Canvas Updates

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In this update, instructors have new tools to help them better create Modules and student appointments in the Scheduler. Student notifications for anonymous peer reviews are completely anonymous.
In this update, instructors have new tools to help them better create Modules and student appointments in the Scheduler. Student notifications for anonymous peer reviews are completely anonymous.
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<h1>New Features</h1>
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<h2>Modules</h2>
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<h3>And/Or Requirements</h3>
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<p>When creating requirements in a module, instructors can give students an option between two or more tasks. This change allows students to choose which task they prefer to complete to demonstrate their learning and move forward in the course content.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Note:</strong> If you choose to use this feature for graded items, please note that all assignments with their current grades are reflected in the Gradebook. For instance, if a module requires a student to submit one of three assignments, the two assignments that aren't submitted still factor into the Gradebook as unsubmitted.
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If instructors would like students to select one assignment from a list of added module item requirements, the instructor may choose to manually configure assignments appropriately, either by using the differentiated assignments feature or excusing assignments as necessary in the Gradebook.</em></p>
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<p>To enable the And/Or option, instructors can edit a module, add a requirement, and select the "Students must complete one of these requirements" option.</p>
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<p>The requirement for the module appears as part of the module header (either Complete One Item or Complete All Items). Module prerequisites also appear in the module header.</p>
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<p>Students view the same information in the module header, showing them they must complete one or all items. Requirements are shown with the task item. The circles next to the module item show the state of the item. Blank circles indicate the requirement has not yet been completed.</p>
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<p>When a student completes the prerequisite, the module item changes to a green check mark icon. If the student fails the prerequisite, the module item changes to an orange dash icon. An orange icon can also mean the assignment is overdue. Students can hover over the icon to view the details about the item.</p>
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<p>The module header also indicates the status of the entire module. If a module includes requirements, an orange icon indicates the module has been started. A green check mark icon indicates the module has been completed. If a module doesn't include requirements, the status will not appear in the module header, but each module item will still indicate if an item (such as an assignment) is overdue.</p>
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<p>Modules still display gray text and a lock icon for modules that have not yet been unlocked.</p>
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<h2>Calendar</h2>
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<h3>Scheduler Comments</h3>
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<p>When students sign up for an appointment slot in the Scheduler, they can add a comment as part of the reservation. However, this field is optional. In the student's calendar, the student can view the submitted comments by viewing the reserved appointment group event.</p>
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<p>Instructors can view any comments left by students by viewing the reserved appointment group slot.</p>
<h1>Updated Features</h1>
<h1>Updated Features</h1>
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<h2>Announcements</h2>
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<h2>Assignments</h2>
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<h3>Cancel Button</h3>
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<h3>Peer Review Notifications</h3>
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<p>When instructors create a new announcement, the Announcements page includes a Cancel button. This change helps enable consistent behavior when creating content across Canvas.</p>
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<p>When instructors enable anonymous peer reviews, notifications sent to students about the peer review assignment are also anonymous. Notifications do not include the name of the student whose work is to be reviewed.</p>
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<h2>Discussions</h2>
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<h2>Quizzes</h2>
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<h3>Cancel Button<h3>
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<h3>Quiz Question Breakdown by User</h3>
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<p>When instructors create a new discussion, the Discussions page includes a Cancel button. This change helps enable consistent behavior when creating content across Canvas.</p>
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<p>When instructors view the breakdown of a quiz question, they can see the number of respondents for each answer choice. This statistic is in addition to the percentage of respondents. Instructors can click the respondents link to view the names of the students who chose each specific answer.</p>
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<p><em>This feature was originally suggested by the Canvas community.</em></p>
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<h1>Other Canvas Updates</h1>
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<h2>Files</h2>
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<h3>Student Submission Files</h3>
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<p>Students cannot delete user files if they are associated with a submission in a course. This change allows instructors to always download assignment submissions in SpeedGrader.</p>
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<p><em>This change resolves a fixed bug in Canvas</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a student submitted an assignment and then deleted it from his or her user files, the student's instructor was not able to download the submission file from SpeedGrader. This behavior occurred because downloads for student files are associated with the submitted file in the student's user files area. Canvas code has been updated to prevent students from deleting submitted files in active courses. This change also improves a fix originally added to the July 18 release related to student submission files and SpeedGrader downloads.</em></p>
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<h2>Gradebook</h2>
<h2>Gradebook</h2>
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<h3>Differentiated Assignments and Multiple Grading Periods</h3>
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<h3>Muted Assignments Total Column Icon</h3>
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<p>When an instructor uses differentiated assignments and the assignment dates overlap grading periods, the assignment appears in each appropriate grading period.</p>
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<p>As introduced in the previous production release, when an instructor mutes an assignment in the Gradebook, the Total column will display a warning indicating that the total score is different than shown to students. The icon has been changed to the mute icon to help differentiate between icons in the total column. This icon also takes precedence over the warning icon for weighted assignment group errors.</p>
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<ul>
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<h2>Languages</h2>
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<li>If a student is not part of an assignment in a specific grading period, the assignment is grayed out. </li>
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<h3>Maori</h3>
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<li>If a student is part of multiple differentiated assignments, the grading period shows the assignment in the grading period of the latest date. </li>
