Features in Canvas

In addition to the robust features in Canvas, JHU has approved some great new features released at the start of a new term.  There are additional features from the vendor in continuous improvement of Canvas.

New University-Wide Features

Released on 3/16/2024

  • Gradebook – Multi-Select Gradebook Filters – In the Gradebook, instructors can choose multiple filter options for each filter type.
  • This improves the user experience by streamlining the process of managing filter selections, offering increased customization options, and facilitating faster filter navigation.
  • Instructors can select multiple filter options when viewing the Gradebook. Additionally, Instructors can manage selections directly from the pill in the Gradebook.
Gradebook Multi Select Filters -  Instructors can select multiple filter options when viewing the Gradebook.

Released on 2/28/2024

  • Interface Updates – Assignments – Mastery Path Icon – When Mastery Paths is enabled, module items display the Mastery Paths icon.
    • This update allows instructors to easily identify Mastery Path module items.
    • After this update, in Modules, the Mastery Paths icon displays.
Mastery Paths Module Icon
  • Rich Content Editor – Removal of Non-Web Safe Font Options – The Rich Content Editor font options are updated to only include web-safe fonts available on all systems.
    • This update removes the following fonts from the RCE: Andale Mono, Book Antiqua, Comic Sans MS, Helvetica, Impact, Symbol, Terminal, Webdings, Wingdings.
    • It ensures all users view the same font and does not impact any current user content.
      • If a custom font is currently applied to content, it will persist after the update.
    • While there is the option to choose any font in the RCE’s HTML editor, there is no assurance that every recipient of the content will have that specific font installed to view it.

Released on 2/14/2024

  • New Analytics – User Interface Update – The New Analytics page displays an updated user interface.
  • This enhances coherence with the overall Canvas interface. In the Course Analytics page, the page title changed, a course status pill is added (past courses), and Average Course Grade data is moved.
  • In New Analytics, the As of time and date stamp is removed from the user interface. This enhances the user experience by eliminating inaccuracies in the time and date stamp. 
    • The previous time and date stamp displayed when data last began processing, not when it was complete, which could be delayed 24 hours. 
New Analytics User Interface Updates

Released on 1/31/2024

  • Modules – Unpublish Module Only – In Modules, instructors have the option to unpublish a module only. This is available in the Publish All drop-down menu and individual module drop-down menus.
  • This allows instructors to unpublish the module while leaving items within the module still published.
  • In the publishing drop-down menu, instructors have the option to unpublish the module only.

Released on 1/17/2024

  • Calendar – Event Times can be Input Manually – When creating or editing an event, users can manually input event times. Additionally, the time increments in the drop-down menu are changed to 15 minute increments. It provides the option to create time frames outside of the default 15 minute increment drop-down menu options.
    • To enter event times manually, click the From or To fields and enter the desired event time.
Calendar From Time Drop-Down Menu
  • Grades – Submitted Date Column – In the Grades page, a submitted column displays the date an assignment is submitted. It allows students to easily view when an assignment was submitted.
    • In the Grades page, submission dates display in the submitted column. If an assignment allows multiple attempts, the column only displays the most recent submission date.
  • RCE – Course File Hover Displays Entire File Name – When viewing course files with long and similar names in the Rich Content Editor (RCE), users can hover over the file name to view the full name.
    • This allows users to easily differentiate between similar long file names.
    • When viewing All Files in the Rich Content Editor (RCE), hover over the desired file link to view the entire file name. This update is not available for file folders.
  • RCE – Height and Width Attributes Supported – When using HTML in the Rich Content Editor, width and height attributes on <source> are supported.
    • This update prevents content on the page from rearranging during image loading. In the Rich Content Editor, users can edit the height and width when using source tags. This enhances the user experience by ensuring that the necessary space is predetermined before loading occurs.

