A listing of all news and updates pertaining to ISU’s instructional tools.
Have questions about one of these updates?
Email celt-help@iastate.edu or attend a training from one of our learning tech partners.
Perusall Exchange: Attend the asynchronous learning conference (May 17-18, 2021)
From May 17-28, Perusall will host Perusall Exchange, an asynchronous social learning conference, with more than 50 sessions across a diverse array of disciplines that
Top Hat: Lifetime access to textbook copies
Students are now provided with lifetime access to a read-only copy of any textbook they purchase through Top Hat. With this feature, students have continued
Webex: Customized Views, Improved Stage Options, Mobile Enhancements
The Webex 41.4 update includes the following enhancements to Webex Meetings: Zoom In and Zoom Out in Grid View, Customize the Stage View, Simplified Layout Options, Sync my Stage for Everyone, Customized Layouts Attendee Support, and iPhone Breakout Room Host Support.
Studio Release: Chromebook compatibility (March 30, 2021)
In this Studio release (March 30), Chromebook users can seamlessly capture their screen or webcam and upload their video to Studio.
LinkedIn Learning is now available as an external app in Canvas
On Monday, April 12, 2021, LinkedIn Learning will become available as an external app in Canvas. View the LinkedIn Learning tech page for more insight
Canvas Release: Course availability date enhancements (April 17, 2021)
The April 17, 2021 Canvas Release includes updates to Course Availability Date Enhancements. Instructors can now choose to use term or course start and end dates via a dropdown in the course settings. Term dates specified by the institution are now visible in this same location.
Canvas Deploy: Gradebook tooltip, delayed announcements, external apps and assignment scores (April 14, 2021)
The April 14, 2021 Canvas Deploy addresses feature and bug fixes for Gradebook tooltips, delayed announcements and the Safari browser, and external apps (LTI) and Complete/Incomplete assignment types.
Microsoft Immersive Reader now available for free
Microsoft Immersive Reader, a free tool that uses proven techniques to improve reading for all, is now available within Canvas.
Canvas Deploy: Submit Assignment button, Limited attempts on external apps, gradebook refresh (March 31, 2021)
The March 31, 2021, Canvas Deploy includes changes to the submit assignment button label, properly accounting for limited attempts on external apps, and improved speed in the gradebook by eliminating a page refresh when switching views.
Canvas Release: Learning Mastery Gradebook, File Previews, Submission Reassignments, Course Availability Dates, and Webcam Submissions (March 20, 2021)
The March 20, 2021 Canvas Release includes updates to the Learning Mastery Gradebook, File Previews, Submission Reassignments, Course Availability Dates, and Webcam Submissions.
Canvas Deploy: File Folder Structure in Blueprint Courses and Rich Content Editor focus (March 17, 2021)
The March 17, 2021 Canvas Deploy addresses issues with the File Folder Structure in Blueprint Courses and Rich Content Editor focus when switching between modes.
Canvas Deploy: Quiz Questions and Rich Content Editor (March 3, 2021)
The March 3, 2021 Canvas Deploy addresses several accessibility and user interface bugs as well as mathematical formulas in quiz questions, numerical quiz questions with precision answers, and an update to the accessibility checker in the the text editor.
Submit midterm grades for Spring 2021
Spring 2021 midterms are due Mar. 19 by 2:15 p.m. Review the key concepts for grading in Canvas, then Submit Grades using ISU AdminTools. Only
Canvas Release: LaTeX, HTML Editor
LaTeX becomes more widely available and HTML code can be formatted and colorized for easier manipulation. Effective February 20, 2021.
Canvas: Course Conclusion (Fall 2020 Courses)
Canvas courses from Fall 2020 will be concluded in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 16.
Canvas: Student View Button, Rich Content Editor, Minor Visual Improvements, Quiz Previews
Contains updates to the Student View button, Rich Content Editor, the styling of People and Syllabus pages, and functionality of Instructors’ quiz previews. Effective February 17, 2021.
TurnItIn: Draft Coach Now Available for Students
TurnItIn Draft Coach supports students in delivering high-quality academic writing, using text similarity checking to highlight the importance of research and correctly citing sources. Students
Grammarly: Improvements on Mobile Devices
Five reasons you should consider using Grammarly on your phone: (1) fewer typos, errors, and mistakes, (2) searchable emojis, (3) a bigger vocabulary, (4) works where you work, and (5) personalization settings.
Webex: Modifications to Recordings for Virtual Meetings
Recordings for Webex meetings scheduled within Canvas will now appear in the Recordings section of Virtual Meetings. This change includes cloud recordings of any meeting launched from within Canvas or externally through the Webex web portal, the desktop app, or on a mobile device.
Canvas: Improved Rich Content Editor, Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
Improves the size of the Rich Content Editor and addresses several behind-the-scenes bugs. Effective February 3, 2021.
Canvas: Anonymous Grading Now Enabled
You can now allow anonymous grading and anonymous annotation of student submissions in Canvas assignments. Both options can be enabled from within the assignments’ Details tab.
Canvas: Rich Content Editor, Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
Fixed several behind-the-scenes bugs and added the ability to remove multiple hyperlinks at the same time in the New Rich Content Editor. Effective January 20, 2021.
Canvas: Push Notifications, Feature Options
Push notifications have been simplified and the feature flags have been changed to a dropdown menu and lock icon. Effective January 16, 2021.
Canvas: Miscellaneous Bug Fixes
Fixed several behind-the-scenes bugs. Effective January 6, 2021.
Canvas: Media Icon Replaced with Studio
Canvas Media button replaced with Studio link. Effective December 22, 2020.