November 2019 Canvas Updates

December 2, 2019

Starting November 16, 2019, Canvas will receive a number of improvements and updates as part of the regularly-scheduled upgrade cycle by Instructure. Updates are made regularly to bring new features, improve user experience, and fix bugs. Such updates do not typically result in downtime. 

Upcoming Changes

  • Microsoft Immersive Reader
  • New Quizzes: Manually Submit In-Progress Attempts
  • Help Menu Training Services
  • Course Card Unfavorite Option

Quick Summaries

Microsoft Immersive Reader

A new integrated feature that adds accessibility and comprehension for Canvas users.

  • Previously…
    • Users relied on Canvas’ design or external tools for accessibility.
  • What’s new?
    • Immersive Reader is a free and integrated feature in Canvas that offers users advanced learning features for rich content.
  • How can this affect teaching and learning?
    • The feature increases the accessibility and comprehension options available for users viewing content on Canvas.

New Quizzes: Manually Submit In-Progress Attempts

In New Quizzes, instructors can manually submit student in-progress quiz attempts.

Note: This feature applies to New Quizzes, and not the standard Quiz tool in Canvas. At this time, CETL does not recommend using New Quizzes due to its limited functionality.

  • Previously…
    • Student attempts on quizzes without timers or due dates would never auto-submit.
  • What’s new?
    • Instructors can manually submit a quiz if a student forgets to submit a quiz submission or if the quiz needs to be graded.
  • How can this affect teaching and learning?
    • This update gives instructors control over quiz submissions in circumstances that prevent effective grading and assessment. 

Help Menu Training Services

The Help Menu will include a new training portal for administrators, instructors, and designers.

  • Previously…
    • Users did not have access to this specific set of multimedia training assets.
  • What’s new?
    • The new training portal contains self-paced training resources and one-click registration for Subscription Training Webinars.
  • How can this affect teaching and learning?
    • The change provides instructors, admins, and designers with quick access to training materials and resources directly in Canvas.

Course Card Un-favorite Option

You can un-favorite courses from your Dashboard.

  • Previously…
    • You could only remove courses from your Dashboard through the “Courses” tab.
  • What’s new?
    • You can un-favorite courses by clicking the course cards.
  • How can this affect teaching and learning?
    • The feature makes it easier to organize your favorited courses from within your Canvas dashboard.

Learn more

To learn more about this Canvas update, and to see how the changes may affect instructors’ and students’ work, refer to the audience-specific release note links.