Released on 12/6/2023

  • Calendar – Duplicate Events for Sections – In the Calendar, users can create and edit duplicate events for different sections of a course, optimizing scheduling and improving user workflows.
  • Note, this behavior is duplicating single events and not creating recurring events. This behavior was previously removed and has been reinstated.
    • When creating an event, click the More Options button.
When creating an event, click the More Options button.
  • Select the Use a different date for each section checkbox, then enter the desired date and time for each section. Additionally, select the Duplicate checkbox and enter the desired frequency.
Select the Use a different date for each section checkbox, then enter the desired date and time for each section. Additionally, select the Duplicate checkbox and enter the desired frequency.

Released on 11/22/2023

  • All Courses and All Groups – Displayed First – Easier to Access in Navigation – In the Global Navigation, All Courses and All Groups links display first in Courses and Group trays.
  • This update improves experience by creating easier access to these links as they display first.
Global Navigation Courses All Courses Link

Released on 10/25/2023

  • Discussion Push Notifications – Discussion New Topics and New Replies – In Notifications, users can enable Push Notifications for Discussion New Topics and New Replies.
  • This update allows users to set up notifications for new topics or new replies in a discussion.
This update allows users to set up notifications for new topics or new replies in a discussion.

Released on 10/21/2023

  • Calendar – Recurring Events – In the Calendar, users can create and edit recurring events.
    • This feature optimizes scheduling and improves user workflows.
    • When adding or editing an event in a calendar, users can select the frequency using the drop-down menu in the Edit Event modal. Each frequency selection has an occurrence default.
      • Users can have a maximum of 400 occurrences.
        • Daily = 365 (days in a year)
        • Weekly = 52 (weeks in a year)
        • Monthly = 12 (Months in a year)
        • Annually = 5 (The event will occur for five years)
        • Every weekdays = 52 * 5 (weeks in a year * weekdays)
    • When the custom option is selected, a modal displays allowing users to customize the frequency of the event. Additionally, users can edit or update the frequency of an event on the More Options page. When a user has selected the Use a different date for each section checkbox, the frequency option is removed.
    • When deleting a recurring event, a modal displays where users can select which events are deleted. When editing a recurring event, a modal displays where users can select which events are updated. Additionally, Recurring Calendar Events are not available for appointment groups. 
When the custom option is selected, a modal displays allowing users to customize the frequency of the event

Released on 9/27/2023

  • Announcements – Delayed Posting Save Button – When creating a delayed announcement, the Publish button is updated to display as Save, clarifying the intended behavior of the button.
  • In an announcement, when the delay posting date is set in the future, the Publish button text is changed to Save.
  • If its checkbox is unchecked or the date set is in the past, the button text displays Publish.
In an announcement, when the delay posting date is set in the future, the Publish button text is changed to Save.  If its checkbox is unchecked or the date set is in the past, the button text displays Publish.

Released on 9/16/2023

  • Editing Page Title Updates URLs – In Pages, when editing a page title, all links to that page will automatically update in a Canvas course.
  • This update improves Instructor workflow and reduces the need to update page links manually.
    • In Pages, edit the title of an existing page. When clicking the original link, the URL is automatically updated and leads to the page with the updated title.
    • The URL is updated with the new title. The existing text of a link does not update automatically.
  • Release Screencast: Pages Editing Page Title Updates URLs (Screencast from Instructure – Vendor)

Released on 8/30/2023

  • Apple iWork file previews are now available – iWork files (.pages, .numbers, and .key) can be uploaded via Canvas apps on iOS or the web and they will now preview in Canvas’s DocViewer.
  • With this feature enhancement, students can submit iWork files for their assignment directly into Canvas and the instructor can now view and annotate them in SpeedGrader, in addition to downloading the original iWork file, as was previously available.
  • Additionally, this enhancement allows instructors to create Student Annotation assignments and provide an iWork file for students to annotate and submit.
  • Please note that iWork submissions created prior to August 30, 2023, will not automatically convert; the file will need to be re-uploaded to enable the preview.

Released on 8/30/2023

  • Gradebook – Section Filter Sorts Alphabetically – In the Gradebook, when filtering by section, section titles are displayed alphabetically.
  • This update allows instructors to quickly navigate the list of sections.

