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Canvas Release Notes (2018-08-25)

Canvas Release Notes (2018-08-25)

Upcoming Canvas Changes

October 6: Non-Scoring Rubrics Feature Option Enforcement

On October 6, the Non-Scoring Rubrics feature option will be enabled for all Canvas institutions and applies to all users. For details about this feature, please see Canvas Release: Non-Scoring Rubrics.

In this Canvas release (August 25), the Mark as Done module requirement synchronizes with the student Dashboard List View and Card View to-do list to automatically complete items that have been marked as done. For instructors using the Scheduler tool in the Calendar, the Calendar Feed link includes Scheduler appointment details in the calendar feed export.

For institutions that have enabled self-registration, an observer pairing code expiration time period has been changed from 24 hours to 7 days.

Feature Options

  • For institutions using the Anonymous Grading feature option, SpeedGrader does not display submission details for anonymous assignments until after the assignment is unmuted.
  • For institutions using the International SMS feature option, three additional countries have been added to SMS notifications.
  • For institutions using the New Gradebook, admins can enable the New Gradebook feature option for their entire institution.
  • For institutions using the Learning Mastery Gradebook feature option, the Learning Mastery Gradebook includes filters to hide outcomes with no results and hide students with no results.
  • For institutions using the Student Learning Mastery Gradebook feature option, outcomes include an information icon that display details about the outcome.

Release notes describe upcoming Canvas functionality and are subject to change.

 

Feature Options

The following feature options are addressed in this release:

  • Account: International SMS
  • Course: Anonymous Grading, New Gradebook, Learning Mastery Gradebook, Student Learning Mastery Gradebook
Canvas release summary by user roleCanvas New Release ScreencastCanvas Release Collaborative Chat


Release Notes Change Log

  Updated Features

  BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Calendar

Scheduler External Feed Appointment Details

 

Location to Enable FeatureScheduler
Configuration DetailsCalendar External Feed
Affected Canvas AreasCalendar
Affects User InterfaceNo
Affected User RolesInstructors

Summary

For instructors using the Scheduler tool in the Calendar, the Calendar Feed link includes Scheduler appointment details in the calendar feed export. Appointment details include scheduled student appointments, the associated course, and any student comments.

 

In student calendar feeds, the current functionality has not been affected. Students can view their reserved appointment group time slot, but any comments to the instructor are not included.

 

Change Benefit

This change allows instructors to view all appointment details for a Scheduler appointment group without having to access Canvas.

Scheduler appointment group details display in calendar feed exports

Affected User Roles & Behaviors
Instructors
When instructors create an appointment group for a course through the Scheduler tool, and students reserve appointment group time slots, instructors can view the appointment group details in their Canvas Calendar. If an instructor wants to export the calendar feed to an external calendar, Scheduler appointment group details are included in the calendar feed.

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

Dashboard

List View and Mark as Done Module Requirements

 

Location to Enable FeatureModules
Configuration DetailsModules Requirements
Affected Canvas AreasModules, Dashboard
Affects User InterfaceYes
Affected User RolesInstructors, Students

Summary

The Mark as Done module requirement synchronizes with the student Dashboard List View and Card View to-do list to automatically complete items that have been marked as done.

Note: This behavior is only supported when the page is located in one module. Adding the same page within multiple modules does not synchronize with the to-do list.

Change Benefit

This change helps synchronize to-do items with the module requirement’s status. Currently students must manually complete the page from the List View after selecting the Mark as Done button.

 

Affected User Roles & Behaviors

Instructors

Instructors can add a page to a module, add a module requirement, and require the page be marked as done.

Students

Students can view the page and click the Mark as Done button. The page is removed from the to-do list and marked as complete in the Dashboard List View.

Students with Mark as Done module requirements can select the button, which updates in the List View

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

 

Gradebook

Learning Mastery Gradebook Filter Options

This feature is used in conjunction with an existing feature option in Canvas. Please view the content below for additional details. For more information about feature options, please see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ.  

Location to Enable FeatureLearning Mastery Gradebook
Configuration DetailsLearning Mastery Gradebook Feature Option
Affected Canvas AreasLearning Mastery Gradebook
Affects User InterfaceYes
Affected User RolesInstructors

Summary

The Learning Mastery Gradebook includes filters to hide outcomes with no results and hide students with no results. Selected filters persist for the course within the same browser.

