Canvas Updates
From e-Learning Documentation
Production Release notes for Saturday, November 21, 2015.
In this production release (November 21) students can view whether or not an assignment has been graded anonymously. All users will also see small design changes throughout several Canvas features.
Contents
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Updated Features
Assignments
Anonymous Grading Student View
Students can view whether or not an assignment was graded anonymously in SpeedGrader. Anonymous grading is set by opening SpeedGrader options and selecting the Hide Student Names in SpeedGrader checkbox. Notifications of the anonymous status are shown in both the student Grades page and the sidebar of the assignment submission page.
Other Updates
Assignments
Assignment Link
In the Assignments submission sidebar, the download link for the assignment is shown below the submission details link.
This feature was originally suggested by the Canvas community.
Submission Attachments and User Quotas
Student submission attachments are not counted against a user's quota limit
This features resolves a fixed bug in Canvas
Calendar
Assignment Publish Toggle
When creating an assignment in the Calendar, the publish button has been changed to a toggle, where the toggle on the left (default) means the toggle is not enabled. In the calendar, a toggle on the left means the assignment is not published. This change helps align toggle functionality throughout Canvas.
Dashboard
Sidebar Performance Improvements
Canvas has implemented Performance improvements to the Dashboard sidebar to improve speed and content data.
Settings
Feature Option Toggle
The Feature Options buttons have been changed to a toggle, where the toggle on the left (default) means the toggle is not enabled. In Feature Options, a toggle on the left means the feature option is not enabled. This change helps align toggle functionality throughout Canvas.
At the course level, if a feature is allowed to be enabled, the feature option includes a toggle. However, if a feature has been enforced at the account level by an admin, the course feature options displays the feature as On or Off.
SpeedGrader
Firefox Crocodoc Annotations
When an instructor uses Crocodoc annotations for a supported assignment submission type (primarily Word documents and PDFs), the Firefox browser frequently removes the last annotated comment when updating the score field in SpeedGrader. This behavior is a Crocodoc-specific limitation within Firefox that cannot be resolved by Crocodoc at this time. To warn about the effects of Firefox and Crocodoc annotations, Canvas displays a warning banner that says “Warning: Crocodoc has limitations when used in Firefox. Comments will not always be saved.” To avoid losing any annotations, instructors may choose to use another browser when providing Crocodoc annotated feedback, or try clicking the screen before navigating to another student.
Fixed Bugs
Accessibility
Assignments
- As part of creating assignment due dates, focus is retained in the input field of each due date set.
- When an assignment group is created, Canvas generates a message to show the group creation was successful.
Conversations
- Conversations retains focus indicators on the Reply and More Options buttons.
Dashboard
- For each dashcard, the container is labeled as a instead of a <header>. Additionally, terms are not labeled as links.</li>
- In the Settings menu for a course, each option includes appropriate aria values to indicate its functionality.</li> </ul>
ePortfolio
- ePortfolio buttons and links include labels to define editing, managing, removing, and renaming sections.
Modules
- Screen readers can read the Add Module button.
Quizzes
- As part of editing a quiz, the Cancel button is read as a button instead of a link.
User Settings
- When updating a profile picture, keyboard users can upload a file and navigate back to the profile page.
Assignments
File Uploads and Users in Additional Accounts
Students can upload file uploads for an assignment submission even if the course they are enrolled in originates in a different account.
Explanation: When a student tried to upload a file upload as an assignment submission, they were not able to submit the assignment. This behavior affected students who were enrolled in a course located in another account (through a trust setup) and occurred because of an error with the file redirect to confirm the submission ID. Canvas code has been updated to correct file redirects for user data originating in another account.
Save and Publish Button and Notifications
When an instructor creates an assignment but leaves the content unpublished, users receive a notification once the instructor publishes the assignment.
Explanation: When an instructor created an assignment but did not publish the assignment, editing the assignment at a later date then clicking the Save and Publish button was not generating a notification. This behavior occurred because notifications was not verifying the prior workflow state for the assignment. Canvas code has been updated to send out notifications for an assignment once it is published.
Automatic Peer Review Distribution
When an instructor assigns automatic peer reviews, peer reviews are distributed evenly across all students.
