2025-01-17
2026-02-21
For more information, please see Instructure Enforcements, Deprecations, and Breaking Changes.
Release notes outline upcoming customer-impacting changes that are expected to display in beta and/or production environments. Please note that features considered for future development are not included in the notes.
Unless otherwise stated, all features in this release are available in the Beta environment on 2025-11-17 and the Production environment on 2025-12-13.
All Resources | Features in this release may be included in product blogs and other content areas. For all related links, view the 2025-12-13 Community tag.
Table of Contents
|
Feature Option to Enable |
Search for Courses See the Canvas Feature Option Summary to learn more about Feature Options. |
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
|
|
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
|
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
|
Permissions |
Inherent to user role |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Navigation |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
The IgniteAI Search for Courses, previously Smart Search feature, is no longer in feature preview and available as a feature option for all institutions.
Search for Courses in Canvas uses advanced AI and semantic algorithms. The search feature understands the context of queries, providing more accurate and relevant results without needing complex search operators or tools. Currently, the feature is querying the following items within a course:
Note: The IgniteAI Search for Courses feature user group will close for participation on March 13, 2026. After this date, current members can continue to view information in the group in a read-only format.
Change Benefit
Institutions can enable Search for courses allowing users to find course content more efficiently through AI-powered, context-aware search results.
Feature Workflow
Search for Courses Feature Option
At the Account or Course level, enable the Search for Courses feature option.
IgniteAI Search Navigation
When enabled at the account level, the IgniteAI Search link is enabled in the course navigation [1]. Instructors can choose to remove this from the course Navigation. To access Smart Search in a course, click the IgniteAI Search link [2].
IgniteAI Search Page
In the IgniteAI Search page, users can enter keywords in the search field [1] and click the Search button [2] to view all results. Users can also use the Filter button [3] to narrow results and provide feedback on the search results [4].
Feature Video
|
Feature Option to Enable |
N/A |
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
N/A |
|
Subaccount Configuration |
N/A |
|
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
|
Permissions |
Grades-edit |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
Gradebook |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
In the Gradebook, instructors can manage the visibility of grades and feedback for individual assignments. By default, scores and comments are released together, but instructors can schedule them to release separately.
Notes:
Change Benefit
This feature gives instructors greater flexibility and control over feedback timing, allowing them to align the release of rubric scores and comments with grading workflows, review sessions, or instructional pacing. It helps ensure students receive feedback when it is most meaningful and actionable.
Feature Workflow
Gradebook Assignment Options
In the Gradebook, click the desired assignment Options [1], then click the Grade Posting Policy link [2].
Assignment Grading Policy Modal
Click the Manually radio button [1], then select the Schedule Release Dates checkbox [2]. Choose whether to release Grades and Comments Together or on Separate Schedules [3], and set the Release Date [4] and Time [5].
Feature Video
|
Feature Option to Enable |
New Quizzes See the Canvas Feature Option Summary to learn more about Feature Options. |
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
|
|
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
|
Account/Course Setting to Enable |
None |
|
Permissions |
Manage Assignments and Quizzes- add/edit |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
New Quizzes |
|
Related Ideas |
|
|
Related Blog |
Summary
New Quizzes supports Survey-type quizzes, allowing instructors to collect anonymous or non-anonymous feedback, with graded or ungraded options. Instructors can view survey data in the Reports tab.
Surveys support the following question types:
Note: The ability to create a survey directly from a Module will be available on December 8, 2025 in beta and December 13, 2025 in production. Once available, surveys can be added to a module the same way other activities, such as assignments or quizzes, are added.
Change Benefit
This feature gives educators a more intuitive way to engage students and promote reflection. It also helps educators more easily gather feedback, gauge understanding, and foster open reflection.
Feature Workflow
Quiz Type Drop-Down Menu
When creating a quiz, click the Quiz Type drop-down menu to select the survey type.
New Quiz Moderate Page
Instructors can click the View Log link in the activity log’s Moderate tab to see individual results.
New Quiz Reports Page
In the Reports tab, instructors can view a breakdown of the results for each question.
Additional Details
Feature Video
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.
|
Feature Option Name to Enable |
|
|
Feature Preview User Group |
|
|
Enable Feature Option Location & Default Status |
See the Canvas Feature Option Summary to learn more about Feature Options. |
|
Subaccount Configuration |
Yes |
|
Permissions |
Manage Assignments and Quizzes- add/edit |
|
Affects User Interface |
Yes |
|
Affected Areas |
New Quizzes |
|
Mobile App Support |
Not available |
|
Free-for-Teacher Availability |
Not Available |
|
Related Ideas |
None |
Summary
In New Quizzes, instructors can use IgniteAI Question Authoring for Quizzes to create questions based on course content.
Change Benefit
This feature streamlines the quiz-building process by reducing the manual effort needed to create high quality assessment questions. By leveraging AI to generate aligned, accurate, and context-specific items, educators can produce quizzes faster and with greater consistency, freeing up more time for instruction, student support, and meaningful learning experiences.
Feature Workflow
New Quiz Generate with AI Button
When creating a new quiz question, click the Generate with AI button.
Question Authoring Modal
Instructors can generate questions by choosing existing course content [1], entering text [2], or uploading files [3]. They can also add a topic focus [4] and select relevant learning outcomes, knowledge dept or language [5] before choosing the question type [6].
Generated Item Preview Modal
A preview modal displays where instructors can cancel the creation of the question [1], regenerate a new question [2] or edit and review the question [3].
Feature Video
<p><iframe title="Release Screencast 2025-11-15: Feature Preview IgniteAI Rubric Generator" src="https://marcus.instructuremedia.com/embed/2afaecd0-0715-471b-8638-129adb52b50a" width="560px" height="320px" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay *"></iframe></p>2025-11-21
2025-11-20
2025-11-19
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