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<p>Maori is now a supported Canvas language.</p>
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<li>If a student is part of a differentiated assignment with no due date, the assignment appears in the last available grading period.</li>
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</ul>
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<h2>Modules</h2>
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<h3>Requirements and Sequential Order Placement</h3>
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<p>The Module requirements field displays the sequential order checkbox below the All Requirements radio button. Instructors can only require students to complete module requirements in sequential order if students complete all the requirements in the module. The One Requirement option is not supported.</p>
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<p><em>This change resolves a fixed bug in Canvas</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a module, added a few module items such as assignments, and required students to complete one module item, Modules did not allow a student to progress even if one of the module items had been completed. This behavior occurred because Modules doesn't support the module sequence option when choosing one module item to complete. Canvas code has been updated to only allow sequential order as part of the all requirements checkbox.</em></p>
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<h2>Canvas UI</h2>
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<h3>Quiz Statistics and Section Views</h3>
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<p>When instructors view quiz statistics for a course, they can choose to view quiz statistics by section. Filter the quiz by selecting the <strong>Section Filter</strong> button. <em>This feature was deployed to production on October 26. </em></p>
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<p><em>This feature was originally suggested by the Canvas community.</em></p>
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<h2>Numerical Answer with Precision</h2>
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<p>In Quizzes, the Numerical Answer question type includes an Answer with Precision quiz option.</p>
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<p>Answer with Precision allows an admin to set an answer that is rounded to a precision of up to 16 in standard or exponential format (e.g. 1e+26).</p>
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<p>Question answer fields accept numerical inputs with or without an exponent and are formatted according to the configured precision. Any numerical entries past 16 are truncated for grading and comparison. By default, the precision answer field is set to 10.</p>
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<p>If any of the potential answers to a numerical question is a precision answer, then the student answer fields will accept precision answers. If none of the possible answers are precision answers, then the student answer fields will continue to round to four decimal places.</p>
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<p><em>This feature was originally suggested in the Canvas community.</em></p>
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<p><em>This feature resolves a fixed bug in Canvas: </em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Numerical Answer question and included varied answers, the formula question was being inconsistent with how to factor answers that included decimals. This behavior occurred because even though the Numerical Answer answers were defined to support four decimals places, Canvas didn't know how to properly round some answers, meaning some answers would be cut off or be rounded to zero. Canvas code has been updated to include a Answer with Precision option as an answer choice in the Numerical Answer question type.</em></p>
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<h1>Fixed Bugs</h1>
<h1>Fixed Bugs</h1>
<h2>Accessibility</h2>
<h2>Accessibility</h2>
<h3>Assignments</h3>
<h3>Assignments</h3>
<ul>
<ul>
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<li>The online submission types include labels for each option and can be identified by screen readers.</li>
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<li>For assignment groups, each due date is wrapped in an ARIA landmark to clarify remove buttons with its associated group.</li>
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<li>The Add New Due Date button can be read by screen readers.</li>
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<li>After adding a rubric, focus is retained on the Find a Rubric link for screen readers.</li>
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</ul>
</ul>
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<h3>Announcements</h3>
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<h3>Dashboard</h3>
<ul>
<ul>
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<li>The Unread filter can be read by screen readers.</li>
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<li>In the New Canvas User Interface, course card subheadings are labeled as H3.</li>
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</ul>
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<li>In the sidebar, To-Do items can be read by screen readers.</li>
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<h3>Discussions</h3>
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<ul>
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<li>The Unread filter can be read by screen readers.</li>
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</ul>
</ul>
<h3>Grades</h3>
<h3>Grades</h3>
<ul>
<ul>
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<li>What-if Grades are accessible to keyboard users.</li>
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<li>Grading schemes can be read by screen readers. Edit, add, and remove icons are labeled, and tables can be read properly.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<h3>Modules</h3>
<h3>Modules</h3>
<ul>
<ul>
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<li>Screen readers can identify content items within a module.</li>
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<li>The Modules Index page includes headings for screen readers.</li>
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</ul>
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<h3>Notifications</h3>
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<ul>
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<li>Notifications display a color contrast of 3:1 for the default Canvas interface and 4.5:1 for high contrast profiles.</li>
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</ul>
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<h3>SpeedGrader</h3>
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<ul>
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<li>Screen readers and keyboard users can navigate to another student in the SpeedGrader student drop-down menu.</li>
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</ul>
</ul>
<h2>Assignments</h2>
<h2>Assignments</h2>
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<h3>Pending Turnitin Scores</h3>
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<h3>Complete/Incomplete Assignments</h3>
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<p>Turnitin returns a Turnitin score for student assignment submissions.</p>
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<p>Complete assignments retain their setting if the score is changed.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a student submitted a Turnitin assignment, Turnitin was not generating scores for some students. This behavior occurred because of an error with the Turnitin ID. Turnitin IDs were generated based on the local database ID, allowing two different courses from two different institutions to share the same student email. Canvas code has been updated to preserve assignments with the appropriate Turnitin ID that matches the course and user account. However, older courses may require a separate support ticket to resolve this issue. This fix was deployed to production on October 15.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an assignment of zero points was marked as complete in SpeedGrader, and then the assignment was edited and changed to a point value of one, the score would change to an incomplete grade. This behavior occurred because preserving complete/incomplete grades was only based on grades with zero points possible. Canvas code has been updated to preserve the set submission grade.</em></p>