Explanation: When an instructor set an assignment with a peer review and chose the option to assign peer reviews automatically, peer reviews were being distributed inconsistently, where students were being reviewed more times and fewer times than other students. This behavior occurred because peer reviews were not being distributed according to a specific factor. Canvas code has been updated to use the peer review ID when automatically assigning peer reviews. The peer review ID is factored with the peer review count, so if a peer review is set to receive three reviews per student, the peer review ID will be used to count accurate distribution.
Submission Attachments and User Quotas
Student submission attachments are not counted against a user’s quota limit.
Explanation: When a student submitted a file attachment as part of an assignment submission, the file size was applied to the user’s quota, causing users with limited file space to exceed their quota. Additionally, any users who tried to delete a profile picture were unable to update their profile pictures. This behavior occurred because of a code change in the October 31 release that disallowed students from deleting any files submitted as an assignment, which also included profile picture uploads. Canvas code has been updated to not count submission attachments toward a user’s file quota.
Calendar
Scheduler Appointment Time Slots
When editing an appointment group, an instructor cannot edit the dates with the calendar icon.
Explanation: When an instructor created an appointment group and then edited the group, changing the time slots with the calendar icon appeared to change the dates but were not saved. This behavior occurred because time slots in the calendar cannot be edited once they are created. Canvas code has been updated to remove the calendar icon from time slots when editing an appointment group.
Scheduler Group Appointments and Group Memberships
Changes to group memberships are shown in previously created scheduler appointments.
Explanation: When a student is in a group and signed up for an appointment in the scheduler, the Scheduler was not updating the appointment if the student moved to another group. This behavior occurred because the scheduler was not verifying the user’s current group. Canvas code has been updated to use active group memberships in scheduler reservations.
Conversations
Send Message in People Page
Users can send a message from a course’s people page regardless of the course’s favorite status.
Explanation: When a user opened a course, viewed the People page, viewed a user, and clicked the Send Message button, the message was never sent. This behavior occurred because the message component was associated with the courses list and wouldn’t send if the course being messaged from was not a favorite course in the courses list. Canvas code has been updated to disassociate course favorite status with sending messages and launch messages from their associated context.
Course Imports
Discussion and Quiz Assignment Groups
Canvas retains assignment groups for courses importing select assignment and discussion content.
Explanation: When a user imported a Canvas course that contained an assignment group with no assignments (discussions and quizzes only), the course imported the content into a new assignment group called Imported Assignments. This behavior affected assignment groups that only contained quizzes and discussions, and where the import selected specific content as part of the import and did not affect course copy; the behavior occurred because quizzes and discussions were not properly considered to be assignments when imported as select content. Canvas code has been updated to treat all assignment types as assignments for group validation.
Dashboard
Coming Up Sidebar List
Coming Up events do not visibly conflict in the Dashboard and Course Home Page sidebar.
Explanation: When an instructor created events or assignments for a course, the Coming Up list in the Dashboard sidebar was not always matching with the sidebar in the Course Home Page. This behavior occurred because any hidden events or assignments (events that are in the future) were reloading in the other location, causing the sidebar to display more items than should be displayed. Canvas code has been updated to not cache hidden items in Coming Up events.
Discussions
Deleted Graded Discussions and Discussion State
Graded discussions that have been restored to a course are restored to their original state.
Explanation: When a graded discussion was deleted from a course in a published state, and the discussion was restored to the course, the graded discussion was displaying as unpublished on the Assignments page. This behavior occurred because Canvas assumed the discussion topics were already active and were updated to be unpublished. Canvas code has been updated to confirm the date of the discussion before restoring a discussion.
Group Discussions in Unpublished Courses
Group discussions do not send notifications if the course is unpublished.
Explanation: When a discussion was published in a group, but the group was in an unpublished course, group members were being sent ASAP notifications about the group discussion. This behavior occurred because the group was not verifying the status of the course. Canvas code has been updated to not send group discussion notifications in unpublished courses.
Files
Folder with Multiple Files
When a folder contains over 100 files, the Files page loads more efficiently.
