The Performance and Usability Upgrades for SpeedGrader feature provides foundational improvements to SpeedGrader’s backend, delivering faster load times and enhanced stability. Additional updates include:

• A streamlined interface for the Section drop-down menu.
• A clearer, more prominent No Submission alert.
• An improved interface for courses without content.
• Submission Status updated to a drop-down menu.
• Rubrics automatically display in the traditional view.
• Media attachments and submission comments are repositioned, and the delete icon has been updated.
• A Comment Library filter.
• Support for moderated grading
• The Assignment Comment Editor supports images, math, and course links.
• A Multi-Select Sections filter.

This feature enhances performance for a faster, smoother experience for users handling larger courses or complex assignments. Upgrading the backend technology improves SpeedGrader’s ability to manage high-demand tasks more efficiently and reliably.

The No submission alert is enhanced for better visibility and clarity.

Instructors can edit the submission status using the updated Status drop-down menu.

Rubrics automatically display in the traditional view.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2026-01-17)

The IgniteAI Search for Courses, previously Smart Search feature, is no longer in feature preview and available as a feature option for all institutions. It can be added to a course by

Search for Courses in Canvas uses advanced AI and semantic algorithms. The search feature understands the context of queries, providing more accurate and relevant results without needing complex search operators or tools. Currently, the feature is querying the following items within a course:

• Content pages
• Announcements
• Discussion prompts
• Assignment descriptions

When enabled at the account level, the IgniteAI Search link is enabled in the course navigation. To access Smart Search in a course, click the IgniteAI Search link.

In the IgniteAI Search page, users can enter keywords in the search field [1] and click the Search button [2] to view all results. Users can also use the Filter button [3] to narrow results and provide feedback on the search results [4].

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2025-12-13)

In the Gradebook, instructors can manage the visibility of grades and feedback for individual assignments. By default, scores and comments are released together, but instructors can schedule them to release separately. This feature gives instructors greater flexibility and control over feedback timing, allowing them to align the release of rubric scores and comments with grading workflows, review sessions, or instructional pacing. It helps ensure students receive feedback when it is most meaningful and actionable.

Notes:

• When the release schedules are separated, comments must be released prior to grades.
• Preserving scheduled feedback release dates during course copy/import is not currently supported.
• If an instructor manually releases grades before the scheduled release time, the manual release takes precedence and the scheduled release is canceled.

In the Gradebook, click the desired assignment Options [1], then click the Grade Posting Policy link [2].

Click the Manually radio button [1], then select the Schedule Release Dates checkbox [2]. Choose whether to release Grades and Comments Together or on Separate Schedules [3], and set the Release Date [4] and Time [5].

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2025-12-13)

New Quizzes now supports Survey-type quizzes, allowing instructors to collect anonymous or non-anonymous feedback, with graded or ungraded options. Instructors can view survey data in the Reports tab.

Surveys support the following question types:

• Multiple Choice
• Multiple Answer
• True/False
• Fill in the Blank
• Essay
• File Upload

When creating a quiz, click the Quiz Type drop-down menu to select the survey type.

In the Reports tab, instructors can view a breakdown of the results for each question.

Additional Details

• Surveys created in Classic Quizzes can be easily migrated into New Quizzes.
• Questions can be set as required or optional.

View full release notes from Canvas Support: Canvas Release Notes (2025-12-13)