Released on 8/30/2023

  • Rich Content Editor – Course Links Modal – New Links – In the Rich Content Editor, the Course Link modal is updated with a Content Type icon and a link to create an item.
  • This update improves the instructor workflow by easily navigating to the appropriate areas to create content from the Rich Content Editor Course Link modal.
  • When adding a course link, you can add a new item by clicking the Add One link for course link options with nothing added yet.
When adding a course link, you can add a new item by clicking the Add One link for course link options with nothing added yet.

Released on 8/19/2023

You can use Enhanced Gradebook Filters to create and apply gradebook filters using an updated interface.

Released on 8/19/2023

  • Rich Content Editor Update – Edit Course Link Sidebar Update – When editing a course link, the sidebar is updated to allow users to view the name of the current link and choose a replacement from all available course links. Note, this only for new course links added via RCE since this update.
  • This update allows users to quickly and efficiently update course links.
Edit Course Link Sidebar
  • When editing a course link, to update a link, view the name of the current link [1], choose a replacement link [2] and click the Replace button [3].
  • Previously, you could only update the text and view the link URL within the course.

Released on 8/16/2023

  • Inbox – Number of Recipients – In the Inbox, when composing a message to all members with a specific user role in a course, the number of users in that specific role displays.
  • This update allows users to view how many people will receive the message in a specific user role.
In the Inbox, when composing a message to all members with a specific user role in a course, the number of users in that specific role displays. This update allows users to view how many people will receive the message in a specific user role.

Released on 8/2/2023

  • Announcements – Warning – Unpublished Course – When creating an Announcement in an unpublished course, a warning displays that notifications are not sent retroactively.
    • When creating an Announcement in an unpublished course, a warning displays. This update clarifies announcement notification expectations in unpublished courses.
  • Announcements – Warning – Editing Announcements – When editing an Announcement, a warning displays that the user will not receive notification of the update. To receive updated notifications for edited announcements via the notifications settings, a new announcement must be created.
    • When editing an Announcement, a warning displays. This update clarifies announcement notification expectations for edits made to Announcements.

Released on 6/21/2023

  • External Tools Assignment Add Rubric Button – After creating an assignment using an external tool, the Add Rubric button is available, so instructors can add a rubric to an external tool assignment.
    • After creating a new assignment with an external tool, the Add Rubric button displays.
    • Previously, the Add Rubric button was unavailable for external tool assignments and instructors were required to use a workaround to add the rubric to the assignment.
After creating a new assignment with an external tool, the Add Rubric button displays. Previously, the Add Rubric button was unavailable for external tool assignments and instructors were required to use a workaround to add the rubric to the assignment.

Released on 6/17/2023

  • Bulk Publish and Unpublish Module Items – In Modules, instructors can bulk publish all modules or individual modules. Instructors have the option to publish all modules and items, publish all modules only, or unpublish all modules and items.
    • Additionally, the publish icon on individual modules is updated to include a Module status menu. This menu includes the options to publish module and all items, publish module only or unpublish module and all items for individual modules.
    • This change provides instructors additional options and improves efficiency when publishing Modules. Note, the ability to select multiple specific items to publish is not available.

Released on 6/7/2023

  • View Gradebook Menu Location and Name Update – When instructors switch between Gradebooks, the View Gradebook Menu displays to the left of the page. Additionally, the main Gradebook is renamed Traditional Gradebook. This provides consistency across Gradebook views.The main Gradebook is renamed Traditional Gradebook.
  • Additional updates on New Quizzes features are on the Classic Quizzes v. New Quizzes page.

Released on 5/20/2023

  • SpeedGrader – Additional Quick Links – SpeedGrader quick links are added to Options menus for Assignments, Graded Discussions, Modules, Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes.
    • This update improves accessibility to SpeedGrader from various areas within Canvas.

Released on 5/10/2023

  • Rich Content Editor – Drag and Drop or Paste Multiple Files – In the Rich Content Editor, users can drag and drop or paste multiple files.
    • This change allows users to quickly and efficiently add files in the Rich Content Editor.

Feature Workflow

Rich Content Editor Drag and Drop Multiple Files
  • Users can drag and drop multiple files into the Rich Content Editor.
  • Additionally, users can paste multiple files in the Rich Content Editor.
Additionally, users can paste multiple files in the Rich Content Editor.

