Canvas Corner: Updated Features- Discussions, Gradebook, & Settings

In the December 2021 Canvas release, the discussions setting menu includes several terminology adjustments, the grade book settings menu has been adjusted to a sidebar, and the course publish and unpublish buttons display in the course settings page.  

Discussions 

Settings Menu Terminology Adjustments 

Summary 

The Discussions Settings menu includes several terminology adjustments. This change aligns with Discussions terminology and also prepares for future Discussion enhancements. 

Feature Workflow 

In the Discussions Settings menu, the Edit Discussion Settings title has been renamed to Discussion Settings. In the list of menu options, references to posts have been renamed to reply or replies. 

Discussion Settings

Discussions Settings Menu 

 

Gradebook 

Settings Sidebar Adjustment 

Summary 

The Gradebook Settings Menu has been adjusted to a sidebar. This change aligns consistency with other menus in Canvas. 

Feature Workflow 

When the Gradebook Settings Icon is selected, the content displays as a sidebar instead of a new window within the browser. No Settings functionality has been affected. The Late Policies and the Grade Posting Policy tabs display by default. The Final Grade Override tab only displays if the feature is turned on for the course. If available, the feature will be available in the Course Settings Feature Preview tab. 

Settings 

Course Settings Publish Buttons
 

Summary 

Course Publish and Unpublish buttons display in the Course Settings page. This change allows courses to be published from either the Course Settings page or the Dashboard. 

Feature Workflow 

In the Course Details tab, the top of the Course Settings sidebar includes the course Publish and Unpublish buttons. Courses can be published and unpublished from either the Dashboard or Course Settings. When a course includes graded submissions, the course can no longer be unpublished and the buttons will be removed from the page. 

Course Details

Course Settings Publish/Unpublish Buttons 

The Full Canvas Release Notes can be found here – Canvas Release Notes (2021-12-01) – Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)