Latest Canvas Updates and Tools for Fall 2024 (Part 2 of 2)

Submitted by Amy Netzel on

In this follow-up to our Canvas Updates and Tools for Fall 2024 Part 1, we’d like to introduce two brand-new Canvas features that we believe many of you will enjoy exploring: Screen Capture in SpeedGrader and Lucid.

SpeedGrader’s New Screen Capture

Over the summer, Canvas quietly enhanced the feedback options available in SpeedGrader by adding a new feature called Screen Capture. Located below the Assignment Comments box in the grading pane, this feature allows you to record video feedback (or send an audio/video file) to a student through SpeedGrader.

Icon is labeled screen capture in the SpeedGrader grading Pane.

SpeedGrader’s Screen Capture can be particularly useful for providing students with:

  • Additional information based on your written feedback
  • Targeted feedback on specific parts of a submission
  • Verbal feedback (a great option if time is short!)
  • A demonstration of how to resolve an issue encountered by the student while completing the assignment.

The feedback possibilities are numerous! 

An added—and equally important—bonus is that SpeedGrader’s Screen Capture also fosters stronger student-instructor relationships, as your students can hear your voice while you provide feedback on their submissions. It could be a great way to integrate Guideline 17 of Durham Tech’s Online Course Guidelines!

Interested in learning more about SpeedGrader’s Screen Capture?

Here’s a couple of resources to help you get started:

Lucid (pronounced “LOO-sid”) Education Suite

Instructional Technologies has received a handful of recent emails from faculty who’ve already discovered this next tool. They noticed that tucked neatly next to Warpwire on the Rich Content Editor’s toolbar is an icon that wasn’t there before summer. Hovering over it, you’ll see it says: “Embed Lucid Document.”

From the Page Title field, tab once and press ALT+10 to go to the editor's toolbar

Lucid Software, a third-party developer, recently partnered with Canvas to offer the Lucid Education Suite (Lucidchart and Lucidspark) through Canvas at no additional cost. This is an exciting addition, as the Lucid Education Suite provides in-house tools for collaborative mind-mapping activities with your students that can be embedded directly into Canvas assignments, pages, quizzes, or discussions.

  • Lucidchart allows you and your students to create process maps, flowcharts, organizational structures, and technical diagrams.
  • Lucidspark is ideal for collaborative brainstorming, mind mapping, meeting facilitation, and virtual whiteboarding.

Watch the video below for a brief introduction to Lucid Education Suite.

Video length: 2 min 17 sec
Visit Amara.org to see a captioned version and transcript of this video

Learn More at a Lucid Webinar!

Canvas and Lucid are offering a webinar on how to integrate engaging Lucid activities into Canvas. Please see the registration link and webinar date options below:

  • Canvas and Lucid Webinar Registration
    • September 4, 2024 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • September 11, 2024 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • September 25, 2024 | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    • October 3, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • October 9, 2024 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • October 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Want to Give Lucid a Try?

Here are some additional resources to help you get started, along with information on the benefits of visual organization:

As we mentioned last time in Part 1, Instructional Technologies is committed to providing you with the Canvas resources and support you need. If you have any questions about Canvas, please reach out to us at canvashelp@durhamtech.edu – we are here to help!