What Instructors Need to Know about the Updated Canvas Gradebook

New menu icons and capabilities were added to the Canvas Gradebook Spring Semester 2020. To ensure that we could support University instructors who use the tool, Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS) worked in collaboration with several UMN colleges and peer institutions (Penn State, Oregon State, University of Nebraska) to evaluate the usability of the new Canvas Gradebook. Below we share key findings from the study and recommendations for how to address them.

Key Findings

1. The purpose of the “three dots” icon that appears in each Gradebook column is not clear to many instructors. 
   • Most instructors did not intuit that by hovering over the three dots icon (found in each assignment column header), the Assignment menu would appear.
      

1. The purpose of the Canvas function labeled ‘Grade Posting Policy’ is unclear. 
   • When instructors are grading an assignment and want to release grades to all students at one time, they should use the Manual Grade Posting Policy.
2. The meaning of the colors and symbols used in the Gradebook is unclear and the key to understanding them is difficult to find.
   • Many of the icons or colors used to indicate information about grades were unclear to instructors (e.g., crossed out eyeball; three dots, etc.).  
3. There is uncertainty about what actions trigger student notifications.
   • Instructors wanted to know what type of notifications students get when settings are changed and/or grades are released. 

Recommendations

Understand the Gradebook assignment menu (3 dots) options

• See How do I use the Gradebook? Guide for information on each option. The detailed explanation is toward the bottom under the “View Assignment Column” header 

Set a grade posting policy BEFORE grading assignments.

• To hide grades from student view until you are done grading, we recommend using a Grade Posting Policy. Learn how to release grades using the “Manual Grade Posting” feature:
  • For individual assignments, see: How do I select a grade posting policy for an assignment in the Gradebook?
  • For all the assignments in a whole course, see: How do I select a grade posting policy for a course in the Gradebook?
  • Use caution if you select ‘hide grades’ in the Assignment menu or Speedgrader, this action will only hide existing grades, not future grades you enter. See the guide on How do I hide or post assignment grades in SpeedGrader?
  • If you have already started grading and want to hide grades (or release some grades) see how to Troubleshoot Issues with Posting and Hiding Grades in the Gradebook 

Learn the icons and colors you will see in the Gradebook

• This guide on How do I use the icons and colors in the Gradebook? provides a key to the various icons and colors that may display in the Gradebook. 

Be aware of Canvas notifications to students

• This guide on Canvas Notifications has information about all student notifications. (pg 8 has the specific information about grades) 

For complete details on the Usability scenarios that were used see the Usability Evaluation Summary Report

Learn More and Get Help

• Register on Training Hub for the Build-your course: Gradebook workshop scheduled for December 1 at 11. a.m.
• Email [email protected] for help with your technical how-to questions.
• Complete the Teaching Support Request Form for a consultation with teaching and learning with technology support professional. All questions and levels of experience with technology are welcome!