings menu. &nbsp;</p>
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<p>The Add People dialog window maintains focus for keyboard users.</p>
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<p>When closing the Modules edit window, Modules retains focus on the Settings menu.</p>
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<p>When keyboard users view the Add Module button, focus is set to the first drag handle in the Module.</p>
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<h3>Quizzes</h3>
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<h3>Outcomes</h3>
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<p>Screen readers can read Available From and Until date fields in Quizzes.</p>
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<p>Keyboard users can access the Outcomes Edit menu to open and edit criterion.</p>
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<p>When users have multiple quiz attempts, screen readers can identify the current attempt within a student quiz log.</p>
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<h3>Rich Content Editor</h3>
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<p>As part of creating a quiz, answer options include labels to identify correct answers and possible (incorrect) answers.</p>
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<p>All shortcuts are correct in the keyboard dialog; users can open the dialog by clicking alt-F8. The information icon also includes hover text to open the help menu.</p>
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<h3>Rubrics</h3>
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<p>Keyboard users can delete a rubric. Focus is set to the view longer description link of the previous row. If there is no previous row, focus moves to the title input field.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Analytics</h2>
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<h3>Course Analytics for Missing Assignments</h3>
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<p>Student analytics are not displayed for assignments that do not include a submission (i.e. not graded, on paper).</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Assignment types set to Not Graded were displayed as missing in Course Analytics. This behavior occurred because analytics was not coded to support Not Graded assignments and was also affected by differentiated assignments. Canvas code has been updated to remove submission icons for any assignments that do not include a submission or assignments that do not apply to a student because of differentiated assignments.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Announcements</h2>
<h2>Announcements</h2>
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<h3>Replies in Disabled Announcement Comments</h3>
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<h3>Podcast Link</h3>
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<p>Students cannot reply to an announcement if comments are disabled in a course.</p>
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<p>Users can access announcement podcasts if an announcement includes a video file.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When comments on announcements were disabled, students were still able to see the option to reply to an announcement but received a 401 page error after attempting to post a reply. Canvas code has been updated to remove the reply text field for announcements if the comment option is disabled.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: The Announcements podcast link broke when instructors added a video file to an announcement from the content selector. This behavior occurred because of a conflict in media definitions for each media type. Canvas code has been updated to leave out media objects if a media attachment is included as a reply.</p>
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<h3>Announcements and Course Activity</h3>
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<h3>RSS Feeds</h3>
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<p>Disabling comments in Announcements does not affect course settings and activity logs.</p>
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<p>When an instructor creates an RSS Feed for Announcements, only one announcement is created per feed item.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor disabled comments in Announcements, either through the Announcements Settings menu or the Course Settings page, the course activity log generated a report that the comments setting had been turned off. This behavior occurred because of changes to course public visibility settings. Canvas code has been updated confirm changes to course settings before updating activity logs.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an RSS Feed was created for an announcement, the RSS feed was creating duplicate announcements. Canvas code has been updated to generate one announcement per feed item.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>Delayed Announcements and Attachments</h3>
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<p>Adding an attachment to a delayed announcement does not affect the date of the announcement post.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When creating an announcement with the delayed posting option and adding an attachment, the announcement posted immediately because the attachment encoding ignored any associated date objects. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the delayed post option for announcements regardless of attachments.</p>
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<h3>Announcement Content</h3>
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<p>Instructors cannot create an announcement without content.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: If an instructor created an announcement but did not include any content (i.e. if the announcement only included an attachment), Canvas created a page error when the page was saved. Canvas code has been updated to generate a message if content is not included in the announcement.</p>
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<h2>Assignments</h2>
<h2>Assignments</h2>
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<h3>Unpublished Course Assignment Notifications</h3>
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<h3>Differentiated Assignments and Gradebook Uploads</h3>
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<p>Students do not receive notifications for Assignments in unpublished courses.</p>
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<p>When Differentiated Assignments is enabled, Gradebook CSV uploads update new assignments and scores.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: In an unpublished course, when an instructor made a comment to an assignment or unmuted an assignment, students were receiving assignment notifications. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the state of the course before sending course notifications.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: The Differentiated Assignments feature option was conflicting with Gradebook CSV uploads; the upload recognized the assignment but would not update any student scores. Two uploads were required for the same CSV file before the grades would appear. This behavior occurred because the Gradebook was verifying scores for visible assignments, but with Differentiated Assignments, but some students were not required to complete the assignment. Canvas code has been updated to have CSV files verify if the assignment is visible to the student and ignore any student submissions that are not visible.</p>
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<h3>Assignments and External Tools</h3>
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<h3>Multiple Sections and Due Dates</h3>
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<p>Clicking the Enter key in an assignment field does not launch the configure external tool window.</p>
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<p>Assignments save correctly for assignments set for multiple sections that can be accessed in the same date range.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user clicked the Enter (or Return) key in an assignments field, such as points, name, or automatic peer reviews, the assignment launched the configure external tool window. This behavior occurred because the class for the assignment fields was not defined as being for screen readers only. Canvas code has been updated with a clarified button class for screen readers. &nbsp;</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When due dates in an assignment, discussion, or quiz were set for more than one date-limited section—even when the due dates were appropriate for each section—the Save button would not update the assignment. Canvas code has been updated to save assignments appropriately regardless of section or overlap dates.</p>
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<h3>Assignment Groups</h3>
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<p>When adding a new assignment to an assignment group, the group retains any assignments added via drag-and-drop functionality.</p>
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<h3>Test Student Reset</h3>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: The drag-and-drop functionality in Assignments was causing existing assignments to disappear from the group until the page was refreshed. When an instructor created a new assignment group and then dragged an existing assignment to the group, adding a new assignment directly in the group caused the existing assignment to disappear. This behavior occurred because of an empty attribute value in the page display for drag-and-drop functionality. Canvas code has been updated to render a refresh to properly recognize drag-and-drop assignments.</p>
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<p>Resetting the test student removes all associated submissions for an assignment and allows the assignment to be unpublished.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When submitting an assignment as a test student and then resetting the test students, instructors were not able to unpublish the assignment. Canvas code has been updated to remove all associated assignment submissions when the test student is reset.</p>
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<h2>Calendar</h2>
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<h3>Undated Events</h3>
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<h3>Assignment Groups and Internet Explorer 10</h3>
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<p>Canvas users can create undated events in the Calendar.</p>
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<p>In Internet Explorer 10 (IE10), instructors can add an assignment to an assignment group using the Add Assignment icon.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Canvas users were not able to create an undated event in the Calendar. If a user removed the date, upon saving, the event auto-populated with the current date. This behavior occurred because the Calendar was not supporting undated fields. Canvas code has been updated to allow blank date fields and place the undated event in the Undated items list in the sidebar.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor tried to add an assignment to an assignment group using the Add Assignment icon, the page created a page error because the submission did not contain a specific value as per browser specifications. Canvas code has been updated with an specific submission value to define the submission type for quick-add assignments in IE10. </p>
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<h3>Syllabus and Media Comments</h3>
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<p>Users can load the course syllabus and calendar if a media comment exists in a Calendar event with varied due dates.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Course users were unable to load the course syllabus and calendar when a calendar event with varied due dates included a media comment. This behavior occurred because event descriptions were not defined for the course. Canvas code has been updated to verify course context and allow media comments in varied due date event descriptions.</p>
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<h3>Calendar Assignment View</h3>
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<p>Users can view all content for an assignment in the Calendar.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Assignments with very long descriptions were not scrollable in the calendar event window. The window pane continued beyond the dimensions of the window instead of stopping at a maximum height. This behavior occurred because the calendar was not defined with a maximum height. Canvas code has been updated to specify the maximum height and width on Calendar event windows as 160 px and 495 px.</p>
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<h3>Assignments and Saturday Due Date</h3>
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<p>In the Calendar, Assignments dragged to Saturday that are due on or after 11:31 pm post as a Saturday assignment.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Assignments that were due on or after 11:31pm were not posting correctly when a user dragged and dropped the assignment to a Saturday. The assignment became grayed out and posted on Sunday. This behavior occurred because Canvas was enforcing a 30-minute window for calendar events, which adjusted assignments created after 11:31 pm to midnight (and wrapped the assignment to Sunday). Canvas code has been updated to only enforce the minimum 30-minute duration if the assignment is not due between 11:31 pm and 12:00 am.</p>
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<h3>Section Limits and Scheduler</h3>
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<p>Section-limited instructors can see course sections in Scheduler.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Instructors who could only view specific sections of a course were not able to view the course in Scheduler. This behavior occurred because the Calendar was confirming the appointment group permission as all-or-nothing course functionality. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the appointment group permission while distinguishing between sections in the course.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Collaborations</h2>
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<h3>Group Collaborations</h3>
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<p>Instructors can create group collaborations without being a member of the group.</p>
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<p><em>Explanation</em>: Instructors were not able to create a group collaboration without being a member of the group. Additionally, all user groups were being shown to the collaboration creator, even if the group was not part of the course. This behavior occurred because the groups permission was not verifying the user, both for creating collaborations and listing groups. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the manage groups permission for instructors and only show relevant groups for the course.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<h2>Conferences</h2>
 +
<h3>Long-Running Conferences and End Now Dashboard Button</h3>
 +
<p>Users can end a long-running conference from the Course Dashboard.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user had access to create a long-running (no time limit) conference, the activity stream on the course dashboard included a button to join or end the conference. Clicking the End Now button displayed a page of code content. This behavior occurred because the End Now button was not properly configured to close the conference. Canvas code has been updated to confirm closing the conference and includes a confirmation message. &nbsp;</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Conversations</h2>
<h2>Conversations</h2>
-
<h3>Multiple Conversations</h3>
+
<h3>Conversation Filters</h3>
-
<p>When selecting multiple messages, Conversations highlights all selected messages.</p>
+
<p>Conversations can be filtered by course if a student and instructor share more than one course.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user uses the command or control key to select multiple messages in Conversations, the messages were not being highlighted, and the multiple message indicator was not appearing in the right panel. Canvas code has been updated to reapply these multiple message indicators. <em>This fix was deployed to production on March 2.</em></p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When filtering Conversations by course, when a student and instructor had more shared more than one course, the messages were all filtered into the course with the lower ID number and were not visible as part of the other course. This behavior occurred because the updated time was not preloaded as part of the filter context, pulling older conversations that were no longer relevant. Canvas code has been updated to include updated tags as part of conversations context. &nbsp;</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Group Conversations</h3>
 +
<p>Group lists load quickly in the Conversation drop-down menu.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user tried to view a group list in Conversations, the list of users was delayed in loading. This behavior occurred because all contexts were being loaded for the group recipients. Canvas code has been updated to refactor group user lists and load only relevant context. &nbsp;</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Course Imports</h2>
<h2>Course Imports</h2>
-
<h3>Assignments Default Grading Scheme</h3>
+
<h3>Essay and File Upload Duplication</h3>
-
<p>When copying a course with an account-level grading scheme attached to an assignment, the assignment retains association with the grading scheme.</p>
+
<p>Essay questions and File Upload questions are not duplicated as part of a course copy.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a course was copied with an account-level grading scheme attached to an assignment, the assignment was reverting to the default grading scheme, not the account-level scheme. Canvas code has been updated to export and import external grading scheme IDs for assignments.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a quiz is copied into a course twice, and select content is selected in one of the copy types, Essay and File Upload questions were duplicating in the course. This behavior occurred because of an error with quiz question migration IDs. Canvas code has been updated to retain and verify quiz question IDs for course imports.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Syllabus Public Setting</h3>
-
<h3>Duplicate Courses</h3>
+
<p>Syllabi that are public on course copy are retained as public.</p>
-
<p>Users cannot copy a course into itself as part of the course copy process.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor enabled the Make the syllabus for this course publicly visible option and copied the course, the syllabus option was not applied as part of the import. This behavior occurred because the public syllabus was not defined as a clonable attribute for course copies. Canvas code has been updated to preserve the public syllabus attribute and compare the settings when copying a course.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: In the Copy a Canvas Course drop-down menu, users are able to select the course where you are currently accessing Course Settings. Selecting this option created duplicate assignments, discussions, pages, and quizzes in the existing course. Canvas code has been updated to not allow the current course as an import option.</p>
+
<h3>Moodle and Graded Discussions</h3>
-
 
