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2023 - 2024 Updates: Sep 21 Aug 17

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Academic Technology Update

Sept 21, 2024

CANVAS: Deploy Notes Product Blogs Smart Search
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY: Full Course Remediation Assistance Available
ZOOM: Minimum Client Version 6.1.1
PANOPTO: Panopto 15.0 Release
MICROSOFT 365: Microsoft Updates

Canvas

'Assign To' Comes to Modules

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Aug 17, 2024

CANVAS: Deploy Notes Product Blogs Smart Search
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY: Full Course Remediation Assistance Available
ZOOM: Minimum Client Version 6.1.1
PANOPTO: Panopto 15.0 Release
MICROSOFT 365: Microsoft Updates

Canvas

'Assign To' Comes to Modules

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July 20, 2024

CANVAS: 'Assign To' Comes to Modules Rubrics Redesign Phase 1 Inbox Updates Deploy Notes Product Blogs Smart Search
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY: Full Course Remediation Assistance Available
ZOOM: Minimum Client Version 6.1.1
PANOPTO: Panopto 15.0 Release
MICROSOFT 365: Microsoft Updates

Canvas

'Assign To' Comes to Modules

This is NEW for Modules; however, the new 'Assign To' UI (user interface) will ripple throughout other elements in Canvas. Most notably, Assignments; Discussions; and Pages

Summary: On the Modules page, instructors can assign students to an entire module and individual module items from the Modules page. Additionally, the Add Module and Edit Module Settings pages are redesigned as trays.

Notes:

If a student is assigned only a specific item within a module and not the entire module, they will see only that item in the feature area, such as an assignment on the assignment page, and not the rest of the module.
If a student is assigned an entire module, but only specific items within that module, students can only view the items they are assigned.

Change Benefit: This feature improves the differentiation of Modules to create a more dynamic and adaptive learning environment.

Feature Workflow

On the Modules page, instructors can also access the Assign To tab by clicking the Options icon [1]. Then, select the Assign To link [2].

Module Assign To Link
Module Assign To Link

When editing a module, the Edit Module Settings is redesigned to display as a tray with a Settings tab [1] and an Assign To tab [2].

Edit Module Tray
Edit Module Tray

Using the Assign To tab, instructors can set the module visibility to Everyone [1] or assign it to specific students [2]. In the Assign To field [3], instructors can select students or sections using the drop-down menu, typing student names, SIS IDs (if available), or section names . Lastly, click the Save button [4].

Assign To Tray
Assign To Tray

When a module is differentiated for specific students, a View Assign To link displays to easily review or edit visibility.

View Assign To Link
View Assign To Link

Note: The View Assign To link does not display if the module is assigned to everyone.

More information and screen shots, Module and Assignment Differentiation. Feature Video below:

Rubrics Redesign Phase 1

Summary: The Rubrics page at the admin and course level is redesigned, allowing admin and instructors to search and sort rubrics, view the location rubrics are used, duplicate and archive rubrics, as well as more easily edit existing rubrics. Additionally, the rubrics create and edit interface is redesigned.

Change Benefit: This feature enhances educational value and improves student learning as institutions focus on effective rubric-based assessments.

Feature Workflow

At the Account and Course level, the Rubrics page is redesigned. Tabs are available to display Saved [1] and Archived [2] rubrics. A search bar [3] is available and the Create New Rubric button [4] is updated. Admins and instructors can also sort rubrics in ascending and descending order by Rubric name [5], Total Points [6], Criterion [7], and Location Used [8]. Additionally, an options icon [9] is available for each rubric, allowing users to easily edit, duplicate, archive, or delete rubrics [10].

Account Level Rubric View
Account Level Rubric View

Note: Rubrics cannot be edited or deleted once they have been added to an assignment. However, this can be duplicated for additional edits and the creation of new rubrics.

When creating a new rubric, enter a Rubric name [1] and Rating Order [2]. To add a new criterion, click the Draft New Criterion button [3]. To create criterion from an outcome, click the Create from Outcome button [4].