Change Benefit

This change allows instructors to filter outcomes and students within the Learning Mastery Gradebook.

Learning Mastery Gradebook includes filters for outcomes and students

Feature Idea Contributions

https://community.canvaslms.com/ideas/2515-hiding-unused-outcomes 

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

 

Grades

Student Learning Mastery Gradebook Outcome Icons

This feature is used in conjunction with an existing feature option in Canvas. Please view the content below for additional details. For more information about feature options, please see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ.  

Location to Enable FeatureGrades, Learning Mastery Tab
Configuration DetailsStudent Learning Mastery Gradebook Feature Option
Affected Canvas AreasGrades
Affects User InterfaceYes
Affected User RolesStudents

Summary

In the Learning Mastery Gradebook, outcomes include an information icon that display details about the outcome including last assessment, calculation method, and mastery level (if applicable).

 

Change Benefit

This change allows students to view the details for individual outcomes.

Student Learning Mastery Gradebook include outcome icons for students

Affected User Roles & Behaviors
Students
When students view the Learning Mastery Gradebook, they can select the information icon next to an outcome and view the details of that outcome.

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

 

SpeedGrader

Anonymous Assignment Hidden Submission Details

This feature is used in conjunction with an existing feature option in Canvas. Please view the content below for additional details. For more information about feature options, please see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ.  

Location to Enable Feature

SpeedGrader

Configuration Details

Anonymous Grading Feature Option

Affected Canvas Areas

SpeedGrader

Affects User Interface

Yes

Affected User Roles

Instructor

Summary

When an assignment is anonymous, SpeedGrader does not display submission details until after the assignment is unmuted.

Change Benefit

This change helps enforce student anonymity for assignment submissions.

 

Affected User Roles & Behaviors

Instructors

When an assignment is anonymous, the SpeedGrader sidebar shows the assignment was submitted but does not display the date and time.

SpeedGrader sidebar does not show submission details for anonymous assignments

If a submission is resubmitted, the submission menu displays submissions by number (e.g. Submission 1, Submission 2).

Anonymous assignments with multiple submissions display submissions by number

When the assignment is unmuted, the sidebar will unhide all anonymity details, including the student names and submission details.

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

Users

Self-Registration Observer Pairing Code Changes

 

Location to Enable FeatureUser Settings
Configuration DetailsSelf Registration, Canvas Authentication (Admins)
Affected Canvas AreasUser Settings (Students and Observers), People page (Instructors), Authentication (Admins)
PermissionsGenerate observer pairing code for students (account, course)
Affects User InterfaceYes
Affected User RolesAll Users
Original Feature Introduction2018-07-14

 

Summary

For institutions that have enabled self-registration, an observer pairing code expiration time period has been changed from 24 hours to 7 days. Pairing codes also include uppercase and lowercase letters.

Change Benefit

This change allows observers additional time to pair a student’s account using the web or the Canvas Parent mobile app. The capitalization change to alphanumeric codes improves code validity.

Pairing codes are active for up to 7 days

Affected User Roles & Behaviors

Observers

When observers receive a pairing code from a student, the observers can use the code within 7 days. No other functionality has been affected.

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

  Other Updates

  BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Account Settings

New Gradebook Feature Option Change

This feature is used in conjunction with an existing feature option in Canvas. Please view the content below for additional details. For more information about feature options, please see the Canvas Release Notes FAQ.    

  
Feature DeployDeployed to the production environment 2018-08-15
Location to Enable FeatureAccount Settings
Configuration DetailsNew Gradebook Feature Option
Affected Canvas AreasNew Gradebook
Affects User InterfaceYes
Affected User RolesAdmins

Summary

Admins can enable the New Gradebook feature option for their entire institution.

Change Benefit

This change allows admins to enable the New Gradebook for all courses within an account or subaccount without having to enable the feature option within individual courses.

 

Affected User Roles & Behaviors

Admins

In the Account Settings Feature Options tab, admins can change the New Gradebook to On, which will enable the New Gradebook for all courses in the account.

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

User Settings

International SMS Country Additions

 

Location to Enable Feature

User Settings, Ways to Contact Link

Configuration Details

International SMS Feature Option

Affected Canvas Areas

User Settings

Beta Environment Support

SMS Notifications Not Supported

Affects User Interface

No

Affected User Roles

All Users

Summary

International users in Rwanda, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan can enable SMS messages for Canvas notifications. Unlike in the United States, international carrier details are not required as part of the communication setup.