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<h3>Restricted File Types and File Uploads</h3>
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<h3>TurnItIn</h3>
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<p>Allowed extensions listed in restricted file types are not honored if File Upload is not a submission option.</p>
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<p>Turnitin processes assignments with identical names.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created an assignment and selected the Restrict Upload File Types option without selecting the File Upload submission type, the assignment could not be saved. This behavior occurred because the assignment was looking for extensions in the restricted file types field. Canvas code has been updated to ignore any restricted file types if the File Uploads submission option is not selected.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created assignments with multiple names in Canvas, Turnitin was not able to process the assignment. This behavior occurred because the Turnitin API requires assignment names to be unique for any specific course. Canvas code has been updated to add the assignment ID to the end of an assignment in Canvas as part of the API call to Turnitin.</em></p>
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<h2>Authentication</h2>
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<h3>Microsoft Office and Shibboleth</h3>
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<p>Students can access Canvas links placed in a Microsoft Office document if their institution is using Shibboleth for authentication.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Word Document with links to Canvas pages, students trying to view the links through those documents received an error message. This behavior affected institutions using Shibboleth for Canvas authentication and occurred because Microsoft Office applications use an internal browser that tries to handle all online communication and cannot pass user credentials from previous sessions. Canvas code has been updated to provide authentication support in Microsoft Word documents.</em></p>
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<h2>Conferences</h2>
<h2>Conferences</h2>
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<h3>Concluded Enrollments and Conferences</h3>
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<h3>Student Groups</h3>
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<p>Users with concluded enrollments are not invited to join a conference.</p>
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<p>Students can invite other group members to join a Conference.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user in an active course invited all users to a conference, users with concluded enrollments were also able to join the conference. This behavior occurred because Conference was only pulling user IDs for the course. Canvas code has been updated to verify the state of users in a course.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a student created a conference as part of a group, when the student unchecked the Invite All Course Members checkbox, the member list was empty. This behavior occurred because Conferences was looking for the course roster and not the groups roster. Canvas code has been updated to change the checkbox for groups as Invite All Group Members and display the list of members in the group.</em></p>
<h2>Conversations</h2>
<h2>Conversations</h2>
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<h3>Missing Names</h3>
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<h3>Attachments</h3>
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<p>Conversations shows the names of all participants in a message thread.</p>
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<p>Attachments are sent in Conversation messages for all users.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a conversations message included a message sent to multiple users, the conversation was not displaying the list of all participants. This behavior occurred because of a caching error. Previously conversations cached the list of users in a message, which conflicted with the actual user display. Canvas code has been updated to remove caching from the participant list. This fix was deployed to production on October 15.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user with profiles in multiple accounts attached a file to a message in Conversations, the attachment appeared to be added but was missing for both the sender and the recipient. This behavior occurred because Canvas was not correctly identifying the user association with the file. Canvas code has been updated to retain the attachment ID and better support multiple accounts.</em></p>
<h2>Course Imports</h2>
<h2>Course Imports</h2>
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<h3>Module Requirements</h3>
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<h3>Concluded Course Imports</h3>
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<p>Exporting and importing a course with module requirements retains the module settings.</p>
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<p>Instructors can import concluded courses.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When the module requirement option was edited in a module (such as requiring one module item instead of all module items), exporting and importing the course was not retaining the edited module option. This behavior occurred because the requirement setting was not set as a copied element. Canvas code has been updated to retain the requirement count for a module.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor tried to copy a concluded course into another course, Canvas directed to the content migration page and displayed an error message that the course had not yet been published, even though the course had copied successfully. This behavior occurred because previous term dates were being inherited as part of the course. Canvas code has been updated to allow instructors to copy and view concluded courses.</em></p>
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<h3>Disable Comments Setting</h3>
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<h3>Question Marks in Titles</h3>
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<p>The Disable Comments on Announcements course setting is retained in course export.</p>
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<p>Question marks in folder titles do not affect images in copied courses.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor selected the Disable Comments on Announcements course setting and copied the course, the setting was not retained when the course was imported. This behavior occurred because the lock setting for announcements was not specified. Canvas code has been updated to retain the state of announcements in a course export.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user created a folder with a question mark in the title, added an image file to the folder, and embedded the image into the Rich Content Editor, importing the page into a new course broke the link to the image. This behavior occurred because Canvas couldn't detect whether the mark was part of the file name or a query string. Canvas code has been updated to support question marks in folder titles.</em></p>
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<h2>Course Setup Checklist</h2>
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<h3>Course Publishing and TAs</h3>
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<p>TAs cannot publish a course in the Course Setup Checklist unless they have the appropriate permission.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a TA opened the Course Setup Checklist, the TA could see the Publish option. This behavior occurred because the checklist was not verifying permissions to change the course state. Canvas code has been updated to hide the publish button from any user role that cannot change the course state.</em></p>
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<h2>Discussions</h2>
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<h3>Group Discussion Order</h3>
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<p>Group discussions are displayed by discussion ID, which may also be alphabetical order.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a group discussion and viewed the discussion group's page (/courses/:course_id/discussion_topics/:id), the group names were shown out of order. This behavior occurred because group discussions did not include any sorting parameters. Canvas code has been updated to order groups by ID. Depending on the group creation, ordering by ID may also be ordered alphabetically.</em></p>
