1 Solution
When you view the grades from a course, you'll see a lot of little icons (How do I view my grades in a current course?). You'll see an icon in the score column when something has been submitted, and a number or grade (or other mark) will replace it once the instructor has assessed the item. 
I also recommend that you check out the Canvas Parent app. In some ways, it's easier to see a student's progress when you only need a quick check-in to make sure things are on track.