Redesigned Create New Rubric Page
Redesigned Create New Rubric Page

When creating a new criterion, enter the Criterion Name [1] and Criterion Description [2]. To enable a point range, select the Enable Range checkbox [4]. Then, determine the desired Points [4]. Rating name [5], and Rating Description [6]. Then click the Save Criterion button [7].

Create New Criterion Modal
Create New Criterion Modal

Once the rubric is complete, users can edit [1], delete [2], or duplicate [3] criterion. Additionally, use the drag and drop icon [4] to re-order criteria. Then, either Save as Draft [5], Save Rubric [6], or Preview Rubric [7].

Create New Rubric Edit, Delete and Duplicate Icons
Create New Rubric Edit, Delete and Duplicate Icons

More information and screen shots, Rubric Redesign Phase 1. Feature Video below:

Inbox Updates

Add Signature to Messages

Summary: When enabled, users have the option to configure a signature when composing a message.

Change Benefit: This feature streamlines communication and enhances the effectiveness and professional appeal of inbox messages.

Feature Workflow

In the Inbox, click the Settings button.

Inbox Settings Icon
Inbox Settings Icon

To create a signature, select the Signature On radio button [1] and enter the desired signature in the Signature field [2]. Then, click the Save button [3].

Create Signature Modal
Create Signature Modal

Once a signature is saved, it displays in the message body when composing a message.

Compose Message Signature Display
Compose Message Signature Display

Add Auto Response to Messages

Summary: When enabled, users have the option to set an auto-response for messages.

Feature Workflow

To create an auto-response message, select the Response On radio button [1] and enter the Start Date [2], End date [3], Subject [4] and Message [5]. Then, click the Save button [6].

Inbox Auto Response Modal
Inbox Auto Response Modal

Feature Video

Deploy Notes

SpeedGrader - Comment Drafts
Settings - Course Import and Cross-List Section Update
Course - Course Status Update, Sort by Course Status, and Status Icon Update
People - List Sections in Alphabetical Order
Discussions - Discussion Summaries (uses a Gen AI model)
Announcements - Mark All As Read Button, Notifications for Changed Content and Availability Dates
Gradebook - Message Students Who Total Grade Update

The Product Blog

Smart Search

Summary: Smart Search is a new feature preview available in Canvas using advanced AI and semantic algorithms. The Smart Search feature understands the context of queries, providing more accurate and relevant results without needing complex search operators or tools. Currently, the Smart Search feature is querying the following items within a course:

Content pages
Announcements
Discussion prompts
Assignment descriptions

Feature Workflow

To enable Smart Search, go to Settings > Navigation tab and 'Enable' Smart Search > click Save.

For more information related to the Smart Search feature, click the How it Works button.

How it Works Button
How it Works Button

In the Smart Search field [1], enter keywords or phrases to return relevant results, then click the search icon [2], or use the enter/return key on a keyboard. Additionally, users can click the like or dislike icons [3] to provide feedback on the search results of specific items.

Smart Search Field, Search Icon and Like/Dislike Icons
Smart Search Field, Search Icon and Like/Dislike Icons

Digital Accessibility

Full Course Remediation Assistance

The Digital Accessibility Team will be available to provide support services and full course remediation over the summer. Know anyone who needs a full course remediated (Ex. A Fall 2023 course they plan to use for Fall 2024)? Please email Angela Turner.

Zoom

Zoom Minimum Client Version

On Tuesday, July 30th we will enforce a MCV of 6.1.1 for all platforms. Release Notes for Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and Web

Panopto

Panopto 15.0 Release

Improved drop-down menus and UX

Accessibility improvements included expanded keyboard commands for navigating menus and new ARIA labels for screen readers

Microsoft

Updates

Clipchamp!!! - https://clipchamp.com/en/ (Sign in with your Work Account)
Microsoft Stream screen recording and video creation – Learn More
- Stream integrated seamlessly with Clipchamp for easy video creation and editing
M365 Training (Teams, Forms, SharePoint, and SharePoint Lists) – Sign up on UTLearn
Teams and SharePoint consultations, please contact tlc-training@austin.utexas.edu
Join the UT M365 Team to Learn about Tips and Tricks – Join Now!

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