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<h3>Concluded Enrollments and Replies</h3>
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<p>Users with concluded enrollments cannot edit their discussion replies.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor enabled the option for students to edit discussion posts, users with concluded enrollments were able to edit their discussion replies. This behavior occurred because replies weren't being restricted to concluded students. Canvas code has been updated to verify user state for discussion reply edits.</em></p>
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<h2>Files</h2>
<h2>Files</h2>
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<h3>File Upload Warning</h3>
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<h3>Subfolder File Previews</h3>
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<p>If a user navigates away from Files before an uploaded file is complete, Files displays a warning message.</p>
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<p>Users can view and preview all files located in folders with subfolders.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user uploaded a file and navigated away before the file was complete, the file was not shown as uploaded when the user returned to the page. This behavior occurred because the file could not upload completely without the user staying on the page. Canvas code has been updated to display a warning if a user tries to navigates away from the page.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: After a user previewed a file that was located in a folder with one or more subfolders, the first listed file disappeared from view. Additionally, some files were not able to be previewed at all. This behavior occurred because the file system was extending itself for additional files but not ensuring they were linked. Canvas code has been updated to retain links to all files. This fix was deployed on September 29.</em></p>
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<h3>Locked Files and Previous Access</h3>
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<h3>UTF-8 File Names</h3>
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<p>A file set to unlock after a specific time will unlock regardless of whether a student has already tried to access the file.</p>
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<p>Temporary file names are limited to the last 50 characters.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: If a student tried to view a locked file before the unlocked date, when the file unlock date had passed, the file remained locked for the student. This behavior occurred because of a caching error with viewing permissions. Canvas code has been updated to ensure the locked file date isn't cached beyond the unlock date.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user created a long file name with UTF-8 characters, Canvas generated an error message that the file name was too long. This behavior occurred because the temporary file in the user's local storage extended the file name because of URL encoding. Canvas code has been updated to limit the temporary file name to the last 50 characters.</em></p>
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<h3>File Search</h3>
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<p>Users can preview files that are filtered in the search field.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user searched for a file using the file search field, the file would not create a preview. Additionally, the search field affected Files Navigation and the user could not use Files without refreshing the page. This behavior was caused by an error in the modal window. Canvas code has been updated to preview files in the search field.</em></p>
<h2>Gradebook</h2>
<h2>Gradebook</h2>
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<h3>Gradebook Quiz Icon and Zero Points</h3>
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<h3>Learning Mastery Gradebook</h3>
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<p>Entering zero as a grade for an essay quiz removes the Q icon.</p>
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<p>The Learning Mastery Gradebook loads for courses with a large number of outcomes.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a quiz displayed a Q icon for manual grading, entering zero as a grade retained the Q icon and didn't save the score. This behavior occurred because the gradebook was not identifying a score of zero as being a complete grade. Canvas code has been updated to clear the icon with a manual score.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a course contained a large number of outcomes, the Learning Mastery Gradebook would time out, regardless of whether the outcomes had any alignments. This behavior occurred because the gradebook generated several database queries at once, which could cause conflicts. Canvas code has been updated to reduce the number of queries and improve gradebook loading and performance.</em></p>
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<h3>Message Students Who Haven't Submitted Yet</h3>
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<h3>Multiple Grading Period End Time</h3>
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<p>The Message Students Who Have Not Submitted option selects names of students whose assignments have been graded but are unsubmitted.</p>
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<p>The end time for a grading period defaults to 11:59 pm.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor manually grades a student's assignment without a submission, selecting the Message Students Who option was not selecting the student's name. This behavior occurred because the Gradebook was disregarding all students with a grade. Canvas code has been updated to include students without submissions regardless of grade.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: The grading period end time was defaulting to 12:00 am, which caused assignments with due dates that correspond to the grading period end date to not be included in the grading period. Canvas code has been updated to change the default end time for a grading period to 11:59 pm.</em></p>
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<h3>Export Links</h3>
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<h3>Dropped Scores</h3>
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<p>Exporting a Gradebook CSV does not overlap links for previous exports.</p>
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<p>Gradebook cell shading for dropped scores is accurate according to section.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: After exporting a Gradebook CSV and reloading the page, exporting a new CSV placed the link for the previous export on top of the export icon. This behavior occurred because of the assigned icon class. Canvas code has been updated to correct the icon class and only allow two list items in the export menu.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor viewed dropped scores for one section and then viewed another section, the Gradebook cell shading for the dropped scores was not refreshing with the new section. This behavior occurred because the matching section was not properly aligning with the filter. Canvas code has been updated to display shading according to section.</em></p>
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<h3>Everyone Else Grades and Grading Periods</h3>
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<h3>Student Grades Indicator and Unpublished Assignments</h3>
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<p>All course assignments appear in the Gradebook regardless of grading periods.</p>
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<p>The student grades indicator does not include unpublished assignments.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When using Differentiated Assignments, grades were only appearing when viewing the grading period with the Everyone Else date or when viewing all grading periods. Additionally, some assignments were not appearing at all, regardless of dates. These behaviors occurred because grading periods were not respecting assignment dates. Canvas code has been updated to allow grading period filters to respect assignment dates. This fix was deployed to production on October 15.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: In Course Navigation, the Grades indicator shows students when they have a new grade posted for their course. However, the indicator was also displaying counts for submissions attached to unpublished assignments, such as the Roll Call Assignment. This behavior occurred because the indicator was only disregarding assignments that had been deleted. Canvas code has been updated to disregard unpublished assignments in the grade indicator.</em></p>
