EdTech Updates

Winter Term: New Library Course Reserves Tool

eReserve Plus is the new library course management system. It offers a deeper integration with Canvas, streamlines the addition of course materials into your course, and provides you with complete control of the process.

• Look for Library Course Reserves to access the new tool in your Canvas courses - the legacy Course Reserves tool will be retired on 12/21/25.
• Access the Library's eReserve Plus Guide for step-by-step instruction on adding your library course reserve materials. https://library.caltech.edu/eReservePlusLinks to an external site.
• Zoom Office Hours will be available for questions and one-on-one support in December and January. Visit the Library's course reserve page for more information. https://library.caltech.edu/search/reservesLinks to an external site.
• If you encounter any problems adding your library course materials, please do not hesitate to contact the Library at 626-395-3405 or email [email protected]

Digital Accessibility at Caltech

As part of Caltech's commitment to accessible electronic content, find guidelines, support, and resources, the Institute's Digital Accessibility Policy, and Canvas-specific accessibility tools to help ensure your sites are equally available for all individuals.

Important 2025-26 Updates

• The Caltech Canvas Course Index is now live! All courses are automatically included, making it easy to share your published Syllabus and course Description with prospective students and colleagues.
  • Access via Courses > All Courses > Browse More Courses (or at https://caltech.instructure.com/search/all_courses/)
  • Find more information here: /caltech-canvas-course-index
• Beginning with Spring Term 2024-25, Teacher and Admin Assistant roles will remain active in courses even after student enrollments are concluded (after grades are submitted).  This change makes it easier to reference and share course materials after the term ends.
  • Courses will now remain on your Dashboard until you customize your Courses list.
  • Learn more about Dashboard organization here.

Dyslexia-Friendly Font Now Available

Caltech users can now convert all native Canvas text to the OpenDyslexic font by default. When enabled, this feature applies to system and user-generated content such as navigation menus, announcements, and assignments, but does not include uploaded files, videos, or external tools such as Piazza and Gradescope.

Click the Account tile in your upper left global navigation menu to toggle on the Use a Dyslexia Friendly Font option. Refresh the page to view changes.

Account Tray with Dyslexia Font Toggle

Image Lightbox

Account Tray with Dyslexia Font Toggle

Download Full Image

Canvas Update: Accessibility Improvement

To better support all users and meet accessibility standards, Canvas course links have been changed from orange to blue. This new color provides greater contrast for users with vision impairments.

For more information about accessibility options in Canvas, see /canvas-resources/accessibility

Spring Term 2025 Updates

Spring Quarter Canvas course shells will be released to instructors on Tuesday, February 18. Student access to the winter courses in which they are enrolled begins on 3/24.

NEW in Canvas

• Important updates can now be found in the Instructor Resources module. Please review before building your course to ensure you're aware of all Canvas changes that are implemented each term.  
• 2024-25 courses now default to the Modules view for the Home page instead of the pre-filled "Welcome" message of prior years. If a Welcome/FrontPage is preferred, use this NEW guide to change the display.
• Canvas Studio now publishes auto-generated captions for new media uploads – find more information here. To add captions to previously uploaded files, we recommend re-uploading them, as captions cannot be automatically generated for videos already in your Studio Library. Note that auto-generated captions are also not available for YouTube or Vimeo uploads.

Duo Multi-factor Authentication for Canvas on 12/16

Starting December 16 at 8:00am, Duo multi-factor authentication (MFA) will be enabled for Canvas at Caltech to help prevent unauthorized access and keep data and accounts secure. 

All campus users have already been set up for MFA and will be able to select from multiple options, including the free Duo Mobile smartphone app. 

See this IMSS News announcement for additional information!

Winter Term 2024 Updates

Winter Term 2024-25 courses will be released to instructors the week of November 11, in order to allow time to build courses before student access begins on December 30.

• Stay informed with the START HERE: Instructor Resources module. Find the most timely Canvas information via the 1.0 PLEASE READ page, updated every term.
• 2024-25 courses now default to the Course Modules view instead of the pre-filled "Welcome" page of prior years.
  • Create a "Welcome - Start Here!" module for students, and include important information, a course To Do list, and guidance on how to navigate your site.
  • To use a Welcome page, design a new front page (or find your imported one), and use this guide to change the Course Home Page.

Access to Echo360 Recordings Ends November 1, 2024

As of November 1, links to recordings of courses, lectures, workshops, and events using the Echo360 lecture capture system are no longer available. Email [email protected] to inquire about specific recordings.

Gradescope LTI Updates in Canvas

The Gradescope application has been upgraded to the latest standard (LTI 1.3), with a number of enhancements in security and Canvas integration. Some important changes:

• Assignment creation now starts in Canvas. Assignments created from Gradescope can no longer be linked back to Canvas.
• Gradescope is now accessible in the Canvas Course Assignments 3-dot menu, allowing instructors to create linked assignments in one workflow.
• Gradescope is now embedded within Canvas unless the box "open in a new window" is checked during set-up. If not selected, edit options may be unavailable.
• TA roles in Canvas are now mapped as TA roles in Gradescope so TAs have the ability to help set up assignments.
• Note that assignment dates in Canvas and Gradescope do not sync. If different dates are provided on each platform, priority will be given to the platform where students upload submissions. Vote to add this functionality to the Gradescope roadmap here.
• Get started with the full instructor guide here.