In our Canvas Plus Monthly, we discuss the new features and enhancements available in the Canvas LMS and any updates to academic technology/software that are integrated into Canvas. This month’s update includes information about upcoming workshops, along with updated integrations for PlayPosit and Macmillan, and new tools and features for Copyleaks and Cidi Labs.
Upcoming Workshops
As we close the fall semester and prepare for the New Year, make sure to register for the last workshop of the semester: Final Grades and Wrapping Up Your Course in Canvas, on December 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. We’ll check over your Canvas course before submitting grades to my.SMU. Register today!
And coming next month, our Academic Technology specialists are ready to assist you with another round of Faculty Technology Workshops! With everything from AI learning labs to the latest and greatest in integrations and tools, you’ll have everything you need to be fully prepared for the new semester. View the schedule here to see what we have planned, and don’t forget to register!
Updates for PlayPosit and Macmillan
If you utilize PlayPosit or Macmillan in your courses, good news! These Canvas integrations have been updated to LTI 1.3, which means enhanced security, improved grade-sync reliability, and a smoother workflow. Impacted users will have received an email with more information, but if you would like to learn more about these tools and any potential changes, please reach out your ATSD or to the Canvas & Instructional Systems team at lmsadmin@smu.edu.
Copyleaks Assessment Overview Tool
Copyleaks now has an Assessment Overview Tool to help instructors streamline grading and feedback. This add-on provides quick, easy-to-read insights on student submissions and allows instructors to add in-line comments, update grades, and assess class performance from within the Similarity Report. Comments made in the tool are synced to your course’s gradebook, and your notes are available in the SpeedGrader to help facilitate grading. View the instructions for adding this tool to your course, and don’t forget to reach out to your ATSD with any questions!
Please Note: Assignments that were created before Monday, November 24, 2025, and have not been opened and saved again by the instructor will be excluded from the tool.
Cidi Labs Sidebar
We are excited to share that Cidi Labs, an advanced course content editor for Canvas, has developed an updated version of their sidebar, which is now available in all courses! If you currently use Cidi Labs, check out this Transition Aide to guide you through updating some of the legacy content in your courses.
To learn more about the new features and changes, you can read DesignPLUS Basics: Before You Begin and watch this 5-minute video that introduces the new interface. If you are interested in learning more about Cidi Labs and how to use it to create content for your course, reach out to your school’s designated ATSD or send an email to help@smu.edu.