+
<p>Point values and graded options in Moodle advanced forums are imported to Graded Discussions.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a Moodle file was imported that contained advanced forums (graded discussions), the point value and graded options were not retained. This behavior occurred because Canvas required a more current code element to support Moodle files. Canvas code has been updated to include a more recent Moodle dependency.</p>
 +
<h3>Ungraded Discussions and Until Date</h3>
 +
<p>Ungraded Discussions retain the Until Date as part of course copies.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: Course copies were not retaining Until Dates in ungraded discussions, and users were required to adjust the dates manually when the copy had concluded. This behavior occurred because the Until (lock) date was not included as a migration element. Canvas code has been updated to add the lock date as part of course copies. &nbsp;</p>
 +
<h3>Blackboard Matching Questions</h3>
 +
<p>Matching questions in Blackboard are imported into Canvas quizzes.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a Blackboard file was imported that contained matching questions in a quiz, the quiz displayed an error for the quiz. This behavior occurred because of an error when referencing quiz answer IDs. Canvas code has been updated to ensure the question IDs reference the correct quiz response.</p>
 +
<h3>Assignment Group Settings</h3>
 +
<p>When copying individual assignments, course copies do not associate updated information from the source course’s assignment group.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When copying an individual assignment from a course that is part of an assignment group, instructors encountered a variety of error types. The new course applied rules to drop the lowest grade, even when no rule was set previously, and if the course copy included an assignment group with a changed name, the name would also update in the former course. This behavior occurred because of a change in course copy procedure in a previous release. Canvas code has been updated to copy individual assignments if the group where they were originally copied does not already exist in the destination course.</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Course Settings</h2>
<h2>Course Settings</h2>
-
<h3>Course Roles</h3>
+
<h3>Instructors and Concluded Enrollments</h3>
-
<p>Canvas roles are associated by ID instead of names.</p>
+
<p>When a course is concluded, instructors can still view all Course Navigation links.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user created multiple Canvas roles with the same name, deleting a role caused inadvertent behaviors throughout Canvas such as in the course roster and Course Settings. Canvas code has been updated to use IDs instead of names for course roles.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a course was concluded by Term Dates, instructors could only view navigation items and files/folders available to students. If the instructor hid any Course Navigation links from students, those links were also not able to be viewed after their Term access ended unless the dates were overridden by course dates. This behavior occurred because the course was not verifying enrollment types for instructors. Canvas code has been updated to confirm enrollments within the course and not hide Course Navigation tabs for instructors.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>External Apps</h3>
-
<h2>Courses</h2>
+
<p>Users can view the External Apps tab and add new apps in Course Settings.</p>
-
<h3>Coming Up List</h3>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: The External Apps tab generated multiple behaviors within Course Settings. If a user opened Course Settings and the last open tab was External Apps, the apps tab would not load. When viewing an app, if a user repeatedly clicked the Save button when adding an app, multiple app entries were created. Leaving a secret field blank overwrote the external tool with a blank secret. And the external tool configuration screen domain would not display in the Canvas interface. These behaviors occurred because of recent changes made to the External Tools App. Canvas code has been updated to correct necessary configurations and app values</p>
-
<p>The Coming Up list appears for students on the Course Home Page.</p>
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a course home page was set to a Page, the Coming Up list in the sidebar did not appear until the user selected to View Course Stream. Canvas code has been updated to always show the Coming Up list.</p>
+
<h2>Dashboard</h2>
-
 