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<h3>Muted Assignment Icon and Internet Explorer 11</h3>
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<h2>Languages</h2>
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<p>Instructors using Internet Explorer 11 view the Muted Assignment icon in the same size as all other icons.</p>
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<h3>Chinese Names</h3>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When instructors using Internet Explorer 11 opened the Gradebook and muted an assignment, the Muted Assignment icon appeared smaller than other icons. This behavior occurred because the icon size set to a specific size, which rendered smaller in IE 11. Canvas code has been updated to set the icon as a full percentage.</em></p>
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<p>Traditional Chinese names do not affect Files or the Gradebook.</p>
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<h3>Internet Explorer 10 Display</h3>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a course included a name with traditional Chinese characters, the Gradebook wasn't able to load submissions if the course language is also set to traditional Chinese. Additionally, some files were not able to be loaded. These behaviors occurred because of misconfigurations in locale names. Canvas code has been updated to rename Chinese configurations in Canvas.</em></p>
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<p>Instructors can view the Gradebook using Internet Explorer 10.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor opened the Gradebook using Internet Explorer 10, the Gradebook was not displaying in the browser. This behavior occurred because of a syntax error in the browser. Canvas code has been updated to correct the syntax and prevent Gradebook viewing. This fix was deployed to production on October 15.</em></p>
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<h3>Not Graded Assignments and Muted Assignment Icon</h3>
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<p>The Muted Assignment icon only displays in the Total column for graded assignments.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Not Graded assignment and muted the assignment, the Muted Assignment icon still appeared in the Total column even though the assignment did not affect student scores. This behavior occurred because the icon was set to display for all assignments regardless of type. Canvas code has been updated to only show the icon for graded assignments.</em></p>
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<h2>Modules</h2>
<h2>Modules</h2>
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<h3>Requirements and Sequential Order Placement</h3>
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<h3>Module Header and Prerequisites</h3>
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<p>Instructors can only require students to complete module requirements in sequential order if students complete all the requirements in the module.</p>
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<p>Users can view the name of a module header when the header also includes prerequisites.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a module, added a few module items such as assignments, and required students to complete one module item, Modules did not allow a student to progress even if one of the module items had been completed. This behavior occurred because Modules doesn't support the module sequence option when choosing one module item to complete. Canvas code has been updated to only allow sequential order as part of the all requirements checkbox.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a module included a long name, and the module was assigned several prerequisites, the prerequisites in the module aligned to the left and cut off the name of the module. This behavior occurred because of misalignment with the module heading elements. Canvas code has been updated with the new Modules And/Or feature and allows for proper viewing of module headers.</em></p>
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<h3>Modules Drag and Drop</h3>
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<h3>Incomplete Quiz Attempts and Must Submit Module Requirement</h3>
-
<p>Instructors can drag modules to the end of of the list in a course with multiple pre-existing modules.</p>
+
<p>When a quiz submission with multiple attempts meets the Must Submit requirement for a module, the module requirement is marked as complete.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor tried to drag modules to the end of the list in a course with multiple pre-existing modules, the module could not be dragged past the last newly created module. This behavior occurred because the drag-and-drop functionality was limited to the space of the module list. Canvas code has been updated to remove the container window for modules.</em></p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a quiz that allowed multiple attempts and added the quiz to a Must Submit requirement module, the module was being marked as complete after the first submission but marked as incomplete when the student began the second attempt. This behavior occurred because in module requirements. Canvas code has been updated with the new Modules And/Or feature and properly addresses module requirements and multiple attempts.</em></p>
-
<h2>Notifications</h2>
+
<h3>Published Modules and Student View</h3>
-
<h3>Notification Columns and Long Email Addresses</h3>
+
<p>Publishing a module publishes all unpublished files within the module.</p>
-
<p>Long email addresses do not misalign the email notification column.</p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an unpublished file was added to an unpublished module, and the module was published by the instructor, students were able to view the file as part of the module, but the file appeared to be locked. This behavior occurred because the Module was publishing the file state but not the actual file link. Canvas code has been updated to publish the file link along with the module item tag.</em></p>
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user set an email address as a notification method, long email addresses stretched the email heading and misaligned the notification column. This behavior occurred because of no width specification for the column. Canvas code has been updated to set a minimum width for the table column.</em></p>
+
-
<g2>Pages</h2>
+
-
<h3>View All Pages Button</h3>
+
-
<p>If a course does not show the Pages Course Navigation link, students cannot view the View All Pages button on the course home page.</p>
+
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When the Pages Course Navigation link was hidden in a course, students were able to view the course home page and click the View All pages button, which resulted in an error message. This behavior occurred because the View All Pages button was not aligned with the visibility setting for the Pages link. Canvas code has been updated to hide the View All Pages button if the Pages link is hidden for the course.</em></p>
+
<h2>Quizzes</h2>
<h2>Quizzes</h2>
-
<h3>Formula Questions and Decimals</h3>
+
<h3>Lock Questions after Answering Quiz Previews</h3>
-
<p>Instructors can specify the number of decimals for an answer in the Numerical Answer question type.</p>
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<p>When an instructor previews a quiz with the Lock Questions after Answering option enabled, instructors see a warning message.</p>
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Numerical Answer question and included varied answers, the formula question was being inconsistent with how to factor answers that included decimals. This behavior occurred because even though the Numerical Answer answers were defined to support four decimals places, Canvas didn't know how to properly round some answers, meaning some answers would be cut off or be rounded to zero. Canvas code has been updated to include a Answer with Precision option as an answer choice in the Numerical Answer question type.</em></p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor set the Lock Questions after Answering option in a quiz and then previewed the quiz, instructors were not able to see the warning message: "Once you have submitted an answer, you will not be able to change it later". This behavior occurred because the warning was not set to display for instructor roles. Canvas code has been updated to show the warning message for instructor quiz previews.</em></p>
