May 1, 2025
Discussion Checkpoints: Separate Due Dates and Points for Initial Post and Replies
The wait is over, this highly anticipated feature is finally here! Now, instructors can set separate due dates and point allotments for a student's initial post to a discussion and their subsequent replies to their peers' posts. So if you require a student to reply to one, two, or ten of their peers, you can set that requirement in the discussion settings, and then confer the points for each part of the assignment - and it will only appear as one column in the gradebook!
Caveats: Currently, the Discussion Checkpoints feature is not available for Group Discussions, and it is not clear whether that functionality will be available in the future [update, as of 6/9/2024, Instructure has reported that group discussions will be supported as of 6/18/2024]. Secondly, given the added complexity of this new feature, practice vigilance when adding Discussion Checkpoints into workflows such as course copying (dates may not copy correctly), late policies, and module requirements. We encourage instructors to double-check due dates, communicate frequently with students, and reach out to ETO for support (eto@framingham.edu) if needed.
Student Analysis Report now Available in New Quizzes
In New Quizzes, instructors can now generate a Student Analysis Report, which shows each student's response to each question. Previously, this type of report was only available in Classic Quizzes. The Student Analysis Report can be downloaded as a CSV. Each row contains information about a quiz attempt by a single student (so there should be at least one row for every student in the class who submitted). In each row will contain many columns of information about each question on the quiz (question type, earned points, student response) , as well as information about the attempt as a whole (submission time, overall score, etc).
With is update, there is now nearly 100% feature parity between New Quizzes and Classic Quizzes. For a full comparison, see: Classic Quizzes/New Quizzes Comparison Document
New Course Available through Training Services Portal: Fundamentals of Accessible Digital Content in Canvas
Beginning in April 2026, all web content, including digital course material,must meet particular technical standards for accessibility that have been recently clarified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (see DOJ fact sheet below for more information).
It is now every instructor's responsibility to ensure that their online course material is ADA-compliant. Instructure (Canvas) is offering a free course designed to guide all Canvas educators in making their learning content accessible to every student. This course is available through the Training Services Portal, which can be found in the Canvas "Help and Information Menu" located at the bottom of the Global Navigation Menu (far left of every Canvas page). Locate the “Fundamentals of Accessible Digital Content in Canvas” course and Click “Enroll Now” to get started! For additional help, refer to this guide with steps for accessing the On-Demand Training Portal.
The course will take about 1 hour to complete and there is an opportunity to earn a digital badge upon completion.
Caveat: in this course, users will find occasional references to "Canvas Studio," a video management solution not available at FSU. However, our current video management solution, Panopto Video, offers the same accessibility features including the ability to add easily add captions to all videos.
More Information
View Past "What's New In Canvas?" Articles
Full Canvas Release Notes
What's New in Canvas? is a semesterly article that showcases the latest features and enhancements in FSU's Canvas learning management system and highlights existing features you may not be leveraging to their fullest potential. Brought to you by the Education Technology Office (ETO).