+
<h3>Coming Up Section</h3>
-
<h3>Concluded Courses and Dashboard Lists</h3>
+
<p>The Coming Up section of the Course or User Dashboard indicates the correct time.</p>
-
<p>The Home Page To-Do and Coming Up lists only display assignments for current courses.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When they are more available items in the Coming Up section of the Course or User Dashboard sidebar, the link to display more items showed as more in the past week instead of more in the next week. This behavior occurred because the logic was being copied from the Recent Feedback section, which showed the past 2 weeks. Canvas code has been updated to display the correct time adjective.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: Assignments with due dates set after a course was concluded were appearing in student To-Do and Coming Up lists. Canvas code has been updated to confirm course dates and not display assignments for concluded courses.</p>
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
 
+
-
<h3>Section Enrollments in Concluded Courses</h3>
+
-
<p>Instructors can add students in concluded courses to unconcluded sections.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a course that had been concluded by term or course end dates contained active sections (with dates that are still open), instructors were not able to add students to the available sections. Canvas code has been updated to allow adding users to sections that are open within a concluded course.</p>
+
-
 
+
<h2>Discussions</h2>
<h2>Discussions</h2>
-
<h3>Group Discussions without Group Sets</h3>
+
<h3>No Title Discussions and TurnitIn IDs</h3>
-
<p>Instructors cannot create a group discussion without specifying a group set.</p>
+
<p>Discussions are not created for a course except through direct activity from a user.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor tried to create a group discussion without choosing or creating a group category, Canvas did not save the discussion. Canvas code has been updated to display an error if a group category is not selected for a group discussion.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: Some courses were generating discussions with no titles and no attached users. This behavior occurred in courses with enabled TurnitIn accounts, whose IDs were generating discussions for the course. Canvas code has been updated to only generate assignments via TurnItIn when applicable to the course.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Disappearing Discussion Comments</h3>
-
<h3>Group Discussion Redirects</h3>
+
<p>Editing a discussion reply retains all associated discussion comments.</p>
-
<p>Students will always be directed to their assigned group within a group discussion.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a discussion reply was edited, all associated comments as part of the thread would disappear in the discussion topic. This behavior affected both threaded and unthreaded discussions and occurred because of a reply capture error. The reply held an instance of the parent attribute, as opposed to just referencing the parent, so the replies were removed when the associated reply was edited. Canvas code has been updated to track and retain replies after the API edit request is complete.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: If an instructor created a group discussion and created a new group category, the new category contained no groups. After the instructor created groups within the set and added students to each group, the student viewing the group discussion would not be redirected to their assigned group’s discussion. Canvas code has been updated to redirect students to their assigned group’s discussion topic instead of the course discussion topic.</p>
+
<h3>Group Discussion Attachments</h3>
-
 
+
<p>Attachments in group discussions are viewable to all group members.</p>
-
<h3>Delete Post Permission in Graded Group Discussions</h3>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user attached a file to a discussion topic as part of a group discussion, the attachment was not viewable to the rest of the group. This behavior occurred because the group attachment ID was not a proper group attribute. Canvas code has been updated to mirror behavior in course groups by defining the group attachment ID and copying all appropriate attributes from the parent discussion.</p>
-
<p>Students cannot delete posts in graded group discussions if the Delete permission is not set for the course.</p>
+
<h3>Podcast Link</h3>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: In graded group discussions, when an instructor disabled the option to allow students to edit or delete their own discussion posts, students were still able to delete their posts. Canvas code has been updated to confirm permissions for group discussions. </p>
+
<p>Users can access discussion podcasts if a discussion includes a video file.</p>
-
 
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: The Discussions podcast link broke when instructors added a video file to a discussion from the content selector. This behavior occurred because of a conflict in media definitions for each media type. Canvas code has been updated to leave out media objects if a media attachment is included as a reply.</p>
-
<h3>Group Discussion Availability Dates</h3>
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
<p>Students cannot reply to group discussions that have a future availability date.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor created a group discussion with a future availability date, students were able to click on the link and reply in their group’s discussion. Canvas code has been updated to remove the reply option if a discussion’s availability date is in the future.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Attachments in Future Discussions</h3>
+
-
<p>Adding an attachment to a discussion with a future availability date does not affect the date of the discussion post.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When creating a discussion with an availability date in the future, and then adding an attachment, the discussion posted immediately because the attachment encoding ignored any associated date objects. Canvas code has been updated to improve attachment encoding within discussions.</p>
+
-
 
+
<h2>ePortfolios</h2>
<h2>ePortfolios</h2>
-
<h3>LTI Tools</h3>
+
<h3>Last Updated Timestamp</h3>
-
<p>Users can access LTI tools in the ePortfolios Rich Content Editor.</p>
+
<p>ePortfolios display the time of the last update.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user tried to access LTI tools in the Rich Content Editor, the page never loaded as expected because the editor buttons were being inherited as account resources and not user resources. Canvas code has been updated to inherit LTI tool buttons in ePortfolio in the user context.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user updates an ePortfolio, the last updated field (as seen on the ePortfolios dashboard) was not being updated to reflect the most recent time. This behavior occurred because changes were not set to trigger an update. Canvas code has been updated to touch the last updated field when a change is made to an ePortfolio.</p>
-
 
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Files</h2>
<h2>Files</h2>
-
<h3>Files Sorting</h3>
+
<h3>Drag and Drop Files List</h3>
-
<p>New Files sorts files naturally by number and file name.</p>
+
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, drag-and-drop functionality is enabled for the entire folder window.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When the Better File Browsing feature option was enabled in a course, course files were not sorting naturally. Canvas code has been updated to sort files as expected by number and alphabetically by name.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor uses drag and drop to add a file to a course with Better File Browsing enabled, the droppable area was sized only as large as the list of files; empty areas were inactive. This behavior was especially noticeable for mostly empty folders and occurred because the drop space wasn’t expanding to the entire area. Canvas code has been updated with CSS to expand the files upload area.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Fullscreen Video Previews</h3>
-
<h3>Embedded Personal Files</h3>
+
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, videos can be previewed in full screen.</p>
-
<p>Embedded images from a user’s personal files can be viewed and downloaded.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user attempted to preview a video file in full screen, the file disappeared completely but continued playing. This behavior occurred because of a height calculation error in the preview window. Canvas code has been updated to correct the container elements for the preview display.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user embedded an image from their personal files, the download link to that file displayed as unauthorised, causing the image to display as a broken link. Canvas code has been updated to apply an image verifier to confirm the image source and user. <em>This fix was deployed to production on March 2</em>.</p>
+
<h3>File Upload Previews</h3>
-
 
+
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, users can preview a file upload directly after uploading the file.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user uploaded a file, relevant previews (such as images) did not appear until the page was refreshed. This behavior occurred because of an outdated file in React, a the JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. Canvas code has been updated with a newer version of React.</p>
 +
<h3>Slash in Files URLs</h3>
 +
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, users can load files with a slash in the URL.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a files URL included a slash, such as canvas.com/files/, the file would not load. This behavior occurred because of an outdated file in React, a the JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. Canvas code has been updated with a newer version of React.</p>
 +
<h3>Moving Files and Duplicate Names</h3>
 +
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, users are prompted to replace/change the name of a file if it is moved to a location with the same file name.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user moved a file to a folder that had a file with the same name, Files did not create a prompt to &nbsp;change the name or replace the current file. This behavior occurred because prompts were only coded as part of uploading files. Canvas code has been updated to view duplicate file names for moving files.</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Gradebook</h2>
<h2>Gradebook</h2>
-
<h3>Gradebook Drop-down Menu (Chrome)</h3>
+
<h3>Grading Schemes</h3>
-
<p>In Chrome, users can view the Gradebook drop-down menu.</p>
+
<p>New grading schemes save with the included data.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When Chrome users tried to access the Gradebook section and settings drop-down menus, users could not access the menus or select items after they had initially been viewed. Canvas code has been updated to to support a rendering issue in Chrome 40 and 41.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user created a grading scheme and saved the data, the grading scheme was being overwritten with the default scheme data but only affect the first save of the grading scheme; editing and re-saving the scheme retained all data changes. This behavior occurred because of a misalignment with grading standard IDs. Canvas code has been updated to clarify default data and grading standard IDs. Additionally, users cannot delete a grading scheme row if it is the last remaining row in the grading scheme, and when users save or delete a grading scheme, a confirmation message appears at the top of the window.</p>
-
 