-
<h3>Formula Questions and Rounding</h3>
+
<h3>Extra Time in Quiz Extensions</h3>
-
<p>Repeating decimals beyond two places are rounded up.</p>
+
<p>Instructors can view the extra time granted to individual students.</p>
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Formula quiz question and included an answer with a repeating decimal beyond two decimal places, any answers that included a five (such as 1.75) was being rounded down to 1.7 rather than rounding to 1.8. This behavior occurred because the decimal number wasn't being added to the computation correctly. Canvas code has been updated to round up with two decimals.</em></p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor extended a quiz and opted to give a student extra time, extra time was disappearing for all students except the first in the list. This behavior occurred because of a misconfiguration with the extra time hidden style. Canvas code has been updated to always show extra time for quiz extensions.</em></p>
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<h3>Quiz Questions and Auto Scrolling</h3>
+
<h3>Extra Time Quiz Options</h3>
-
<p>Quiz questions do not auto scroll to the last quiz question.</p>
+
<p>Instructors can view the quiz options when extending extra time in a quiz.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a student took a quiz with at least three quiz questions requiring a typed answer, the quiz was auto scrolling to the last quiz question. This behavior occurred because the last question input element of a quiz would automatically be focused. Canvas code has been updated to remove the autofocusing of question input fields. This change does not affect general accessibility features when taking a quiz.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor granted a quiz extension for a student and viewed the Extend Quiz Time menu, the minutes from option was not displaying the second option. This behavior occurred because of a code display error. Canvas code has been updated to show both quiz options in the quiz menu.</em></p>
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<h3>Numerical Answer Quiz Edits</h3>
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<h3>Past Quiz Previews</h3>
-
<p>After editing a Numerical Answer Quiz question, the input fields retain the correct answer type.</p>
+
<p>Instructors can preview quizzes with availability dates in the past.</p>
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor created a Numerical Answer question, selected an answer type, and then edited the quiz, each answer type included the input fields from the other answer type. This behavior occurred because the edit functionality was being applied to elements not part of the dialog window. Canvas code has been updated to correct functionality in maintaining various dialog elements.</em></p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor tried to preview a quiz with an availability date set in the past, Canvas created an error message. This behavior affected quizzes set to view one quiz question at a time and occurred because quizzes weren't set to be previewed when the submission was completed. Canvas code has been updated to allow previews for past quizzes.</em></p>
-
<h3>Course End Date Setting and Concluded Enrollments</h3>
+
<h3>Respondus Lockdown Browser</h3>
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<p>Instructors can view quiz results in concluded courses.</p>
+
<p>Users can exit the Respondus Lockdown Browser after completing a quiz.</p>
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an account enabled the Restrict Students from Viewing Quiz Questions after Course End Date option, instructors and TAs with concluded enrollments were also restricted from viewing quiz results in both the quiz and SpeedGrader. This behavior occurred because the restriction was not verifying permissions. Canvas code has been updated to allow users to view quiz questions if they have grading permissions.</em></p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: After a student completed a quiz using the Respondus Lockdown Browser, users were not able to exit the browser. This behavior occurred because of an outdated specification with the high security browser. Canvas code has been updated to allow users to exit the browser after a quiz submission.</em></p>
 +
<h3>Math Equation Editor Brackets</h3>
 +
<p>Scottish brackets are accepted in the Math Equation Editor's Basic View.</p>
 +
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor included Scottish brackets { } as part of a math equation, the equations did not appear in the equation. This behavior occurred because of an error with the unicode in the JavaScript. Canvas code has been updated to address bracket entries for math equations.</em></p>
<h2>SpeedGrader</h2>
<h2>SpeedGrader</h2>
-
<h3>Student Submission Downloads</h3>
+
<h3>Late Quizzes</h3>
-
<p>Instructors can download all student submissions in SpeedGrader.</p>
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<p>When a student is allowed multiple quiz attempts, only attempts that are submitted after the due date are marked as late.</p>
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<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a student submitted an assignment and then deleted it from his or her user files, the student's instructor was not able to download the submission file from SpeedGrader. This behavior occurred because downloads for student files are&#160; associated with the submitted file in the student's user files area. Canvas code has been updated to prevent students from deleting submitted files in active courses. This change also improves a fix originally added to the July 18 release related to student submission files and SpeedGrader downloads.</em></p>
+
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: With multiple quiz attempts enabled, if a student submitted a quiz before the due date and then submitted another quiz attempt after the due date, SpeedGrader was marking all attempts as late. This behavior occurred because Canvas didn't clearly define late submissions. Canvas code has been updated to specify late submission definitions and actions.</em></p>
-
<h3>Student Graded Status</h3>
+
-
<p>When an instructor enters a score for a student submission, SpeedGrader updates the student's assignment status with a green check mark.</p>
+
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When an instructor entered a score for a student submission, SpeedGrader still showed the submission as Needs Grading with an orange dot. However, once the page was refreshed, the green check mark icon displayed correctly. This behavior occurred because SpeedGrader was not verifying the submission state after a score was entered. Canvas code has been updated to verify the state of the submission after grading. This fix was deployed to production on October 14.</em></p>
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-
<h3>Google Chrome Speech-to-text Recognition</h3>
+
-
<p>The speech-to-text icon appears in SpeedGrader when using the Chrome browser.</p>
+
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: In Chrome, when instructors opened SpeedGrader, the speech-to-text recognition icon was not listed as a comment option. This behavior occurred because the field that included the icon was inadvertently hidden. Canvas code has been updated to set the speech recognition as a class selector that should always identify the icon element in Chrome.</em></p>
+
-
<h2>Syllabus</h2>
+
-
<h3>Syllabus Assignments and Events Differentiation</h3>
+
-
<p>In the Syllabus, graded assignments are shown in bold text.</p>
+
-
<p><em><strong>Explanation</strong>: When a user viewed the Syllabus, users could not differentiate assignments from events. Previously in the syllabus, graded assignments (assignments, quizzes, graded discussions) appeared in the syllabus in bold, while course events and non-graded discussions were not bold. This behavior occurred because of an inadvertent change while enhancing the performance of calendar events and assignment data. Canvas code has been updated to display graded assignments in bold text.</em></p>
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<h1 dir="ltr">Next release schedule: </h1>
<h1 dir="ltr">Next release schedule: </h1>
<ul>
<ul>

