In this Canvas release (15 February),the Copy Course page uses InstUI and includes updates like defaulting to term dates, requiring admins to adjust term dates, and displaying both local and course time zones if they differ. On the Account Level Grading page, admins can set an account or sub-account default grading scheme. The Import Content page uses InstUI with updated Add Import to Queue button text and displays both local and course time zones if they differ. When the New Login/Registration UI for Identity feature option is enabled at the Root Account level, the Login and Registration user interface is redesigned for accessibility and enables future identity enhancements. Instructors can migrate Classic Quiz question banks to New Quiz item banks using the updated Convert content to New Quizzes checkbox. The Full Validation of OpenID Connect Token's feature option is enforced for all Canvas institutions and the feature option is removed. The user interface features refined semantic markup, clearer error messages, and focused states for missing or incorrect fields, ensuring better content hierarchy and accessibility for all users. During course copy, leading zeros in Assignment Custom Parameter data are stripped. Deployment ID naming is updated for LTI compliance. The validation_context and error fields do not launch in LTI claim objects. An update is available in the Enhanced Rubrics Change Log.
All Resources | Features in this release may be included in product blogs and other content areas. For all related links, view the 2025-02-15 Community tag.
- Institutions are responsible for conducting thorough evaluations of their custom CSS/JS with each release and deploy to assess potential impacts.
- Subscribe to the Canvas release notes to be notified of updates.
- For general questions related to this release, see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ
- Looking to discuss the features in the Release Notes? Post a reply in the Features Q&A: Canvas Release Notes (2025-02-15)
Table of Contents
- New Features
- Copy Content
- Copy Course Page Enhancements [This feature is currently delayed in the production environment and w...
- Grading
- Account Level Default Grading Scheme
- Import Content
- Import Content Page Enhancements[This feature is currently delayed in the production environment and...
- Feature Options
- Login
- Login and Registration Enhancements
- New Quizzes
- Question Bank Migration on Course Copy
- Feature Preview Change Log updates
- Enhanced Rubrics
- Other Updates
- Accessibility Updates
- Enhanced Structural Clarity
- Improved Error Feedback
- Authentication
- Enforcement of Implement Token Validation in OpenID Connect
- Platform/Integration
- Assignment Custom Parameter Data with Leading Zeros Stripped During Course Copy
- Updated Deployment ID Naming for LTI Compliance
- Validation_context and error do not launch in LTI Launch claim objects
New Features
Copy Content
Copy Course Page Enhancements [This feature is currently delayed in the production environment and will be included in a future release.]
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2025-01-20 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
|
Location to Enable Feature |
None |
|
Name of LTI Tool |
None |
|
Permissions |
Manage Course Content-Add |
|
Related APIs |
None |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Settings, Course Copy |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
The Copy Course page has been updated to the latest version of InstUI, Instructure's internal design language. When a term is selected, the dates default to the term's dates. Instructors must contact their admin to update the term dates. If an instructor's time zone differs from the course timezone, both the local and course timezones are displayed.
Change Benefit
This update enhances user experience by providing a modern, consistent interface through the latest version of InstUI. Displaying local and course timezones improves scheduling accuracy for users working across different timezones.
Feature Workflow
Copy Course Term Field and Start Date Message
When a term is selected [1], the dates default to the term's dates. Instructors must contact their admin to update the term dates [2].
Adjust Date Local and Course Date and Time
When the Adjust events and due dates option is selected, both the local and course dates and times are displayed.
Feature Video
Grading
Account Level Default Grading Scheme
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2024-09-16 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
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Location to Enable Feature |
None |
|
Name of LTI Tool |
None |
|
Permissions |
Account Level Settings-Manage |
|
Related APIs |
None |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Account and Sub-Account Level Grading |
|
Related Ideas |
[Account Settings] Default grading scheme [Account Settings] Default Grading Schemes at the Account Level |
|
Previous Feature Mention |
Summary
On the Account Level Grading page, admins can set an account or sub-account default grading scheme.
Note: Course-level default grading schemes can only be set after the Enable Course Grading Scheme option is enabled in the Course Settings of a course. Once enabled, instructors can select the grading scheme they want to use as the course default, overriding any account-level default grading schemes. If the Enable Course Grading Scheme course setting is not enabled, the course inherits the account-level default grading scheme.