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
<h3>Multiple Grading Schemes</h3>
+
-
<p>Users can create multiple Grading Schemes without refreshing the page.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When users created a grading scheme and then immediately created another scheme without refreshing the page, the first scheme name was changed to New Title and the scheme changed to the default grading scheme. Refreshing the page displayed no errors. Canvas code has been updated to show correct information when adding multiple grading schemes.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Unpublished Courses and Grades</h3>
+
-
<p>Instructors cannot edit the Gradebook when a course is unpublished.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor opened an unpublished course and entered grades into the Gradebook, the course was not able to be published. Canvas code has been updated to not allow users to enter grades prior to when the course begins, either through manual publishing or through course availability dates.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<h2>Groups</h2>
+
-
<h3>ZIP Files in Group Files</h3>
+
-
<p>When Better File Browsing is enabled, users can upload ZIP files in Group Files.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When users tried to upload ZIP files in Group Files (with the Better File Browsing feature option), the loading bar would not continue past 50% and never completed the upload. Canvas code has been updated to correctly upload and expand ZIP files for groups.</p>
+
-
 
+
-
<h3>Student By-Invitation Groups</h3>
+
-
<p>When students create a group where membership is by invitation only, the invited students are notified that they can join the group.</p>
+
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor enabled the permission for students to create their own groups, and a student created a group where membership is by invitation, the invited students were not receiving any notifications about being invited to the group. Canvas code has been updated to notify students about group invitations.</p>
+
-
 
+
<h2>Modules</h2>
<h2>Modules</h2>
-
<h3>Quizzes</h3>
+
<h3>Module Menu Files Limit</h3>
-
<p>Students do not receive recent activity notifications when a quiz is added to a module.</p>
+
<p>When adding a file to a Module, users can choose from all files in the Files list.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a quiz was added to a module, students were receiving recent activity notifications for the quiz, even though the quiz was added in an unpublished state. This behavior occurred whether or not the entire module was already published. Canvas code has been updated to adjust the time the quiz is synced with updated assignments and avoid activity notifications.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user added a file to a Module, some files in root folders were not appearing in the Files list. This behavior occurred because of an inconsistency in the API. Canvas code has been updated to support files as a React component, which is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. This change creates a folder and file store for interacting with the API and ensures that folders that do not contain any files are not shown in the Modules file list.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Group Discussions and Page Completion Requirement</h3>
-
<h3>Read-Only Access and Assignments</h3>
+
<p>Group discussion module items with the users must contribute to the page requirement show the module progression checkmark when the requirement is complete.</p>
-
<p>Instructors who have read-only access to a course can view assignments on the Modules page.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a Group Discussion assignment type was included in a module, and users were required to contribute to the group discussion before the assignment could be completed, the module item was not displaying the completed check mark and did not allow the student to progress to the next module item. Users were required to change the assignment type to submit the assignment in order for the permission to apply correctly. This behavior occurred because Modules were not coded to accept completions for course assessments in a group context. Canvas code has been updated to forward group actions to the main course discussion.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When instructors accessed the modules page in a course where they have read-only access (such as viewing a course from a prior term), they were not able to view assignments. This behavior only affected courses where the Differentiated Assignments feature option was enabled. Canvas code has been updated to display assignments to instructors.</p>
+
<h3>Manual Quiz Grades</h3>
-
 
+
<p>When an instructor manually grades a quiz that is part of a module progress, students can advance to the next module requirement.</p>
-
<h3>Module Progression Changes</h3>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor manually awarded points to a student for a quiz in the Gradebook, and the quiz was part of a module requirement, the Module did not allow the student to progress to the next module. This behavior occurred from an inconsistency in manual grading; in assignments, students could be rewarded a grade for a non-submitted assignment and accept the grade as a submission. Canvas code has been updated to evaluate quiz module tags and allow for manual grading to unlock quiz module requirements.</p>
-
<p>If an instructor changes the progression of a module after a student has completed the requirement, the student can still progress through the module.</p>
+
<h3>Module Pages and State Changes</h3>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: If a student progressed through a module requirement (such as must submit the assignment) and the instructor changed the requirement (such as must score at least X points), the student’s progress still displayed the check mark in the modules page against against the new requirement but they weren’t able to access the next module because the new requirement hadn’t been completed. Canvas code has been updated to retain completion requirements for students unless the instructor specifically relocks the module.</p>
+
<p>Modifying the name of a page as well as the state of a page in Modules does not create duplicate pages.</p>
-
 
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor added a new page to a module, published the page, changed the name of the page, and unpublished the page, the page was created as a duplicate in the Pages Index page. This behavior occurred because of a misalignment in page IDs. Canvas code has been updated to confirm all page IDs when modifying a page.</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Notifications</h2>
<h2>Notifications</h2>
-
<h3>Conversations Attachment Download Notification</h3>
+
<h3>Designer Role and Grading Assignments</h3>
-
<p>Users can view the email link to download an attachment in Conversations without extra characters in the text.</p>
+
<p>Designers do not receive notifications to grade assignments unless they have permission to edit or view grades.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When users viewed the download link as part of a conversations notification, the download contained an extra % character in the URL. Canvas code has been updated to remove the extraneous character.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: In the To Do sidebar of the Course Dashboard, Course Designers were viewing notifications to grade assignments. This behavior occurred because enrollments were only coded as admin and student enrollment types, where Designer was grouped in the admin type. Canvas code has been updated to refactor grading notifications; grading is also specified by instructor and student course IDs to show graded assignments only to instructors.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Groups and Unpublished Courses</h3>
-
<h3>Recent Canvas Notifications Quiz URLs</h3>
+
<p>Students do not receive notifications for group membership unless the course is published.</p>
-
<p>In recent Canvas notifications, users can link to a quiz that needs manual grading.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: If a student was enrolled in an unpublished course and the instructor assigned the user to a group, the student was receiving a notification about the group membership, allowing the student to access the group before the course was published. This behavior occurred because Canvas was not confirming if the course was available (active) before sending notifications. Canvas code has been updated to not send group membership notifications for unpublished courses.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user receives a Recent Canvas Notification (the daily summary notifications), links to quiz submissions that require manual grading were missing the Canvas account domain in the URL. Canvas code has been updated to include the full URL path to the quiz submission.</p>
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
 
+
<h2>Outcomes</h2>
<h2>Outcomes</h2>
-
<h3>Alignments in MagicMarker</h3>
+
<h3>Prior Outcome Creation Warning</h3>
-
<p>Outcome alignments created in the MagicMarker app can be removed.</p>
+
<p>Users cannot edit outcomes that have been used to assess a student.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user created an outcome alignment in MagicMarker and later tried to remove the alignment in Canvas, the alignment created an error message saying the item type could not be identified. Canvas code has been updated to allow alignments to be deleted.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When users tried to edit an outcome that had already been used to assess a student, such as modifying the title, description, or point scale, Canvas generated an error message. This behavior occurred because of a change made to the Outcomes API on January 31, 2015, which set the assessment type default value as highest score, and some users wanted to adjust existing outcomes. Canvas does not allow outcomes to be modified if they have already been used to assess a student. Canvas code has been updated to disable the edit button for outcomes that cannot be modified within a course or account.</p>
-
 
