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Canvas

EdTech Updates

Read here for recent updates to the Canvas LMS environment, as well as other tools in the Caltech educational technology ecosystem

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.

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 amt@caltech.edu 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.