Every month in Canvas Corner, we discuss the new features and enhancements available in Canvas.This month, we cover new calculator functions, the ability to use scientific notation for quiz responses, and accommodations being allowed on an assessment-level basis. Plus, there are improvements to DocViewer and new opportunities to vote on improvements from the Canvas Community.
Improvements to Quizzes.Next in Canvas Courses
Calculator Functions
In the Settings menu for quizzes.next, instructors can now choose to allow students to view a calculator with basic or scientific functions.
Students can open the calculator by clicking the Calculator icon. The calculator functions are the same as calculators enabled from the individual question.
Scientific Notation Responses
Instructors can create Numeric questions that require responses in a scientific notation. For the Exact Response requirement, student answers must match the scientific notation input exactly. For the Within a Range requirement, student answers must fall within the scientific notation range inputs.
The accepted format for scientific notation answers is m*10^n, where m represents the coefficient (the number being multiplied), the asterisk represents the multiplication function, and ^n represents the exponent. For example, the answer 6.9832*10^8 would represent 6.9832 times 10 to the eighth power.
Scientific notation answers are not supported for Margin of Error or Precise Response options.
Accommodations Allowed on a Assessment-Level Basis
Students can be provided with assessment-level accommodations of additional time or attempts with Instructor approval. These features operate in addition to the existing course-level accommodation of giving extra time to a student. Assessment-level accommodations cannot reduce the effect of course-level accommodations.
Assessment-level accommodations can be managed by opening the Moderation panel for any student on the Moderate page. From the Moderation panel, instructors can enter the number of additional attempts, give the student additional time, or remove the time limit completely.
The course-level accommodations that were previously managed from the Moderation panel have been moved to the Accommodations column and can be accessed by clicking the Edit icon. The Accommodations column also displays the cumulative effect of course-level and assessment-level time accommodations that apply to a student.
DocViewer Improvements
Empty Rows and Columns
DocViewer previews of XLSX files render empty rows and columns to maintain formatting from the original document.
Explanation: Previously, DocViewer removed empty rows and columns from XLSX spreadsheet files. DocViewer has been updated so empty rows and columns will no longer be removed.
Excel Graph Rendering has been fixed.
Graphs created in spreadsheets and rendered in DocViewer display correct data and legend information.
Explanation: In some cases, DocViewer would render graphs created in spreadsheets with incorrect or missing data or legend information. DocViewer has been updated to correctly render graph data and legend information.
Scatter Graph Trendlines
Scatter graphs in Word documents correctly display trendlines in DocViewer.
Explanation: In some cases, scatter graphs created in Word documents would not display the correct trendline when rendered in DocViewer. DocViewer has been updated so trendlines will be correctly displayed.
Upvote Feature Requests from the Canvas Community
The Instructure takes feedback from the Canvas Community to improve the Canvas LMS. Anyone can submit new ideas to strengthen Canvas.
Below are some feature requests and ideas in the Canvas Community open for voting that might be of interest to our users:
- Allow students to View Feedback from the Grades page
- Allow Multiple Submission Types on the Same Assignment
- Add Save & Publish button to Announcements
- To be able to Rotate an image inside the Rich Content Editor.
- Delete submissions by students
Some requests from last month are still open for voting:
- Attendance Overhaul
- Printable / PDF-exportable quizzes
- Ability to Save and Copy from Frequently Used Comments in Speedgrader/DocViewer
- Adjust all assignment and quiz dates on a single page
WalkMe Guides
WalkMe provides real-time guidance that is easy to follow by providing on-screen, step-by-step instructions that you can utilize to complete any task successfully. To access a WalkMe guide, simply click on the Canvas WalkThru menu and type in a question or task, then follow along as WalkMe shows you where to click, what settings to choose, and explains the options. If you ever experience an error in a WalkThru, please contact the IT Help Desk.