+
<h3>Account-level Outcomes</h3>
-
<h3>Outcome Comments</h3>
+
<p>Users can view account-level outcomes if they have permission to view the page.</p>
-
<p>Instructors can comment on outcomes when grading an assignment.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user with permission to view account-level outcomes tried to view an outcome, Canvas generated a page error. This behavior occurred because the outcome was not properly aligning with the account. Canvas code has been updated to update the outcome alignment URL to allow context showing it is an account outcome. This fix was deployed to production on March 26.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a rubric is not selected for grading, instructors were not able to leave a comment on the outcome as part of a student’s assignment submission in SpeedGrader. Canvas code has been updated to allow comments on outcomes regardless of rubric grading status.</p>
+
<p>&nbsp;</p>
-
 
+
<h2>Pages</h2>
-
<h3>Graded Survey Comments</h3>
+
<h3>Content Selector and Student Pages</h3>
-
<p>Graded surveys always receive full points even after leaving a comment.</p>
+
<p>Students can edit course pages if they are given permission in the course.</p>
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor provided feedback to a specific answer in a graded survey, the instructor had to save the comment by clicking the Update Score button. That button regraded the graded survey as if it were a normal quiz, overriding the value of the survey and granting per-question points. Canvas code has been updated to retain the full point value after leaving a comment and saving the survey.</p>
+
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a course allowed students to create pages, students were able to insert a new page from the content selector, but the page could not be saved. This behavior occurred because of an inconsistency with the permission to edit course pages and the account-level permission to manage pages. Canvas code has been updated to confirm permissions to manage pages as part of course page edits.</p>
 +
<h3>Pages and Periods in Titles</h3>
 +
<p>Pages supports pages with periods in the title.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor used the content selector to create a new link to a new page, putting a period in the page title caused a page error. This behavior occurred because periods were not a supported symbol in page titles. Canvas code has been updated to support periods in page titles.</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
 +
<h2>Profiles</h2>
 +
<h3>Report Inappropriate Picture Link in Profiles</h3>
 +
<p>The Report Inappropriate Picture link always appears next to a profile picture.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When profiles were enabled at the account level, the Report Inappropriate Picture link did not appear. However, when Profiles were disabled, the link returned by the listing. This behavior occurred because of an error in the reporting links. Canvas code has been updated to include the Report Inappropriate Picture link for all profile picture listings, no matter if Profiles is enabled for the account.</p>
 +
<h3>Report Inappropriate Picture Link</h3>
 +
<p>Then Report Inappropriate Picture button reports a profile image as reported.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user clicked the Report Inappropriate Pictures button on a user’s profile, the button displayed an error message stating the image was not reported. This behavior occurred because of an error in the action response for the button. Canvas code has been updated to correct the click action and add a confirmation message that the reporting was successful.</p>
 +
<p>&nbsp;</p>
 +
<h2>Rich Content Editor</h2>
 +
<h3>Whitelist Language Tag</h3>
 +
<p>The language tag is retained as a whitelist element in the Rich Content Editor.</p>
 +
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When a user attempted to add an HTML comment, the language tag was being filtered about by the HTML editor. This behavior occurred because of an error in the Canvas whitelist sanitization dependency. Canvas code has been updated to support the language tag in the Canvas whitelist and all HTML elements. &nbsp;</p>
-
<h3>Correct Answers and Last Attempts</h3>
 
-
<p>When instructors allow students to view correct quiz answers after their last attempt, students cannot view correct answers until the last submission is complete.</p>
 
-
<p><em>Explanation</em>: When an instructor set the answers to be visible for a quiz after the student's last attempt, the student was still able to view the answer prior to submitting the last attempt. Canvas code has been updated to ensure the last submission is complete before showing correct answers. <em>This fix was deployed to production on March 2.</em></p>
 
<h1 dir="ltr">Next release schedule: </h1>
<h1 dir="ltr">Next release schedule: </h1>
<ul>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<li dir="ltr">
-
<p dir="ltr">Beta release and notes: 03/23/15</p>
+
<p dir="ltr">Beta release and notes: 04/13/15</p>
</li>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<li dir="ltr">
-
<p dir="ltr">Production release notes: 03/30/15</p>
+
<p dir="ltr">Production release notes: 04/20/15</p>
</li>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<li dir="ltr">
-
<p dir="ltr">Production release and documentation: 04/04/15</p>
+
<p dir="ltr">Production release and documentation: 04/25/15</p>
</li>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>

Revision as of 21:13, 31 March 2015

Production Release Notes for Saturday, April 4, 2015

Contents

Upcoming Canvas Changes

On June 6, 2015, the following changes will be made in Canvas:

New Features

Outcomes

Calculation Methods

This feature is used in conjunction with the Learning Mastery Gradebook course feature option.

Outcomes allows instructors and admins to specify one of four calculation methods used for student mastery in the Learning Mastery Gradebook and Student Learning Mastery Gradebook. Previously the only calculation method available in Canvas was calculating by highest score.

When viewing Outcomes at the Account, Subaccount, and Course levels, the current calculation method displays as part of the outcome data.

 

Decaying Average: Calculate the average of all aligned items while weighing the most recent item at a higher percentage. Traditional averaging weighs all assessments equally and does not consider the student’s current understanding, but this calculation assesses the current attempt while still recognizing prior attempts, which helps display trends in student learning. Ultimately, the overall score reflects the current level of understanding instead of the average of learning over time.

By default, the decaying average is set at 65/35, meaning the current item is weighted at 65%, and the average of all other user scores is weighted at 35%. However, users can specify between 1% and 99% for the current percentage, and prior scores are weighted against the percentage difference. Note that the average is rounded to the next two decimals.

For example, a student has four aligned items with scores of 4, 3, 2, and 5. If the current item is set to be weighted at 75% of mastery, prior scores are weighted at 25%:

 

n Number of Times: Require a specific number of times mastery must be met or exceeded and the number of aligned items that must be completed for calculation eligibility. Any scores that do not meet mastery are not part of the calculation.

By default, the item requirement is set at 2. However, users can specify between 2 and 5 items required for mastery.

For example, a student is required to achieve mastery 2 times with a mastery score of 5. If the student has scores of 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 3, and 6, only the scores of 5 and 6 would be part of the calculation.

 

Most Recent Score: Always use the score in the most recent item.

 

Highest Score: Always use the highest score in all attempts.

 

Notes:

For all existing Outcomes in Canvas, the default calculation is the highest score. Unless an outcome has not yet been used to assess a student, existing outcomes cannot be edited and must be re-created to apply another calculation method.

For new Outcomes created in the Canvas interface, the default calculation is Decaying Average.

 

Gradebook Display

Assessment scores display in the Learning Mastery Gradebook for each outcome according to the calculation method. Additionally, instructors can view the current calculation method as part of the Outcomes overview window.

 

Updated Features

Gradebook

Unpublished Courses and Grades

Instructors can edit the Gradebook while a course is unpublished. This feature reverts behavior that was previously adjusted in the March 14 release.

 

Learning Mastery Gradebook

Mastery Levels

This feature is used in conjunction with the Learning Mastery Gradebook course feature option.

In the Learning Mastery Gradebook, the Gradebook includes an Exceeds Mastery level, which is a score earned above the mastery threshold. Additionally, the Remedial level has been renamed to Well Below Mastery.

 

Rich Content Editor

Interface Update

The Rich Content Editor has been updated with the most recent interface design and ultimately update provides more backend functionality to support future upgrades to the Rich Content Editor.

The main feature of this upgrade includes better support for creating and deleting tables. Users can easily add, merge, and split table cells without having to switch to the HTML Editor. Rows can be added, copied, and pasted anywhere in the table.

The editor also supports directional text so users can insert content right to left. This feature can be added using the Right to Left button within the editor.