Change Benefit
This feature simplifies grading scheme setup by allowing institutions to set a default grading scheme at the account or sub-account level, ensuring consistency across all courses.
Feature Workflow
Account Default Grading Scheme Field
On the Account or Sub-Account level grading page, Click the Account default grading scheme drop-down menu [1]. Then, select the desired grading scheme [2].
Account Grading Schemes Apply Button
Once a grading scheme is selected, click the Apply button.
Account Grading Scheme Default Selection and Location Used Link
Once applied, the default grading scheme displays in the Account default grading scheme drop-down menu [1]. To view all courses where the grading scheme is located, click the Show locations used link [2].
Course Settings Account Level Grading Scheme View
In Course Settings, instructors can view available Account Level Grading Schemes.
Feature Video
Import Content
Import Content Page Enhancements [This feature is currently delayed in the production environment and will be included in a future release.]
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2025-01-20 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
|
Location to Enable Feature |
None |
|
Name of LTI Tool |
None |
|
Permissions |
Name of Permission relevant to feature area |
|
Related APIs |
Name of API(s) w/ link(s), if the feature can be managed via API |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Course Settings |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
The Import Content page is updated to the latest version of InstUI, Instructure's internal design language. The import button text is updated to Add Import to Queue and when an instructor's timezone differs from the course timezone, both the local and course timezones are displayed.
Change Benefit
This update enhances the user experience by updating the Import Content page to the latest InstUI version, providing a modern and consistent design. It also clarifies the import process with updated button text, improving workflow efficiency.
Feature Workflow
Import Content Interface Updates
On the Import Content page, the user interface and the import button text are updated to Add Import to Queue.
Import Content Adjust Dates for Local and Course
When the Adjust events and due dates option is selected, the local and course dates and times are displayed.
Feature Video
Feature Options
Feature options allow institutions to enable newly developed Canvas functionality according to their preferred time frame. Unless otherwise noted, all feature options are opt-in and do not require any action by a Canvas admin until a feature's enforcement date is announced. For a complete list of feature options, please see Canvas LMS Feature Options.
A feature preview label indicates a feature option in active development, which is being built directly through user feedback. Feature previews deploy updates outside the regular Canvas release schedule and are posted in the Related Releases section in Canvas Releases & Deploys.
Please reference the table below each feature heading for specific feature information. For general information about feature options, please see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ.
Login
Login and Registration Enhancements
|
Feature Option Name to Enable |
New Login/Registration UI for Identity |
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
Account (Disabled) |
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2025-01-20 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
|
Subaccount Configuration |
No |
|
Permissions |
Account-level settings-manage |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Login Page |
|
Mobile App Support |
Not available |
|
Free-for-Teacher Availability |
TBD |
|
Feature Option State |
Production-ready |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
When the New Login/Registration UI for Identity feature option is enabled at the Root Account level, the Login and Registration user interface is redesigned for accessibility and enables future identity enhancements.
Note: User interface will vary with Theme Editor branding.
Change Benefit
This update ensures a consistent and seamless login experience by reworking the Login/Registration user interface to accommodate identity changes.
Feature Workflow
Redesigned Login and Registration Page
The Login and Registration page interface is redesigned.
Redesigned Login and Registration Page with Google and Microsoft Buttons
The placement of the Login with Google and Login with Microsoft buttons is updated for users utilizing Google and Microsoft OAuth Authentication methods.
Redesigned Parent Registration Interface
The Parent Registration form page interface is also updated.
Additional Details
The updated Login User Interface and URLs do not support running custom javascript/css overrides for security reasons.
Feature Video
New Quizzes
Question Bank Migration on Course Copy
|
Feature Option Name to Enable |
New Quizzes New Quizzes migration during course import/copy |
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
Account (Disabled/Unlocked) |
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2024-12-16 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
|
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
|
Permissions |
Inherent to user role |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Copy Course page, Import Course Content page |
|
Mobile App Support |
Not available |
|
Free-for-Teacher Availability |
TBD |
|
Feature Option State |
Production-ready |
|
Related Ideas |
[New Quizzes] Migrate questions banks from one course to another, without having to create a test. [New Quizzes] Alternative in migration from question bank to item bank |
|
Previous Feature Mention |
Summary
Instructors can migrate Classic Quiz question banks to New Quiz item banks by using the Convert content to New Quizzes checkbox, previously labeled Import existing quizzes on the Course Copy and Import Course Content pages. Additionally, the Tooltip text is updated.