Change Benefit

This change offers SMS notification support to additional users outside the United States.

 

Affected User Roles & Behaviors

All Users

In the User Settings page, users can select SMS as a contact method. The Text (SMS) tab displays all supported country codes.   

Feature Idea Contributions

Canvas features are always welcome to feedback. Product teams may make adjustments at any time via the Canvas Feature Idea process.

  Fixed Bugs

  BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Accessibility

Account Settings

When a Help menu name field transition to an invalid value, a flash alert is displayed to screen readers.

Horizontal rules in content exports and the Move menu in the Navigation tab are hidden to screen readers.

Admin Tools

Horizontal rules in the Admin Tools tabs are hidden to screen readers.

Announcements

The New Announcement button H1 reads as New Announcement to screen readers.

When the External Feeds sidebar is closed, focus is retained in the External Feeds button.

In content pages using Chrome and Safari browsers, keyboard-only focus is initially placed in the title field.

Courses

When a search is made for a course at the account level, results are announced to screen readers after the Enter key is pressed or when the user moves away from the search field.

Dashboard

In the Dashboard Card View, card icons include a focus box for all users.

Discussions

Unread discussion indicators are read by screen readers.

Files

File table headings are read correctly to screen readers.

Rich Content Editor

In assignment pages, keyboard-only focus is initially placed in the name field.

Rubrics

In a rubric within SpeedGrader, focus is retained in the comment field for the first criterion.

Theme Editor

Templates and My Themes headings are set as H2s.

API

SIS Imports API

The API Restore workflow_states of SIS imported items endpoint returns a progress for SIS restore states.

Explanation: When a user tried to make an API call to restore workflow states, the API call timed out when it tried to restore all states before returning the API response. Canvas code has been updated to return a progress for SIS restore states instead of returning the SIS import directly.

Courses

Account Search Errors

Requesting a new course search before a previous search has completed does not generate an error message.

Explanation: When an admin searched for a course while a previous search was still processing, the page displayed an error message even though the new search displayed search results. Canvas code has been updated to not display aborted search results as errors and display results for last requested search.

Modules

Module Duplication Omissions

Prerequisites and Unlock Dates are not included in duplicated modules.

Explanation: When a module was duplicated, duplicated prerequisites and unlock dates caused confusion for students when modules had to be completed in sequential order. Canvas code has been updated to not include prerequisites and unlock dates when duplicating a module.

Quizzes

Disabled Third-Party Cookie Launch in Chrome

Quizzes.Next can be launched if third-party cookies are disabled in Chrome.

Explanation: When third-party cookies were disabled in Chrome, and a user tried to open Quizzes.Next, the tool could not be launched in the browser. Quizzes.next code has been updated to support launching quizzes when third-party cookies are disabled in Chrome.

Numerical Answer Question Negative Values

Numerical Answer questions support negative values.

Explanation: When a negative value was added to a Numerical Answer question, and the answer type was Answer with Precision, the question returned NaN if the precision was set to a number other than 16. Canvas code has been updated to allow negative values.

Rich Content Editor

Link to URL and Internet Explorer 11

Selecting content with the Link to URL link from the content selector sidebar links the selected content correctly.

Explanation: When content was selected using the Link to URL link in the content selector sidebar using Internet Explorer 11, the selected content was not highlighted and the word Link was inserted into the page. Canvas code has been updated to correct links with existing text in Internet Explorer 11.

Table Edits and Internet Explorer Edge

Tables can be edited in Internet Explorer Edge.

Explanation: When a table was edited using Internet Explorer Edge, the table could not be edited. Canvas code has been updated to allow editing using Internet Explorer Edge.

Terms

Default Term Names

The Default Term name cannot be renamed.

Explanation: When a default term was renamed, new courses were not able to be created in the term. The previous default term was always displayed in the course creation window despite the renamed term. Canvas code has been updated to not allow the default term to be renamed.


Release Notes Change Log

  BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

Date
2018-08-15

Added—Updated Features

  • Users: Self-Registration Observer Pairing Code Changes

Added—Other Updates

  • Account Settings: New Gradebook Feature Option Change

Added—Fixed Bugs

  • API: SIS Imports API
2018-08-13Release Notes Published
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Comments

Nice to see the quizzes.next fix. This will especially help if at some point someone click a browser setting popup and accidentally disables third party cookies.

erinhallmark,  question about the move of Non-Scoring Rubrics to be enabled for all institutions. We currently have this feature disabled for our account; will we still be able to disable this at either the account or sub-account level? Thanks!