Beneath the Rich Content Editor window, users can view HTML elements for any selected content. This feature is beneficial for users who work with HTML and want to view or confirm placement of content.

 

Other Updates

Analytics

Student Submissions

For student analytics, the Assignments analytics section has been renamed to Submissions. Additionally, no icons are displayed for assignments that do not include a submission (i.e. not graded, on paper) or for assignments that do not apply to a student because of differentiated assignments. These changes were made because assignments that did not require a submission were always being shown as missing, and Canvas could not calculate whether or not a non-submission assignment was submitted on time.

Conferences

Enable Recording Button

When users create a conference, the checkbox to record a conference has been renamed to Enable recording for this conference. Some users were unaware that the actual recording button is within the Conferences interface and that marking the checkbox did not automatically record the conference. This change helps clarify the purpose of the checkbox, which simply enables the recording tools within the Conferences interface. Functionality for this feature is not affected.

 

Discussions

Discussion Creation Dates

Discussion creation dates have been modified as an instructor permission, meaning the student and observer views do not display the creation date for a discussion.

This change helps instructors copy course content without having to modify any Discussions content; only instructors can view the creation date for a discussion.

Additionally, when Discussions are copied in a course, the last post date will not display on the Discussions index page; the last post date was displaying as the creation date of the discussion. This feature is not currently in available for testing in beta but will be part of Saturday’s release.

 

Student Learning Mastery Gradebook

Mastery Count Indicator

Mastery Count Indicators are used in conjunction with the Student Learning Mastery Gradebook course feature option.

When viewing the Student Learning Mastery Gradebook, students see the outcome group and the number of associated outcomes. On the right side, the total number of outcomes are shown in gray; the left side shows the number of outcomes the student has mastered. The mastery count for the student now does not turn green until the student has started mastering outcomes in the group.

 

Fixed Bugs

Accessibility

General

Focus styles are now included in button states, buttons, tabs, and item groups in both the high contrast mode and default Canvas interface.

Announcements

The Announcements Settings Menu is labeled as a button for screen readers.

Keyboard users can collapse an individual reply to an announcement.

When a keyboard user tries to attach a file to an announcement, focus remains on the Choose File button.

The reply field for announcements displays the info icon next to the Rich Content Editor.

All Announcements elements on the index page are highlighted from left to right.

All announcement reply element buttons are highlighted from left to right.

When a keyboard user accesses the Settings menu and chooses a command, focus returns to the Settings menu.

Course Settings

In Course Details, the Description label includes a for attribute to indicate a course public description.

Course Setup Checklist

The Course Setup Checklist includes a screen reader message indicating when the checklist items are complete or incomplete.

Conversations

The People selection menu in Conversations displays a color contrast of 3:1 for the default Canvas interface and 4.5:1 for high contrast profiles.

Discussions

The Discussions Settings Menu is labeled as a button for screen readers.

Keyboard users can collapse an individual reply to a discussion.

Keyboard users can add and show rubrics for discussions.

When a keyboard user tries to attach a file to a discussion, focus remains on the Choose File button.

Each reply field for discussions display an info icon next to the Ri

All Discussions elements are highlighted from left to right.<

External Apps

The View App Center and View App Configurations buttons are highligh

Files

In New Files, users can identify and modify the current access restr

The Settings label has been changed to actions.

When closing a file preview, Files retains focus on the name of the file that was being previewed.

When a keyboard user attempts to rename a file but cancels the action, focus returns to the file’s name.

Keyboard users can view the file’s information in the preview window.

Modules

All items in the Modules Setting menu retain focus on the menu. When a module item is deleted, focus returns to the previous item; if the previous item was the last item in the module, focus moves to the Module’s settings menu.  

When closing the Modules edit window, Modules retains focus on the Settings menu.

When keyboard users view the Add Module button, focus is set to the first drag handle in the Module.

Outcomes

Keyboard users can access the Outcomes Edit menu to open and edit criterion.

Rich Content Editor

All shortcuts are correct in the keyboard dialog; users can open the dialog by clicking alt-F8. The information icon also includes hover text to open the help menu.

Rubrics

Keyboard users can delete a rubric. Focus is set to the view longer description link of the previous row. If there is no previous row, focus moves to the title input field.

 

Analytics

Course Analytics for Missing Assignments

Student analytics are not displayed for assignments that do not include a submission (i.e. not graded, on paper).

Explanation: Assignment types set to Not Graded were displayed as missing in Course Analytics. This behavior occurred because analytics was not coded to support Not Graded assignments and was also affected by differentiated assignments. Canvas code has been updated to remove submission icons for any assignments that do not include a submission or assignments that do not apply to a student because of differentiated assignments.

 

Announcements

Podcast Link

Users can access announcement podcasts if an announcement includes a video file.

Explanation: The Announcements podcast link broke when instructors added a video file to an announcement from the content selector. This behavior occurred because of a conflict in media definitions for each media type. Canvas code has been updated to leave out media objects if a media attachment is included as a reply.

Announcements and Course Activity

Disabling comments in Announcements does not affect course settings and activity logs.

Explanation: When an instructor disabled comments in Announcements, either through the Announcements Settings menu or the Course Settings page, the course activity log generated a report that the comments setting had been turned off. This behavior occurred because of changes to course public visibility settings. Canvas code has been updated confirm changes to course settings before updating activity logs.

 

Assignments

Differentiated Assignments and Gradebook Uploads

When Differentiated Assignments is enabled, Gradebook CSV uploads update new assignments and scores.

Explanation: The Differentiated Assignments feature option was conflicting with Gradebook CSV uploads; the upload recognized the assignment but would not update any student scores. Two uploads were required for the same CSV file before the grades would appear. This behavior occurred because the Gradebook was verifying scores for visible assignments, but with Differentiated Assignments, but some students were not required to complete the assignment. Canvas code has been updated to have CSV files verify if the assignment is visible to the student and ignore any student submissions that are not visible.

Assignments and External Tools

Clicking the Enter key in an assignment field does not launch the configure external tool window.

Explanation: When a user clicked the Enter (or Return) key in an assignments field, such as points, name, or automatic peer reviews, the assignment launched the configure external tool window. This behavior occurred because the class for the assignment fields was not defined as being for screen readers only. Canvas code has been updated with a clarified button class for screen readers.  

Assignment Groups

When adding a new assignment to an assignment group, the group retains any assignments added via drag-and-drop functionality.

Explanation: The drag-and-drop functionality in Assignments was causing existing assignments to disappear from the group until the page was refreshed. When an instructor created a new assignment group and then dragged an existing assignment to the group, adding a new assignment directly in the group caused the existing assignment to disappear. This behavior occurred because of an empty attribute value in the page display for drag-and-drop functionality. Canvas code has been updated to render a refresh to properly recognize drag-and-drop assignments.

 

Calendar

Undated Events

Canvas users can create undated events in the Calendar.

Explanation: Canvas users were not able to create an undated event in the Calendar. If a user removed the date, upon saving, the event auto-populated with the current date. This behavior occurred because the Calendar was not supporting undated fields. Canvas code has been updated to allow blank date fields and place the undated event in the Undated items list in the sidebar.

Syllabus and Media Comments

Users can load the course syllabus and calendar if a media comment exists in a Calendar event with varied due dates.

Explanation: Course users were unable to load the course syllabus and calendar when a calendar event with varied due dates included a media comment. This behavior occurred because event descriptions were not defined for the course. Canvas code has been updated to verify course context and allow media comments in varied due date event descriptions.

Calendar Assignment View

Users can view all content for an assignment in the Calendar.

Explanation: Assignments with very long descriptions were not scrollable in the calendar event window. The window pane continued beyond the dimensions of the window instead of stopping at a maximum height. This behavior occurred because the calendar was not defined with a maximum height. Canvas code has been updated to specify the maximum height and width on Calendar event windows as 160 px and 495 px.

