Canvas Feature Updates
Instructure's Modernized SpeedGrader is a leap forward in grading technology for faculty, offering you a faster, more intuitive, and more flexible experience. Whether you're managing a large lecture course or providing personalized feedback in a seminar, SpeedGrader now adapts to your workflow with ease.
When the Use Dyslexia Friendly Font feature option is enabled in User Settings, the Canvas interface and the Rich Content Editor display text using the OpenDyslexic font by default. If the feature is disabled, both OpenDyslexic and OpenDyslexic Mono are available as font options within the Rich Content Editor.
The Apply Score to Ungraded feature option allows you to apply scores to all ungraded submissions and artifacts from assignment groups and Total column menus.
When copying a group assignment from one course to another, a new group set with the same name as the original is now created in the destination course if no matching group set exists.
Canvas Learning Tools
Canvas Learning Tools (LTIs and Applications) are third-party programs built in house or by other organizations that can be installed in Canvas.
After installation, access is governed by the LTI's functionality but most can be enabled though course navigation settings.
A list of University sponsored LTIs is available on the Digital Learning Technologies website.
Cidi Lab's Design Tools will now default to the a new version, DesignPLUS, which has been configured to reflect the University of Utah's updated branding guidlines.
DesignPLUS is a time-saving, easy-to-use Canvas plug-in that helps you rapidly build and style high-quality courses that make learning engaging and accessible for all students.
While DesignPLUS will now be set as the default in Canvas, the legacy version will still be available for use for those who need it.
Legacy Design Tools can be enabled by using the keyboard shortcut Alt/Option+Shift+D after choosing the Design Tools icon in the top right corner of any "Edit" page in your Canvas Course.
Poll Everywhere transforms presentations into interactive conversations, empowering audiences to share real-time feedback through dynamic, live responses.
FeedbackFruits is an integrated LMS tool suite to create and scale engaging learning experiences. Included are tools for assessment, feedback, social annotation, polling, engagement and interaction.
Coming Spring 2026. In accordance with House Bill 261 (HB 261), instructors at public institutions of higher education are legally required to make their syllabi accessible to the public. The University of Utah has purchased Simple Syllabus to help streamline this process. The Syllabus tab in Canvas course navigation will be replaced with a link to the Simple Syllabus program where students can access the necessary material.
The University of Utah has licensed many LTIs that are available to Canvas users university wide. Some LTIs, which are not licensed University wide, are only available to certain individuals and departments.
To request installation of an LTI, please fill out the LTI Request Form.