Canvas releases new features and updates existing features approximately one time per month. We'll update this summary once per semester or whenever there are new features we think you might be interested in.
You can always see new release information from the Help Menu in Canvas by clicking on the Help icon and scrolling down to Release Notes.
This article covers the following topics:
Enabled 7/26
Differentiation Tags are a flexible, behind-the-scenes way to personalize your Canvas course. They let you create hidden, custom student groups so you can easily tailor content, assignments and communication without creating groups.
- With them you can quickly assign specific assignments, modules, Gradebook filters, or Inbox messages to targeted audiences.
- Tags are completely invisible to students.
- Only users with the Teacher role can view and manage tags.
What's the Difference Between Groups and Tags?
- Groups are collaborative spaces with certain Canvas features and tools available. Groups are visible to students.
- Tags stay hidden and don’t create student work-spaces. They are visible to Faculty and TA/grader roles, but not to students.
How to Create and Use Tags
Creating Tags
- Select People from your course menu.
- Select Manage Tags from the Tag buttons
- Create either a single tag or a tag set with multiple options.
- Once the tags are created, select students to tag using the checkbox to the left of their name in the People menu.
- Once you've selected students, select the Tag As button to select the desired tag.
Using Tags
Use the Assign To function to make assignments, discussions, quizzes, etc. available to students with a specific tag.
For more information on using Tags see "How do I create and manage Differentiation Tags as an instructor?"
Enabled 8/18/25
Assignment Enhancements is an update that improves the assignment interface and submission workflow for students.
Students will notice a change in the interface when they submit an assignment although functionality is primarily the same.
Students who want to submit through Google will need to click on the More button and select Google Assignments to access a file.
The students' view of their submission in Grades has also been updated. They will now be able to view their submission, any instructor comments on the submission document, and the rubric (if used), all by clicking on the assignment title in Grades or returning to the assignment itself.
1. Students will see the date and time their attempt was submitted. If they submitted multiple times they can see all submissions.
2. Final grade on assignment
3. To see instructor overall comments, they need to click View Feedback
4. If the instructor used Speedgrader's Doc Viewer to add inline comments on the submission, students will see them on the main grade page.
For more information, see What is Assignment Enhancements?
Enabled 8/18/25
Instructors can set multiple due dates or checkpoints for graded discussions to accommodate different stages of the discussion process, such as the initial post and follow-up replies. This option does change grading for discussions, especially if you are using rubrics.
To enable Discussion Checkpoints, edit a discussion and check (1) Graded and then (2) Assign Graded Checkpoints.
Instructors must include the possible points for the initial reply to topic (1), the number of additional replies required (2) and the possible points for additional replies (3). All points are calculated automatically and listed as the Total Points Possible (4).
In addition to points and number of replies, instructors can set different due dates for initial posts and replies.
When a discussion is added to a module, students can view all due dates and the number of replies required for a discussion. In the discussion itself, students can click on View Due Dates to see the dates. A Due Dates tray displays with all due dates for the initial response and additional replies.
In the Gradebook, discussion checkpoints are displayed in Speedgrader with two separate sections: 1) The Reply to Topic grade and 2) The Required Replies Grade. If you use a Canvas Rubric, you can still view and use the rubric for grading, but the rubric total grade will not automatically update the Reply to Topic or Required Replies Grade.
Released 6/21/25
The Files page has been redesigned.
File Management Enhancements
- Column headers support sorting.
- Manage Permissions and Manage Usage Rights open in separate modals for improved clarity.
- The View button is removed.
- A Select All checkbox and Individual file selection checkboxes are available.
- Users can bulk Download, Delete, Move and Edit Permissions and Manage Usage rights.
To select all files and folders at once, click the Select All checkbox [1]. To select files or folders individually, use the checkbox next to each file or folder[2]. Column headers can be clicked to sort files and folders [3]. To switch between the new and original Files page, click the Switch to Old/New Files Page button [4]. To view the files landing page, click the All My Files button [5]. Bulk action options are available when files and/or folders are selected [6].
Enabled 8/18/25
As the first phase of rubric overhaul, there is a new, much easier way to add and edit rubrics through the Rubrics page found on your course menu. You can view, add, duplicate, delete and edit rubrics for your course on this page. 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.
To use enhanced rubrics view these Canvas Community articles:
Enabled 8/18/25
The Submission Stickers feature option enables instructors to add stickers to individual and group assignment submissions per attempt, providing an additional way to offer feedback on Assignments, Quizzes, and Graded Discussions through Speedgrader.
In the SpeedGrader sidebar, click the Submission Sticker icon.
In the Choose a sticker pop-up window, select a sticker.