Assignments and Saturday Due Date

In the Calendar, Assignments dragged to Saturday that are due on or after 11:31 pm post as a Saturday assignment.

Explanation: Assignments that were due on or after 11:31pm were not posting correctly when a user dragged and dropped the assignment to a Saturday. The assignment became grayed out and posted on Sunday. This behavior occurred because Canvas was enforcing a 30-minute window for calendar events, which adjusted assignments created after 11:31 pm to midnight (and wrapped the assignment to Sunday). Canvas code has been updated to only enforce the minimum 30-minute duration if the assignment is not due between 11:31 pm and 12:00 am.

Section Limits and Scheduler

Section-limited instructors can see course sections in Scheduler.

Explanation: Instructors who could only view specific sections of a course were not able to view the course in Scheduler. This behavior occurred because the Calendar was confirming the appointment group permission as all-or-nothing course functionality. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the appointment group permission while distinguishing between sections in the course.

 

Collaborations

Group Collaborations

Instructors can create group collaborations without being a member of the group.

Explanation: Instructors were not able to create a group collaboration without being a member of the group. Additionally, all user groups were being shown to the collaboration creator, even if the group was not part of the course. This behavior occurred because the groups permission was not verifying the user, both for creating collaborations and listing groups. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the manage groups permission for instructors and only show relevant groups for the course.

 

Conferences

Long-Running Conferences and End Now Dashboard Button

Users can end a long-running conference from the Course Dashboard.

Explanation: When a user had access to create a long-running (no time limit) conference, the activity stream on the course dashboard included a button to join or end the conference. Clicking the End Now button displayed a page of code content. This behavior occurred because the End Now button was not properly configured to close the conference. Canvas code has been updated to confirm closing the conference and includes a confirmation message.  

 

Conversations

Conversation Filters

Conversations can be filtered by course if a student and instructor share more than one course.

Explanation: When filtering Conversations by course, when a student and instructor had more shared more than one course, the messages were all filtered into the course with the lower ID number and were not visible as part of the other course. This behavior occurred because the updated time was not preloaded as part of the filter context, pulling older conversations that were no longer relevant. Canvas code has been updated to include updated tags as part of conversations context.  

Group Conversations

Group lists load quickly in the Conversation drop-down menu.

Explanation: When a user tried to view a group list in Conversations, the list of users was delayed in loading. This behavior occurred because all contexts were being loaded for the group recipients. Canvas code has been updated to refactor group user lists and load only relevant context.  

 

Course Imports

Essay and File Upload Duplication

Essay questions and File Upload questions are not duplicated as part of a course copy.

Explanation: When a quiz is copied into a course twice, and select content is selected in one of the copy types, Essay and File Upload questions were duplicating in the course. This behavior occurred because of an error with quiz question migration IDs. Canvas code has been updated to retain and verify quiz question IDs for course imports.

Syllabus Public Setting

Syllabi that are public on course copy are retained as public.

Explanation: When an instructor enabled the Make the syllabus for this course publicly visible option and copied the course, the syllabus option was not applied as part of the import. This behavior occurred because the public syllabus was not defined as a clonable attribute for course copies. Canvas code has been updated to preserve the public syllabus attribute and compare the settings when copying a course.

Moodle and Graded Discussions

Point values and graded options in Moodle advanced forums are imported to Graded Discussions.

Explanation: When a Moodle file was imported that contained advanced forums (graded discussions), the point value and graded options were not retained. This behavior occurred because Canvas required a more current code element to support Moodle files. Canvas code has been updated to include a more recent Moodle dependency.

Ungraded Discussions and Until Date

Ungraded Discussions retain the Until Date as part of course copies.

Explanation: Course copies were not retaining Until Dates in ungraded discussions, and users were required to adjust the dates manually when the copy had concluded. This behavior occurred because the Until (lock) date was not included as a migration element. Canvas code has been updated to add the lock date as part of course copies.  

Blackboard Matching Questions

Matching questions in Blackboard are imported into Canvas quizzes.

Explanation: When a Blackboard file was imported that contained matching questions in a quiz, the quiz displayed an error for the quiz. This behavior occurred because of an error when referencing quiz answer IDs. Canvas code has been updated to ensure the question IDs reference the correct quiz response.

Assignment Group Settings

When copying individual assignments, course copies do not associate updated information from the source course’s assignment group.

Explanation: When copying an individual assignment from a course that is part of an assignment group, instructors encountered a variety of error types. The new course applied rules to drop the lowest grade, even when no rule was set previously, and if the course copy included an assignment group with a changed name, the name would also update in the former course. This behavior occurred because of a change in course copy procedure in a previous release. Canvas code has been updated to copy individual assignments if the group where they were originally copied does not already exist in the destination course.

 

Course Settings

Instructors and Concluded Enrollments

When a course is concluded, instructors can still view all Course Navigation links.

Explanation: When a course was concluded by Term Dates, instructors could only view navigation items and files/folders available to students. If the instructor hid any Course Navigation links from students, those links were also not able to be viewed after their Term access ended unless the dates were overridden by course dates. This behavior occurred because the course was not verifying enrollment types for instructors. Canvas code has been updated to confirm enrollments within the course and not hide Course Navigation tabs for instructors.

External Apps

Users can view the External Apps tab and add new apps in Course Settings.

Explanation: The External Apps tab generated multiple behaviors within Course Settings. If a user opened Course Settings and the last open tab was External Apps, the apps tab would not load. When viewing an app, if a user repeatedly clicked the Save button when adding an app, multiple app entries were created. Leaving a secret field blank overwrote the external tool with a blank secret. And the external tool configuration screen domain would not display in the Canvas interface. These behaviors occurred because of recent changes made to the External Tools App. Canvas code has been updated to correct necessary configurations and app values

 

Dashboard

Coming Up Section

The Coming Up section of the Course or User Dashboard indicates the correct time.

Explanation: When they are more available items in the Coming Up section of the Course or User Dashboard sidebar, the link to display more items showed as more in the past week instead of more in the next week. This behavior occurred because the logic was being copied from the Recent Feedback section, which showed the past 2 weeks. Canvas code has been updated to display the correct time adjective.

 

Discussions

No Title Discussions and TurnitIn IDs

Discussions are not created for a course except through direct activity from a user.

Explanation: Some courses were generating discussions with no titles and no attached users. This behavior occurred in courses with enabled TurnitIn accounts, whose IDs were generating discussions for the course. Canvas code has been updated to only generate assignments via TurnItIn when applicable to the course.

Disappearing Discussion Comments

Editing a discussion reply retains all associated discussion comments.

Explanation: When a discussion reply was edited, all associated comments as part of the thread would disappear in the discussion topic. This behavior affected both threaded and unthreaded discussions and occurred because of a reply capture error. The reply held an instance of the parent attribute, as opposed to just referencing the parent, so the replies were removed when the associated reply was edited. Canvas code has been updated to track and retain replies after the API edit request is complete.

Group Discussion Attachments

Attachments in group discussions are viewable to all group members.

Explanation: When a user attached a file to a discussion topic as part of a group discussion, the attachment was not viewable to the rest of the group. This behavior occurred because the group attachment ID was not a proper group attribute. Canvas code has been updated to mirror behavior in course groups by defining the group attachment ID and copying all appropriate attributes from the parent discussion.

Podcast Link

Users can access discussion podcasts if a discussion includes a video file.

Explanation: The Discussions podcast link broke when instructors added a video file to a discussion from the content selector. This behavior occurred because of a conflict in media definitions for each media type. Canvas code has been updated to leave out media objects if a media attachment is included as a reply.

 

ePortfolios

Last Updated Timestamp

ePortfolios display the time of the last update.

Explanation: When a user updates an ePortfolio, the last updated field (as seen on the ePortfolios dashboard) was not being updated to reflect the most recent time. This behavior occurred because changes were not set to trigger an update. Canvas code has been updated to touch the last updated field when a change is made to an ePortfolio.