Explanation: When a user opened a Files folder containing over 100 files, the files took a long time to load and even locked up the browser. This behavior occurred because of an issue with rendering file image thumbnails instead of the entire file. Canvas code has been updated to improve page functionality when view multiple files.
Grades
Student Grades Counter and Deleted Assignments
When a graded quiz or assignment is deleted from a course, Course Navigation refreshes the Grades indicator for associated assignments.
Explanation: If a student took a quiz or submitted an assignment, and the quiz or assignment was deleted, the Grades counter in Course Navigation did not decrease the grade count accordingly. This behavior occurred of a caching error in the Canvas server. Canvas code has been updated to refresh grade indicators for any deleted assignments.
Safari Browser and Student Grades
In Safari, users can view grades when hovering over assignment scores.
Explanation: When a student used the Safari browser and viewed Grades for a course, hovering over the score caused the grades to disappear. This behavior occurred because the hover font weight was set to bold, which affected the grades view. Canvas code has been updated to always show grades when hovering over grades.
Gradebook
Total Column Options
When an instructor hovers over the Total Column, the options appear in the drop-down menu
Explanation: When an instructor hovered over the Gradebook Totals Column, the drop-down menu was not appearing. This behavior occurred because hovering over the column re-rendered the options attached to the menu, which removed them from view. Canvas code has been updated to reattach Total Column options to the menu.
Concluded Courses and Download All Submissions Button
Instructors can download submissions from concluded courses.
Explanation: When an instructor viewed a concluded course and clicked the Download All Submissions button, the download failed. This behavior occurred because Canvas wasn’t verifying the current user course permissions. Canvas code has been updated to allow user to download submissions if they have the View All Grades permission.
Modules
Overdue Icon
Modules displays the overdue icon only if a student does not have a submission for the assignment.
Explanation: When a student viewed the Modules page, the page displayed the overdue icon for all assignments with due dates in the past. This behavior occurred because Modules was not verifying assignment submissions. Canvas code has been updated to not show the overdue icon if a submission exists for an assignment.
Modules and Visible Completion Requirements
Modules only display completion requirement types relating to the items added to the module.
Explanation: When an instructor created a module and included a module item, Modules was displaying every completion requirement type even if the requirement wasn’t related to that item. This behavior allowed instructors to set incompatible requirements with module items, which weren’t saved and were set with no requirements. This behavior occurred because modules weren’t verifying Must Contribute options within the module. Canvas code has been updated to filter module requirement types when adding module items.
Outcomes
Account-Level Outcomes and Course Permissions
Instructors can delete imported account-level outcomes if they have not yet been used in the course.
Explanation: When an account-level outcome was imported into a course, instructors could not delete an outcome that was not being used in the course. This behavior occurred because account-level outcomes are set as read-only, causing the Delete button to be hidden by default. Canvas code has been updated to allow instructors to delete imported outcomes if unused in the course.
Outcomes and Rubrics
Account-level outcomes can be deleted from a course as long as the outcome does not have any course associations.
Explanation: When an account-level outcome was imported into a course, and an instructor created an assignment, added a rubric, added the outcome to the rubric, then deleted the assignment, the instructor was not able to remove the outcome from the course even though it wasn’t used to assess an assignment. This behavior occurred because the rubric was still considered to be associated with the outcome. Canvas code has been updated to destroy all associations for a rubric if its associated assignment is deleted.
Deleted Outcomes and Learning Mastery Gradebook
The Learning Mastery Gradebook does not display outcome results for deleted outcomes.
Explanation: When an instructor graded a student with an outcome, the outcome appeared in the Learning Mastery Gradebook. However, if the outcome was removed from the rubric, if the assignment was deleted, or if the rubric was deleted, the outcome grade was still appearing in the Learning Mastery Gradebook. This behavior occurred because the Gradebook was not confirming the state of the outcome. Canvas code has been updated to not show outcomes from deleted rubrics.
Quizzes
Ungraded Surveys and Point Values
Ungraded surveys do not display point values.
Explanation: When an instructor created an ungraded survey with questions that were assigned point values, the point values reflected as the point total for the quiz. This behavior occurred because surveys were being treated as other quiz types where point values are displayed. Canvas code has been updated to hide points possible for ungraded surveys.
