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, we’re excited to share about Canvas’ new AI-powered translation tool and New Quiz surveys, along with some hefty updates for some of our integrations! Read about the changes and additions to Copyleaks, Macmillan, PlayPosit, and Cidi Labs below.
Translations for Inbox, Discussions & Announcements
IgniteAI Translations for Discussions & Announcements is an AI powered tool that instructors can choose to enable for their courses. When turned on, both instructors and students will have the ability to translate course Announcements and Discussion topics and replies. To use the tool, click the Open Translate button, then select a language from the available language list and click Translate. The original text will be displayed alongside the translated text. There are currently 10 supported languages, with more on the way.
To enable for your course, (1) navigate to the course Settings, then click the (2) “Feature Options” tab. Find the feature option called (3) “IgniteAI Translations for Discussions & Announcements” and (4) click the red X to select “Enable.” A green check mark will denote that the tool has been successfully enabled for your course.
New Quizzes: Surveys
Surveys are now available as a quiz type for New Quizzes. (Previously, only Classic Quizzes could be configured as surveys.) Surveys can be set to collect anonymous or non-anonymous feedback and can be graded or ungraded, with deeper data analysis available through the “Reports” tab.
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 school’s designated ATSD or send an email to help@smu.edu.
Copyleaks’ Assessment Overview Tool
First, Copyleaks now has a robust 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 instructionsfor adding this tool to your course, and don’t forget to reach out to your ATSD with any questions!
Note: Assignments that were created before Monday, November 24th and have not been opened and saved again by the instructor will be excluded from the tool.
Additionally and separate from the Assessment Overview Tool, you can now set course-wide default scan settingswithout needing to edit each new assignment! Simply go into any assignment’s settings link and click the checkbox at the bottom that says “Apply settings for the whole course.” Visit Copyleaks’ Knowledge Base to learn more.
Note: This option will not appear until you have created at least two assignments in the course.
New 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 ATSD or send an email to help@smu.edu.