 

Files

Drag and Drop Files List

When Better File Browsing is enabled, drag-and-drop functionality is enabled for the entire folder window.

Explanation: When an instructor uses drag and drop to add a file to a course with Better File Browsing enabled, the droppable area was sized only as large as the list of files; empty areas were inactive. This behavior was especially noticeable for mostly empty folders and occurred because the drop space wasn’t expanding to the entire area. Canvas code has been updated with CSS to expand the files upload area.

Fullscreen Video Previews

When Better File Browsing is enabled, videos can be previewed in full screen.

Explanation: When a user attempted to preview a video file in full screen, the file disappeared completely but continued playing. This behavior occurred because of a height calculation error in the preview window. Canvas code has been updated to correct the container elements for the preview display.

File Upload Previews

When Better File Browsing is enabled, users can preview a file upload directly after uploading the file.

Explanation: When a user uploaded a file, relevant previews (such as images) did not appear until the page was refreshed. This behavior occurred because of an outdated file in React, a the JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. Canvas code has been updated with a newer version of React.

Slash in Files URLs

When Better File Browsing is enabled, users can load files with a slash in the URL.

Explanation: When a files URL included a slash, such as canvas.com/files/, the file would not load. This behavior occurred because of an outdated file in React, a the JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. Canvas code has been updated with a newer version of React.

Moving Files and Duplicate Names

When Better File Browsing is enabled, users are prompted to replace/change the name of a file if it is moved to a location with the same file name.

Explanation: When a user moved a file to a folder that had a file with the same name, Files did not create a prompt to  change the name or replace the current file. This behavior occurred because prompts were only coded as part of uploading files. Canvas code has been updated to view duplicate file names for moving files.

 

Gradebook

Grading Schemes

New grading schemes save with the included data.

Explanation: When a user created a grading scheme and saved the data, the grading scheme was being overwritten with the default scheme data but only affect the first save of the grading scheme; editing and re-saving the scheme retained all data changes. This behavior occurred because of a misalignment with grading standard IDs. Canvas code has been updated to clarify default data and grading standard IDs. Additionally, users cannot delete a grading scheme row if it is the last remaining row in the grading scheme, and when users save or delete a grading scheme, a confirmation message appears at the top of the window.

 

Modules

Module Menu Files Limit

When adding a file to a Module, users can choose from all files in the Files list.

Explanation: When a user added a file to a Module, some files in root folders were not appearing in the Files list. This behavior occurred because of an inconsistency in the API. Canvas code has been updated to support files as a React component, which is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces in Canvas. This change creates a folder and file store for interacting with the API and ensures that folders that do not contain any files are not shown in the Modules file list.

Group Discussions and Page Completion Requirement

Group discussion module items with the users must contribute to the page requirement show the module progression checkmark when the requirement is complete.

Explanation: When a Group Discussion assignment type was included in a module, and users were required to contribute to the group discussion before the assignment could be completed, the module item was not displaying the completed check mark and did not allow the student to progress to the next module item. Users were required to change the assignment type to submit the assignment in order for the permission to apply correctly. This behavior occurred because Modules were not coded to accept completions for course assessments in a group context. Canvas code has been updated to forward group actions to the main course discussion.

Manual Quiz Grades

When an instructor manually grades a quiz that is part of a module progress, students can advance to the next module requirement.

Explanation: When an instructor manually awarded points to a student for a quiz in the Gradebook, and the quiz was part of a module requirement, the Module did not allow the student to progress to the next module. This behavior occurred from an inconsistency in manual grading; in assignments, students could be rewarded a grade for a non-submitted assignment and accept the grade as a submission. Canvas code has been updated to evaluate quiz module tags and allow for manual grading to unlock quiz module requirements.

Module Pages and State Changes

Modifying the name of a page as well as the state of a page in Modules does not create duplicate pages.

Explanation: When an instructor added a new page to a module, published the page, changed the name of the page, and unpublished the page, the page was created as a duplicate in the Pages Index page. This behavior occurred because of a misalignment in page IDs. Canvas code has been updated to confirm all page IDs when modifying a page.

 

Notifications

Designer Role and Grading Assignments

Designers do not receive notifications to grade assignments unless they have permission to edit or view grades.

Explanation: In the To Do sidebar of the Course Dashboard, Course Designers were viewing notifications to grade assignments. This behavior occurred because enrollments were only coded as admin and student enrollment types, where Designer was grouped in the admin type. Canvas code has been updated to refactor grading notifications; grading is also specified by instructor and student course IDs to show graded assignments only to instructors.

Groups and Unpublished Courses

Students do not receive notifications for group membership unless the course is published.

Explanation: If a student was enrolled in an unpublished course and the instructor assigned the user to a group, the student was receiving a notification about the group membership, allowing the student to access the group before the course was published. This behavior occurred because Canvas was not confirming if the course was available (active) before sending notifications. Canvas code has been updated to not send group membership notifications for unpublished courses.

 

Outcomes

Prior Outcome Creation Warning

Users cannot edit outcomes that have been used to assess a student.

Explanation: When users tried to edit an outcome that had already been used to assess a student, such as modifying the title, description, or point scale, Canvas generated an error message. This behavior occurred because of a change made to the Outcomes API on January 31, 2015, which set the assessment type default value as highest score, and some users wanted to adjust existing outcomes. Canvas does not allow outcomes to be modified if they have already been used to assess a student. Canvas code has been updated to disable the edit button for outcomes that cannot be modified within a course or account.

Account-level Outcomes

Users can view account-level outcomes if they have permission to view the page.

Explanation: When a user with permission to view account-level outcomes tried to view an outcome, Canvas generated a page error. This behavior occurred because the outcome was not properly aligning with the account. Canvas code has been updated to update the outcome alignment URL to allow context showing it is an account outcome. This fix was deployed to production on March 26.

 

Pages

Content Selector and Student Pages

Students can edit course pages if they are given permission in the course.

Explanation: When a course allowed students to create pages, students were able to insert a new page from the content selector, but the page could not be saved. This behavior occurred because of an inconsistency with the permission to edit course pages and the account-level permission to manage pages. Canvas code has been updated to confirm permissions to manage pages as part of course page edits.

Pages and Periods in Titles

Pages supports pages with periods in the title.

Explanation: When an instructor used the content selector to create a new link to a new page, putting a period in the page title caused a page error. This behavior occurred because periods were not a supported symbol in page titles. Canvas code has been updated to support periods in page titles.

 

Profiles

Report Inappropriate Picture Link in Profiles

The Report Inappropriate Picture link always appears next to a profile picture.

Explanation: When profiles were enabled at the account level, the Report Inappropriate Picture link did not appear. However, when Profiles were disabled, the link returned by the listing. This behavior occurred because of an error in the reporting links. Canvas code has been updated to include the Report Inappropriate Picture link for all profile picture listings, no matter if Profiles is enabled for the account.

Report Inappropriate Picture Link

Then Report Inappropriate Picture button reports a profile image as reported.

Explanation: When a user clicked the Report Inappropriate Pictures button on a user’s profile, the button displayed an error message stating the image was not reported. This behavior occurred because of an error in the action response for the button. Canvas code has been updated to correct the click action and add a confirmation message that the reporting was successful.

 

Rich Content Editor

Whitelist Language Tag

The language tag is retained as a whitelist element in the Rich Content Editor.

Explanation: When a user attempted to add an HTML comment, the language tag was being filtered about by the HTML editor. This behavior occurred because of an error in the Canvas whitelist sanitization dependency. Canvas code has been updated to support the language tag in the Canvas whitelist and all HTML elements.  


Next release schedule:

Note: You can follow the release schedule on the Canvas Updates calendar

Archived Canvas Updates
Retrieved from "https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help/Canvas_Updates"
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