Ungraded Quiz UI Mismatch
Ungraded quizzes don’t refer to correct answer choices.
Explanation: When an instructor created a multiple choice question in an ungraded survey, the quiz question referred to correct answers, which was confusing as ungraded surveys do not have correct answers. This behavior occurred because the quiz inherited the settings from the question type. Canvas code has been updated to recognize ungraded quizzes as a survey and not refer to correct answers when applicable.
Embedded Media and Updated Quizzes
Instructors can update a quiz question containing uploaded/recorded media.
Explanation: When an instructor created a quiz that included uploaded/recorded media, clicking Update Question (without saving the quiz) and editing the question again would not allow the media to be played. This behavior occurred because of an error with the quiz question API and properly translating the quiz question content. Canvas code has been updated to retain media HTML for question entries.
Symbols and Quiz Answers
Quizzes display <, >, and & in quiz questions.
Explanation: When a user entered a lesson than, greater than, or ampersand into a quiz question answer, the characters displayed in an encoded version causing the symbols to disappear. This behavior occurred because of an error with the quiz question API and properly translating HTML content. Canvas code has been updated to include symbol characters in question answers.
Instructor Grade Notifications
In Course Navigation, instructors do not see grade notifications after taking a quiz.
Explanation: When an instructor took a quiz in Canvas, a grade indicator appeared in Course Navigation but it could not be removed. This behavior occurred because Canvas is designed to generate grade indicators with automatically scored quizzes. Canvas code has been updated to not generate grade indicators for users with an instructor role.
Rich Content Editor
Preformatted Text
When editing a page, preformatted text appears in the Rich Content Editor.
Explanation: When a user created or edited a page and tried to use the pre-formatted text option, the paragraph text wasn’t changing to the pre-formatted format. This behavior occurred because of an error with the preformatted font family. Canvas code has been updated to support preformatted text in the Rich Content Editor.
SpeedGrader
File Attachments and Comment Submissions
The attachment icon does not autosubmit comments in SpeedGrader.
Explanation: When an instructor clicked the paper clip icon to attach a file, the icon submitted any existing text or a previously added file attachment. This behavior occurred because of an error with the button command in the JavaScript file where SpeedGrader was creating hidden separate comment boxes. Canvas code has been updated to disassociate attachments from comment autosubmissions.
Rubric Scrolling
The rubric window in SpeedGrader scrolls independently of the student submission.
Explanation: When an instructor used a rubric in SpeedGrader and tried to scroll to view the contents of the rubric, the rubric was scrolling the entire page instead of the rubric window content. This behavior occurred because the rubric window did not contain a height specification. Canvas code has been updated to adjust the height of the window to 100% and allow overflow content to scroll.
SpeedGrader Auto Downloads
SpeedGrader does not automatically download Photoshop files.
Explanation: When students submitted large Photoshop files that couldn’t be previewed, SpeedGrader automatically downloaded the file. This behavior occurred because image types that couldn’t be previewed were tagged with the download parameter, including Photoshop images. Canvas code has been updated to exclude PSD files from automatic downloads.
Document Previewer and Peer-Reviewed Assignments
The Canvas document previewer generates file previews for peer-review assignments.
Explanation: When a student submitted a file as part of a peer-reviewed file upload assignment, if the file attempted to render in the document previewer, such as with a Rich Text Format document, the previewer generated an error message. This behavior occurred because of a typo in the previewer file method confirming whether or not peer reviews were present. Canvas code has been updated to preview files used with peer review assignments.
Student Graded Status for Manually Graded Quiz Questions
When an instructor enters a score for a manually graded quiz question, SpeedGrader updates the student’s assignment status with a green check mark.
Explanation: When an instructor graded a manual quiz question, such as an essay, 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 of a regression caused by an upcoming Canvas feature. Canvas code has been updated to update the status icon when scores are applied in a manually graded quiz.
Next release schedule:
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Beta release and notes: 11/30/15
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Production release notes: 12/07/15
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Production release and documentation: 12/12/15
Note: You can follow the release schedule on the Canvas Updates calendar
Archived Canvas Updates - In the Settings menu for a course, each option includes appropriate aria values to indicate its functionality.</li> </ul>
