Canvas Corner: New SpeedGrader Options and Lucid for Education 

Canvas has just added two new features that you may want to explore for use in your courses. One is a new feature in the SpeedGrader that allows you to utilize a screen capture to guide students with feedback when grading. Another is a tool called Lucid for Education, which is a suite of visual applications for creating diagrams, charts, and whiteboards. These can be used to convey information to students, and as a tool students can use for completing assignments.  

SpeedGrader: Studio Media Comment Screen Capture

You may have previously seen or used the option in SpeedGrader to record a video comment for students when grading their submissions. This is a nice feature which allows you to use a different format to give feedback, allowing students to watch a video rather than read text comments. Canvas has now added a screen capture tool which can be used to further enhance video comments. Instructors can now give visual feedback while showing the submission on the screen or other visual content that may be helpful. You can record your audio comments while recording your selected content. The screen capture option will also supply automated captions which enhance accessibility options, although please note that the captions may take a few minutes to populate. (It is not necessary to wait for the captions before moving on to the next submission.) Also, please note that the screen recorder is currently only available in the Chrome and Edge browsers. 

  1. To use the new screen capture tool in SpeedGrader, click on the record icon below the comment area. Then, click “Screen Capture.”
  2. By default, screen capture is disabled, so you must click “enable” each time to use it.
    An arrow points to the Scrren Capture video icon underneath a new comment in SpeedGrader.
    The Screen Capture dropdown is highlighted and open, showing an Enabled and Disabled option, next to the Start Recording button.
  1. You can then select whether you want to share a specific tab, window, or your entire screen. 
  2. Once you select your content, click “Share” at the bottom of the window.

    Arrows point to tabs shown when selecting what to share in your screen recording. The Tab options show 'Microsoft Edge tab', Window, and Entire Screen options. Below the selected tab shows the options for sharing, Entire Screen is selected, so the options show Screen 1 or Screen 2. Another arrow points to the Share button.

 

  1. When you click on “Share” you will see options on the bottom of the screen to manage webcams and audio.
  2. You can then click “Start Recording” on the bottom right to start the screen capture.

    Arrows point to the video selection icon, and the Start Recording button.
  3. Once you have completed your recording, click on the button at the top that says, “Finish Recording.”

    A screen recording is in progress, and an arrow points to the Finish Recording button at the top right corner of SpeedGrader.
  4. Finally, click on “Save Media” on the bottom right. Your video comment will now appear in the SpeedGrader comment area for students to view.

    On a finished screen recording, an arrow points to the Save Media button.

 

For more information on the new SpeedGrader screen capture options, please visit: Canvas Release Notes (2024-06-15) – Instructure Community – 604239 (canvaslms.com). 

Lucid for Education

Lucid for Education is a set of tools for diagramming, data visualization, whiteboards and more. It allows instructors and students to share their creations and also allows for collaborative projects and assignments. Lucid for Edu has two components called Lucidspark and Lucidchart. All NSU courses now have access to both of them directly in the Rich Content Editor that is found in Canvas Pages, Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes.  

Lucid has the potential to expand opportunities for engagement and collaboration. The tools are intuitive to use, and everything is cloud-based, allowing work to continue across time and locations. Work can be done collaboratively in real time. There are hundreds of templates you can utilize for your courses. Lucidspark allows you to create whiteboards that can be used individually or collaboratively. Among its many features and templates, it also allows breakout whiteboards for students to work in smaller groups and has features like a timer that can be used for class activities. Lucidchart is an intelligent diagraming application that allows you to create visual representations of information, organizational charts, mind maps, etc. You can learn more about Lucid for Education by visiting: The Power of 21st Century Learning | Lucid for Education; Where teamwork and ideas (lucidspark.com); and Intelligent Diagramming | Lucidchart. 

  1. To access Lucid, go to anywhere in your Canvas course that utilizes the Rich Content Editor. You can click on the Lucid icon or find it under the Apps button. It makes no difference which one you choose.

    In the Canvas editor, an arrow points to two buttons: the Lucid icon (a stylized L), and the Apps dropdown (a plug icon), where you can also select to embed a Lucid document.
  2. The first time you access Lucid, you will need to go through a quick set-up process. First, you will see a window where you can view your role, and where you will be asked whether your classroom includes students who are younger than 13. Answer the question and click “next” at the bottom right of the window. (Your students will go through a similar process for their first login, with the question asking them if they are over 13.)

    The Embed Lucid Document window is shown. The initial question asks if the classroom includes students younger than 13 years old. An arrow points to the next button at the bottom right.
  3. Next you will be asked to log in or sign up to connect your Canvas account to Lucid. Click the button that says, “Sign up.”

    The Embed Lucid Document window is shown, with buttons to 'Log in' or 'Sign Up', an arrow points to the Sign Up button.
  4. You will see a screen with a button prompting you to create an account with Lucid. Click the button on the bottom right that says, “Continue.”

    The screen to create an account with Lucid is shown. An arrow points to the Continue button.
  5. You will then see a message letting you know that you’ve been upgraded to a free educational plan. Click “continue” again on the bottom right.

    The Embed Lucid Document window is shown, confirming the user has been upgraded to a free Educational plan. An arrow points to the Continue button.
  6. Next, you will then see a welcome message with some information about Lucid that prompts you to connect to your Canvas account. Click “Get Started” on the bottom right.

    The Embed Lucid Document window is shown, with a welcome message. An arrow points to the Get Started button.
  7. Finally, you will see a screen asking you to grant access to connect your Canvas account. Click the button on the bottom right that says, “Grant Access.”

    The window says, 'Connect Canvas for Lucidchart and Lucidspark to User Account', stating a third-party application is requesting access. An arrow points to the Grant Access button.
  8. You can now begin exploring Lucid from the Rich Content Editor anywhere it appears in Canvas by clicking on the Lucid icon or the Apps button.

    In the Canvas editor, an arrow points to two buttons: the Lucid icon (a stylized L), and the Apps dropdown (a plug icon), where you can also select to embed a Lucid document.
  9. A Lucid window will open. From here you can see your Lucid documents or start new ones. When you click the “add New” button, you will see the options for either Lucidchart or Lucidspark.

    The Embed Lucid Document window is shown, an arrow points to the New button, where you can select a new Lucidchart or a new new Lucidspark document.
  10. You can also create assignments for students using Lucid, choosing Lucid as an external tool under the “Submission Type” option.

    A portion of the Canvas Assignment screen is shown, focusing on the Submission Type field. Arrows point to selecting External Tool from the dropdown, and a Find button, where you can select Lucid as the External Tool. Another arrow points to the Select button.

For more information on how to create an assignment with Lucid, please visit: How do I create a Lucid assignment? – Instructure Community – 606354 (canvaslms.com)