Canvas our students are starting to use the List View to see what they need to do but it is missing Peer Reviews please add this to the To Do list like it is in the course or with the Card View. Here is a screen shot of the List View compared to the Card View and we see the List View is missing the Peer Review assignments.

List View Missing Peer Reviews

Card View Shows Complete List

Thank you for updating the List View for students.

Karen Matson

University of Oregon

Hi, Karen,

That functionality is still in development and is coming soon!

Thanks,

Erin

Hi, Ira,

Once the feature is enabled for all institutions, you will not be able to disable it for your account or sub-account.

Thanks,

Erin 

In beta, the New Gradebook feature option has "Off" disabled. Will we be limited to "Allow" or "On" after this release?

Hi, Tracey,

The New Gradebook switches to Off if a user in a course has done something that doesn't allow the feature option to be switched off. The New Gradebook is not backward-compatible. These behaviors also apply to the beta environment. As a refresher, see https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-11512 

Thanks!

Erin

I'm sorry, I didn't clarify that I meant at the account level. This is what I'm seeing in beta in our account's Feature Options page:

285803_AccountFeatureOption.jpg

I'm blocked from toggling New Gradebook to "Off". So I'm wondering if this is planned behavior for Prod as well?

Hi  @tdelillo ‌,

I'm seeing the same thing in our Prod environment now.  I'm wondering if we missed an announcement about this change, or if this is some sort of error.  New gradebook definitely did not have the "On" option available the last time I checked a week or two ago.

285815_16-08-2018-Window.png

-Chris

Our Prod environment still has the Off option (for now... maybe because we have had it turned off all the while?). The description in these release notes does say the "On" option is new, and was deployed yesterday. But it doesn't say the "Off" option will be disabled. 

For those of you that like to have time to train instructors prior to releasing a new feature, here is a document that describes how to use your CSS and JS files to hide the "Add to Student To-Do List" option from the instructors.  

Hide new to-do list checkboxes from instructors 

Yikes, I totally overlooked that change in the release notes somehow (but the timing is definitely strange, right in the middle of the usual 3 week release cycle)!  I'm almost positive we used to have "off" as an account-level option in Prod last time I looked too though (before the On option was added yesterday), even though some courses had been using new Gradebook since January.

Hi Joni,

I think your document is out of moderation now.

Thanks, Scott!

Hi, Tracey,

Yes, that's correct. Even if one instructor enables the New Gradebook in a course and does something that won't allow the New Gradebook to be turned off, the feature option for the entire account switches to Off as well.

Thanks,

Erin

All,

Just a reminder that we've changed how updates are made to the release notes, so make sure you are following them so you'll be notified when an update has been made. You can check the Change Log to see the specific changes. The Change Log link is located in several places within the release notes.

Thanks,

Erin

Ah! Very good to know. In retrospect, it's logical, but I think it would be helpful to be more explicit about that in the New Gradebook FAQ document. Thank you, as always Smiley Happy

Thanks, Tracey. I'll make sure we update the various documentation to explain that better!

Canvas when will the new Scheduler External Feed Appointment Details be available to Outlook users? I noticed in the Release notes you don't mention what calendars this feature will work with but you do show a picture of a Google calendar with it working and we can get it to work on Google calendars but NOT Outlook calendars despite what the actual calendar feed says. So can anyone tell us what we are doing wrong if this is supposed to work with Outlook calendars now.

Here is the image from the Calendar Feed in Canvas indicating this works on Outlook calendars.

Calendar feed information with link

Here is my image from Canvas.

view of calendar in canvas site

Now here is my image with lots of missing information from details of the scheduler to missing the calendar assignment tab and the to do list. 

calendar view from Outlook

 Please let us know when this will work in Outlook or do you have any idea what I did wrong in Outlook?

Thank you,

Karen Matson

Hi, Karen,

It should work with all calendars. I'd recommend passing this on to Canvas support so they can take a closer look.

Thanks!

Erin

We're seeing some odd behavior in Scheduler and wondering if there's a bug. It seems any calendar event is ALSO showing up IN Scheduler...which is odd and started with this Release. Wondering about a bug in the new Calendar/Scheduler feature?