Released on 5/8/2023

  • AssignmentsSubmit Assignment on Behalf of Student – When the Submission-submit on behalf of student permission is enabled, instructors can submit a file upload assignment on behalf of a student in the Gradebook. The submission includes the timestamp and who submitted the assignment. Additionally, the instructor can submit multiple files at a time for a single student and submit beyond the availability date.
  • GradebookSort by First Name – When the Split Student Names Gradebook Setting is enabled, instructors can sort students by first name. The Allow gradebook users to view and export student first and last names in separate columns must be enabled at the account level to use this feature. Additionally, sorting students by last name continues to be available. You need to turn on Split Student Names in the Gradebook view options in your course to see this in the Gradebook.In Gradebook Settings under the View Options Tab to choose Spilt Student Names.

Released on 1/3/2023

  • Anonymous Grading – Enable anonymous grading of assignments.  
    • Anonymous Grading works for Group Assignments. You need to turn on Anonymous Grading in the assignment first and then check the option for the Group. 
    • Anonymous assignments automatically default to a manual posting policy. Grades for anonymous assignments, like other manual post-policy assignments, are not displayed to students until assignment grades are posted. 
    • Warning: Posting grades for an anonymous assignment will remove anonymity from the assignment.  
  • Anonymous Instructor Annotations – Anonymize all instructor comments and annotations within DocViewer. This option only affects comments added in DocViewer in the SpeedGrader submission window. Comments added in the SpeedGrader sidebar are not anonymous.  
  • Confetti for On-Time Submissions – Displays confetti for users that turn in an assignment prior to the set due date. Note, this is an opt-in feature for students.  
  • Confetti for valid links – Displays confetti for instructors that run the link validator on a course and no issues are found. Note, this is an opt-in feature for faculty.  
  • Moderated Grading – Enable moderated grading (to be graded by multiple reviewers).  
    • When an assignment reaches its maximum number of graders, the grading notification gets removed from the Dashboard for graders who have not yet assessed the assignment. Submissions can still be accessed through the Gradebook if needed. SpeedGrader displays the submissions in a read-only mode to hide all student names and submission details. 
    • When ready, you need to release and post Moderated Grades, for students to view them. 
    • Warning:
      • If, for example, a TA adds comments and an Instructor adds comments, it only adds one set of comments and it drops other comments, losing the other user’s comments.  
      • Once you release a grade, you are unable to revert it to be unreleased again.  

Released 12/1/2022 

  • Scheduled Page Publication – You can schedule when pages should be published.
    • When your page is saved for scheduled publication, you can return to the page and manage the publishing of it at any time by clicking the ”Will publish on” button. Note, you cannot schedule a page if it is already published. 
    • You have to edit the page itself. This feature is not available in the module view. 
    • Warning: The date needs to be in the future and cannot be in the past. If the date is set to be the current day or in the past, the page will not publish. 

Recent Divisional Features  

Released 1/3/2023

Apply Score to Ungraded – Allows instructors to apply scores to ungraded submissions en masse rather than having to hand enter them individually. This feature is particularly useful at the end of a term.  

This is approved by the following divisions: AAP, BU, SAIS, SOE, WSE/EP 

Adding Features to Canvas 

JHU has developed a process for reviewing and approving new features for Canvas that are determined by the LMS Steering Committee. This is separate from the process used to approve 3rd party tools.  

  1. Potential features offered by Canvas are reviewed by IT@JH, the Canvas Implementation Group, and LMS Steering Committee to see if there are any conflicts with JHU policies and our unique technical implementation.  
  1. If there are no conflicts, the Canvas Implementation Group, with representation from each division, vote on whether or not to test the feature based on their research and the needs of their users.  
  1. Once testing is complete, the Implementation Group votes on whether to implement the feature at this time.  
  1. All approved features will be launched in the following term.  

Interested in a new feature? Share your interest with your teaching and learning center so it can be evaluated for a future term.  

Questions about New Features? 

Reach out to your division’s teaching and learning center if you are interested in learning about these new features or have other Canvas-related questions and ideas.