[SpeedGrader] Enable Editing of Gradebook Feedback and Save Draft Functionality for Comments

[GotCree]

Problem statement:

Canvas currently does not allow instructors to edit gradebook feedback after it has been posted, nor does it provide a "save draft" function for public replies to students. These limitations create significant workflow inefficiencies and compromise the quality of instructor feedback. Use Case 1 - Iterative Grading: I teach courses where assignments have multiple components completed at different times. For example, students submit an initial post, and I provide feedback acknowledging their work and noting areas for improvement. However, the assignment also requires peer responses due several days later. When students complete their peer responses, I need to add feedback about that component. Currently, I cannot edit my original feedback to create a cohesive, complete evaluation. Instead, I must either leave incomplete initial feedback or post disconnected follow-up comments that lack coherence and may confuse students about their overall performance. Use Case 2 - Incomplete Reply Drafts: When responding to student discussion posts or assignments, I often begin composing feedback but need to pause to verify information, check rubric details, or wait for additional student submissions before finalizing my response. Without a "save draft" option, I must either post incomplete feedback immediately (which appears unprofessional and may confuse students) or abandon my work entirely and recreate it later, wasting significant time. Use Case 3 - Correcting Errors: After posting feedback, I sometimes notice a typo, error in calculation, or realize I referenced the wrong rubric criterion. Currently, I cannot correct these mistakes, forcing me to post additional comments that say "correction to my previous feedback," which appears disorganized and undermines instructor credibility.

Proposed solution:

Implement two key features: 1. Editable Gradebook Feedback Allow instructors to edit previously posted feedback in the gradebook Include a timestamp or "last edited" notation for transparency Maintain edit history (similar to discussion post editing) so that any changes are documented Provide clear visual indication when feedback has been modified 2. Save Draft Functionality for Student Replies Add a "Save Draft" button alongside the existing "Post" button when composing replies to students in discussions, assignments, and other Canvas communication tools Store draft replies that can be accessed and completed later Optional: Allow instructors to schedule replies for future posting (e.g., to release feedback after all students have submitted) Why This Solution: These features align with standard functionality in modern communication platforms (email, Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, etc.) where users expect to edit content and save work-in-progress. The current limitations: Reduce feedback quality: Instructors are forced to choose between incomplete feedback and time-consuming workarounds Create inefficiency: Time spent rewriting comments or posting multiple disconnected updates could be better spent on student interaction Appear outdated: Students expect the same editing capabilities they have in other digital tools Compromise pedagogy: Effective feedback should be cohesive, accurate, and complete—current limitations make this unnecessarily difficult Implementing these features would support more thoughtful, thorough, and professional instructor communication while respecting the reality that high-quality feedback often requires iteration and reflection.

User role(s):

instructor