Revision as of 02:36, 27 October 2015

Production Release notes for Saturday, October 10, 2015

In this update, instructors have new tools to help them better create Modules and student appointments in the Scheduler. Student notifications for anonymous peer reviews are completely anonymous.

Contents

New Features

Modules

And/Or Requirements

When creating requirements in a module, instructors can give students an option between two or more tasks. This change allows students to choose which task they prefer to complete to demonstrate their learning and move forward in the course content.

Note: If you choose to use this feature for graded items, please note that all assignments with their current grades are reflected in the Gradebook. For instance, if a module requires a student to submit one of three assignments, the two assignments that aren't submitted still factor into the Gradebook as unsubmitted. If instructors would like students to select one assignment from a list of added module item requirements, the instructor may choose to manually configure assignments appropriately, either by using the differentiated assignments feature or excusing assignments as necessary in the Gradebook.

To enable the And/Or option, instructors can edit a module, add a requirement, and select the "Students must complete one of these requirements" option.

The requirement for the module appears as part of the module header (either Complete One Item or Complete All Items). Module prerequisites also appear in the module header.

Students view the same information in the module header, showing them they must complete one or all items. Requirements are shown with the task item. The circles next to the module item show the state of the item. Blank circles indicate the requirement has not yet been completed.

When a student completes the prerequisite, the module item changes to a green check mark icon. If the student fails the prerequisite, the module item changes to an orange dash icon. An orange icon can also mean the assignment is overdue. Students can hover over the icon to view the details about the item.

The module header also indicates the status of the entire module. If a module includes requirements, an orange icon indicates the module has been started. A green check mark icon indicates the module has been completed. If a module doesn't include requirements, the status will not appear in the module header, but each module item will still indicate if an item (such as an assignment) is overdue.

Modules still display gray text and a lock icon for modules that have not yet been unlocked.

Calendar

Scheduler Comments

When students sign up for an appointment slot in the Scheduler, they can add a comment as part of the reservation. However, this field is optional. In the student's calendar, the student can view the submitted comments by viewing the reserved appointment group event.

Instructors can view any comments left by students by viewing the reserved appointment group slot.

Updated Features

Assignments

Peer Review Notifications

When instructors enable anonymous peer reviews, notifications sent to students about the peer review assignment are also anonymous. Notifications do not include the name of the student whose work is to be reviewed.

Quizzes

Quiz Question Breakdown by User

When instructors view the breakdown of a quiz question, they can see the number of respondents for each answer choice. This statistic is in addition to the percentage of respondents. Instructors can click the respondents link to view the names of the students who chose each specific answer.

Other Canvas Updates

Gradebook

Muted Assignments Total Column Icon

As introduced in the previous production release, when an instructor mutes an assignment in the Gradebook, the Total column will display a warning indicating that the total score is different than shown to students. The icon has been changed to the mute icon to help differentiate between icons in the total column. This icon also takes precedence over the warning icon for weighted assignment group errors.

Languages

Maori

Maori is now a supported Canvas language.

Fixed Bugs

Accessibility

Assignments

Dashboard

Grades

Modules

Assignments

Complete/Incomplete Assignments

Complete assignments retain their setting if the score is changed.

Explanation: When an assignment of zero points was marked as complete in SpeedGrader, and then the assignment was edited and changed to a point value of one, the score would change to an incomplete grade. This behavior occurred because preserving complete/incomplete grades was only based on grades with zero points possible. Canvas code has been updated to preserve the set submission grade.

TurnItIn

Turnitin processes assignments with identical names.

Explanation: When an instructor created assignments with multiple names in Canvas, Turnitin was not able to process the assignment. This behavior occurred because the Turnitin API requires assignment names to be unique for any specific course. Canvas code has been updated to add the assignment ID to the end of an assignment in Canvas as part of the API call to Turnitin.

Conferences

Student Groups

Students can invite other group members to join a Conference.

Explanation: When a student created a conference as part of a group, when the student unchecked the Invite All Course Members checkbox, the member list was empty. This behavior occurred because Conferences was looking for the course roster and not the groups roster. Canvas code has been updated to change the checkbox for groups as Invite All Group Members and display the list of members in the group.

Conversations

Attachments

Attachments are sent in Conversation messages for all users.

Explanation: When a user with profiles in multiple accounts attached a file to a message in Conversations, the attachment appeared to be added but was missing for both the sender and the recipient. This behavior occurred because Canvas was not correctly identifying the user association with the file. Canvas code has been updated to retain the attachment ID and better support multiple accounts.

Course Imports

Concluded Course Imports

Instructors can import concluded courses.

Explanation: When an instructor tried to copy a concluded course into another course, Canvas directed to the content migration page and displayed an error message that the course had not yet been published, even though the course had copied successfully. This behavior occurred because previous term dates were being inherited as part of the course. Canvas code has been updated to allow instructors to copy and view concluded courses.

Question Marks in Titles

Question marks in folder titles do not affect images in copied courses.

Explanation: When a user created a folder with a question mark in the title, added an image file to the folder, and embedded the image into the Rich Content Editor, importing the page into a new course broke the link to the image. This behavior occurred because Canvas couldn't detect whether the mark was part of the file name or a query string. Canvas code has been updated to support question marks in folder titles.

Files

Subfolder File Previews

Users can view and preview all files located in folders with subfolders.

Explanation: After a user previewed a file that was located in a folder with one or more subfolders, the first listed file disappeared from view. Additionally, some files were not able to be previewed at all. This behavior occurred because the file system was extending itself for additional files but not ensuring they were linked. Canvas code has been updated to retain links to all files. This fix was deployed on September 29.

UTF-8 File Names

Temporary file names are limited to the last 50 characters.

Explanation: When a user created a long file name with UTF-8 characters, Canvas generated an error message that the file name was too long. This behavior occurred because the temporary file in the user's local storage extended the file name because of URL encoding. Canvas code has been updated to limit the temporary file name to the last 50 characters.

File Search

Users can preview files that are filtered in the search field.

Explanation: When a user searched for a file using the file search field, the file would not create a preview. Additionally, the search field affected Files Navigation and the user could not use Files without refreshing the page. This behavior was caused by an error in the modal window. Canvas code has been updated to preview files in the search field.