Change Benefit
This update allows Instructors to transfer question content from Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes without using quiz migration, greatly improving efficiency and saving valuable time.
Feature Workflow
Updated Convert Content to New Quizzes Checkbox
The Import existing quizzes on the Course Copy checkbox is renamed Convert content to New Quizzes.
Convert Content to New Quizzes Tooltip Modal
The Convert content to New Quizzes checkbox Tooltip text is updated.
Additional Details
After the copy or import is complete, all Question Banks converted to Item Banks appear on the Item Banks page of the new course, filtered under This Course.
Feature Video
Feature Preview Change Log updates
A Feature Preview indicates a feature option in active development. Users who opt in to the feature and join the Community user group can help improve the feature through direct feedback.
The following Feature Previews have updates related to this release available in the User Group change log. When this feature option is available for general use, the feature option will be announced in the Canvas Release Notes.
Enhanced Rubrics
For more details related to this release, see the Enhanced Rubrics Release Change Log.
Other Updates
Accessibility Updates
Over the coming months, a series of updates will be introduced to enhance Canvas's accessibility, intuitiveness, and equity, with a focus on improving usability for assistive technology users. These updates will include changes in the following areas:
Enhanced Structural Clarity
Refined semantic markup in the user interface to improve communication of content relationships and hierarchy.
Improved Error Feedback
In the user interface, improved error messages in forms and interactive elements offer clearer and more accessible feedback. Focused states for missing or incorrect fields ensure a consistent experience for all users, whether using a mouse, keyboard, or screen reader.
Authentication
Enforcement of Implement Token Validation in OpenID Connect
|
Beta Environment Availability |
2025-01-20 |
|
Production Environment Availability |
2025-02-15 |
|
Location to Enable Feature |
None |
|
Name of LTI Tool |
None |
|
Permissions |
Inherent to user |
|
Related APIs |
|
|
Affects User Interface |
No |
|
Affected Area |
Authentication |
|
Mobile App Support |
Not available |
|
Free-for-Teacher Availability |
Available |
|
Feature Option State |
Production-ready |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
|
Previous Feature Mention |
Summary
The Full Validation of OpenID Connect Tokens feature option is enforced for all Canvas institutions and the feature option is removed. Canvas fully complies with the OpenID Core specification for verifying identity tokens. It checks several important details:
- Audience (who the token is for), Issuer (who sent the token), Issued At, Expiration, and Nonce (a random value to prevent reuse) must all be included in the token.
- The Audience must match the Client ID set in Canvas.
- The Issuer must match the Issuer setting in Canvas.
- The token must be issued no more than 5 minutes after the current time.
- The token's expiration must be in the future.
- The Nonce must be sent and returned exactly as it was received.
The token also needs to be securely signed. It can be signed using a secret key or a published public key, which Canvas can access automatically if provided.
Note: Admins must complete the Issuer Identity field in the settings before enabling this feature, as well as provide the JWKS URI if signing tokens with a private key.
Change Benefit
This change makes it easier for admins to set up identity verification and ensures that settings stay updated. Additionally, it improves security and accuracy for identity verification within Canvas.
Feature Workflow
Updated OpenID Connect Page
On the OpenID Connect page, the Discovery URL field [1], Issuer Identifier field[2], Token Endpoint Authentication Method field [3], and JWKS URI field are added [4].
Feature Video
Platform/Integration
Beta Environment Availability: 2025-01-20
Assignment Custom Parameter Data with Leading Zeros Stripped During Course Copy
Custom variables that previously stored values as integers or floats are converted to strings during course copy. While these values have been returned as strings in LTI responses for over a year, this change may affect API users who rely on the variable being an integer or float within the Canvas API (but not in the LTI response). No significant impact is expected; however, users are encouraged to monitor for any changes.
Updated Deployment ID Naming for LTI Compliance
To ensure compliance with the IMS LTI specification, the naming convention for the deployment ID in LTI login requests is changed to lti_deployment_id. Previously, the deployment ID was sent as deployment_id.
Validation_context and error do not launch in LTI Launch claim objects
In LTI launches, the JWT message was previously validated during creation in Canvas, which added extra, unintended fields (validation_context and errors) to the JWT payload. This update removes these unnecessary fields, ensuring a cleaner and more streamlined JWT payload.
Change Log
2025-01-29
2025-01-28
2025-01-22
