A listing of all news and updates pertaining to ISU’s instructional tools.
Technology Updates (December 2, 2020)
December 2, 2020 updates include: Canvas Rich Content Editor, ISU AdminTools course conclusion, Webex, Turnitin, Panopto, Piazza, and FERPA Enforcement.
Winter Session 2021 now available in Global Course Administration
Instructors teaching in the winter session can now create Winter Session 2021 Canvas courses using the Prepare to Teach tool.
CELT-help’s most frequently asked questions for October 2020
Do you wonder what questions were asked via celt-help@iastate.edu most during October? Below are the questions in no particular order.
Update on New Quizzes implementation in Canvas
The ISU Learning Technology Change Advisory Board continues to monitor the progress and development of the Canvas New Quizzes tool.
Canvas Release (October 2020)
In the October 17, 2020 Canvas Release, the Global Navigation Menu includes a Recent History link, the user-level Notifications page has been updated, and the MathJax JS library has been improved to render equations in a more accessible format.
Canvas Deploy (October 7, 2020)
In the October 7, 2020 Canvas Deploy, the word “Assignment” has been replaced with “Artifact” in the Gradebook history, the Add Group window has an updated design, and the hidden label is not displayed in the grade detail tray of anonymously graded assignments.
Top Hat gains virtual classroom features
On September 30, virtual classroom features will be enabled in Top Hat to provide additional options for remote delivery.
Ares Course Reserves is unresponsive – RESOLVED
Sept. 28, 5:00 p.m. — Course Reserves are once again available inside Canvas.
Why Attend CanvasCon Online (Oct. 15), You Ask?
Why Attend CanvasCon Online (Oct. 15), You Ask? Join us for professional development, idea-sharing, and skill-building at CanvasCon Online. It’s a FREE global conference for
Course conclusion in Canvas
On the evening of Tuesday, September 29th, any course created for a semester prior to Fall 2020 will be concluded. Courses with end dates set in the future will be excluded.
Now active in Canvas: Echo360’s Embedded Polling and Interactive Media
Echo360’s Embedded Polling and Interactive Media option is now active in Canvas at ISU. If you use Echo360 and would like to know more, review
Webex Meetings to have breakout rooms
On Sept. 15, breakout rooms and other training capabilities will be added to Webex Meetings.
Using Zoom for class
Although Zoom is not integrated with Canvas, it can still be used to host virtual class sessions. See the Canvas documentation on using Zoom in
Best Practices for Securing Your Zoom Classroom
Keep your meetings secure. Read the Zoom blog to learn how to: Lock your Zoom room Control screen sharing Enable the Waiting Room Lock down
Synchronous meetings with Microsoft Teams
Using MS Teams means that classes and organizations can chat, meet, call, and collaborate all in one place, no matter where people are located.
Canvas Release (September 2020)
In the September 2020 Canvas Release, New Analytics gains the ability to create CSV reports.
Webex user experience updates
On Sept. 8, Webex Meetings will have a more intuitive and convenient user experience: better buttons, better meeting panels, and targeted updates for upcoming changes.
Canvas Terms of Use FAQ
Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions pertaining to the use of Canvas at Iowa State University.
Exploring the ability to associate pronouns with your Canvas profile at ISU
ISU is exploring the best way to enable a recent Canvas update that includes users’ ability to associate their profiles with their pronouns in Canvas.
Canvas Release (August 2020)
In the August 2020 Canvas Release, these updates became part of the main Canvas environment: Bulk delete pages, Hide the Section Column from students, see all previous Global Announcements.
Extended Wait Times for Canvas Support
Users are experiencing extended wait times when contacting Canvas Support. Read which information is key to obtaining help faster and consider reaching out to your local support unit in the meantime.
Webex: Classroom Collaborations slows down Virtual Meetings
Webex Classroom Collaborations has been experiencing issues. It has been slowing down the Virtual Meetings and Office Hours panels and is sending multiple emails to
Canvas Release (July 2020)
In the July 2020 Canvas Release, many features released during the spring became part of the main Canvas environment: Direct share assignments, Bulk edit due and availability dates, Limit submission attempts on assignments, Enhancements to file uploads in Modules, Course-specific notification muting, Rubrics moved to the course navigation.
Canvas News & Updates (Archived)
See the archive of Canvas News & Updates from Summer 2020 and earlier.
Known Technology Issues (Archive) — Resolved
See a list of known issues from Summer 2020 and earlier.