289402_pastedImage.png

And yes, we submitted a ticket and got back a not-very-helpful response. "Thank you for reaching out to Canvas Support. I understand that you'd like to be able to hide other events listed as "available" when viewing items under Scheduler. While there isn't a way to hide it currently, I'd recommend reaching out to your CSM concerning the New Scheduler, as that prevents the issue from occurring."

This feels like a bug in the new feature, not something that is a 'request to hide'. 

Is anyone else seeing this after the release?

Hi, Adrienne,

We're sorry that you're experiencing this behavior. Our team has discovered some inadvertently functionality with the New Scheduler feature option, which was previously enabled for all institutions but is temporarily able to be turned off if necessary, and based on your screenshot, the feature option may be disabled for your account. I'd recommend enabling the New Scheduler as an account feature option and see if this behavior is still occurring. If it is, please ask our support team to escalate that ticket so that they can investigate further.

Thank you!

Erin

OK - I see the New Scheduler is toggled off. So you are saying that it wasn't automatically 'turned ON' in the Aug 4 release as previously stated in that Release? We did have the Scheduler tool available, but kept New Scheduler off (well, it was on for a few weeks and then turned off many months ago b/c of some wonkiness). We were under the impression that Aug 4th it'd flip to the New Scheduler.

I'm hesitant to flip it, b/c we found prior (many many months ago) that things made in the prior scheduler went missing in the New Scheduler. This was many months ago. Flipping it on now to solve this buggy thing...are you hearing about any ill effects?

Hi, Adrienne,

Yes, it was enabled for everyone on August 4. However, one reason our engineers use feature options is in case we need to disable it temporarily for any reason, and they did find something recently where they needed to remove the enforcement until they fix their current concern, which they hope to resolve shortly. At that time, the feature option will be re-enabled for everyone. 

If the New Scheduler feature option was already enabled before August 4, it would still be on right now, so if you haven't turned it on, that's why you are seeing it off. (Other institutions who previously were using the feature option still have it enabled and don't need to do anything.) We made sure that we fixed all outstanding concerns about the feature option before it was enforced, so no reason to worry about the general use of New Scheduler. But again, if you notice the concern you are seeing is still occurring while New Scheduler is enabled, please give our support team an update.

Thanks!

Erin

 @Adrienne_J_Gaut  I've updated my CanvasLIVE page about New Scheduler with the latest fixes. I'm more confident than ever that you'll have a good experience by enabling it.

Hi, Adrienne!

Just FYI, our engineers have re-enabled the feature option for all accounts. Please let our support team know if you encounter any more troubling behaviors.

Thanks!

Erin

We've just noticed a problem with the list view feature recently released. When students select show more under the list view, it automatically takes them to the new list. I helped a student today that had no idea what they were seeing, or how they got there. I am worried that all of the students who use the show more to see the entire list of this weeks assignments will be stuck in list view without any idea how they got there or how to get back to the tile view. 

It makes sense to be able to change the view, using the edit button, but if students aren't aware of how their view changed, they are going to be more confused. Is there any way to remove that part of the new feature, the automatic change when selecting show more?

Hi, Tracey!

It's hard to keep up with changes to Canvas sometimes, and this change is meant to benefit students, although we do realize it may be a bit of a shock at first! Change is sometimes hard to accept when you're used to doing something a certain way. But never fear. We have some documentation that you can share with your students to help them learn more about this view. 

The lesson about the sidebar that everyone is used to, How do I use the To Do list and sidebar in the Dashboard as a student? , shows the sidebar Show All link and that it directs to the List View Dashboard. The List View Dashboard itself also has a lesson: How do I use the to-do list for all my courses in the List View Dashboard as a student? The last step shows how to switch back to the Card View Dashboard, if preferred.

Hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions or anything else we can help you with.

Erin 

Hi - did you manage to get this working? We are also having problems with appointments not showing in outlook. Thanks!

HI - would it be possible to get some clarification around whether the new anonymous marking functionality will work with either the Turnitin Plag Framework integration or the previous Tii LTI? Is it possible to get any timelines around this as it will help for planning rollout. Many thanks! 

Hi, Natalie,

Our teams have been working with Turnitin to ensure they have what they need to support the functionality as part of our plagiarism framework. However, Turnitin may be a better contact for an accurate timeline as to when the feature will be fully integrated on their side.

Thanks!

Erin

Hi, everyone!

Notes for our next release have been posted: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-15415-canvas-release-notes-2018-09-15 

Thanks!

Erin