Gradebook

Learning Mastery Gradebook

The Learning Mastery Gradebook loads for courses with a large number of outcomes.

Explanation: When a course contained a large number of outcomes, the Learning Mastery Gradebook would time out, regardless of whether the outcomes had any alignments. This behavior occurred because the gradebook generated several database queries at once, which could cause conflicts. Canvas code has been updated to reduce the number of queries and improve gradebook loading and performance.

Multiple Grading Period End Time

The end time for a grading period defaults to 11:59 pm.

Explanation: The grading period end time was defaulting to 12:00 am, which caused assignments with due dates that correspond to the grading period end date to not be included in the grading period. Canvas code has been updated to change the default end time for a grading period to 11:59 pm.

Dropped Scores

Gradebook cell shading for dropped scores is accurate according to section.

Explanation: When an instructor viewed dropped scores for one section and then viewed another section, the Gradebook cell shading for the dropped scores was not refreshing with the new section. This behavior occurred because the matching section was not properly aligning with the filter. Canvas code has been updated to display shading according to section.

Student Grades Indicator and Unpublished Assignments

The student grades indicator does not include unpublished assignments.

Explanation: In Course Navigation, the Grades indicator shows students when they have a new grade posted for their course. However, the indicator was also displaying counts for submissions attached to unpublished assignments, such as the Roll Call Assignment. This behavior occurred because the indicator was only disregarding assignments that had been deleted. Canvas code has been updated to disregard unpublished assignments in the grade indicator.

Languages

Chinese Names

Traditional Chinese names do not affect Files or the Gradebook.

Explanation: When a course included a name with traditional Chinese characters, the Gradebook wasn't able to load submissions if the course language is also set to traditional Chinese. Additionally, some files were not able to be loaded. These behaviors occurred because of misconfigurations in locale names. Canvas code has been updated to rename Chinese configurations in Canvas.

Modules

Module Header and Prerequisites

Users can view the name of a module header when the header also includes prerequisites.

Explanation: When a module included a long name, and the module was assigned several prerequisites, the prerequisites in the module aligned to the left and cut off the name of the module. This behavior occurred because of misalignment with the module heading elements. Canvas code has been updated with the new Modules And/Or feature and allows for proper viewing of module headers.

Incomplete Quiz Attempts and Must Submit Module Requirement

When a quiz submission with multiple attempts meets the Must Submit requirement for a module, the module requirement is marked as complete.

Explanation: When an instructor created a quiz that allowed multiple attempts and added the quiz to a Must Submit requirement module, the module was being marked as complete after the first submission but marked as incomplete when the student began the second attempt. This behavior occurred because in module requirements. Canvas code has been updated with the new Modules And/Or feature and properly addresses module requirements and multiple attempts.

Published Modules and Student View

Publishing a module publishes all unpublished files within the module.

Explanation: When an unpublished file was added to an unpublished module, and the module was published by the instructor, students were able to view the file as part of the module, but the file appeared to be locked. This behavior occurred because the Module was publishing the file state but not the actual file link. Canvas code has been updated to publish the file link along with the module item tag.

Quizzes

Lock Questions after Answering Quiz Previews

When an instructor previews a quiz with the Lock Questions after Answering option enabled, instructors see a warning message.

Explanation: When an instructor set the Lock Questions after Answering option in a quiz and then previewed the quiz, instructors were not able to see the warning message: "Once you have submitted an answer, you will not be able to change it later". This behavior occurred because the warning was not set to display for instructor roles. Canvas code has been updated to show the warning message for instructor quiz previews.

Extra Time in Quiz Extensions

Instructors can view the extra time granted to individual students.

Explanation: When an instructor extended a quiz and opted to give a student extra time, extra time was disappearing for all students except the first in the list. This behavior occurred because of a misconfiguration with the extra time hidden style. Canvas code has been updated to always show extra time for quiz extensions.

Extra Time Quiz Options

Instructors can view the quiz options when extending extra time in a quiz.

Explanation: When an instructor granted a quiz extension for a student and viewed the Extend Quiz Time menu, the minutes from option was not displaying the second option. This behavior occurred because of a code display error. Canvas code has been updated to show both quiz options in the quiz menu.

Past Quiz Previews

Instructors can preview quizzes with availability dates in the past.

Explanation: When an instructor tried to preview a quiz with an availability date set in the past, Canvas created an error message. This behavior affected quizzes set to view one quiz question at a time and occurred because quizzes weren't set to be previewed when the submission was completed. Canvas code has been updated to allow previews for past quizzes.

Respondus Lockdown Browser

Users can exit the Respondus Lockdown Browser after completing a quiz.

Explanation: After a student completed a quiz using the Respondus Lockdown Browser, users were not able to exit the browser. This behavior occurred because of an outdated specification with the high security browser. Canvas code has been updated to allow users to exit the browser after a quiz submission.

Math Equation Editor Brackets

Scottish brackets are accepted in the Math Equation Editor's Basic View.

Explanation: When an instructor included Scottish brackets { } as part of a math equation, the equations did not appear in the equation. This behavior occurred because of an error with the unicode in the JavaScript. Canvas code has been updated to address bracket entries for math equations.

SpeedGrader

Late Quizzes

When a student is allowed multiple quiz attempts, only attempts that are submitted after the due date are marked as late.

Explanation: With multiple quiz attempts enabled, if a student submitted a quiz before the due date and then submitted another quiz attempt after the due date, SpeedGrader was marking all attempts as late. This behavior occurred because Canvas didn't clearly define late submissions. Canvas code has been updated to specify late submission definitions and actions.

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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