As Fall 2026 courses get underway, instructors should be aware of several updates to Canvas and its integrated tools. Changes include new rubric and quiz features, Microsoft Education updates, accessibility tools, and updates to LockDown Browser and Turnitin.
Who Is Affected?
UNCG instructors who use Canvas and its integrated teaching tools.
What’s New in Canvas?
Enhanced Rubrics
Canvas has updated its rubrics experience with several new features, including:
- An updated, faculty-friendly interface
- The ability to download rubrics and upload rubric templates
- Student self-assessments
See the Enhanced Rubrics section of the Canvas Guide for documentation.
A Student Guide for completing Self-Assessments is also available. See How do I submit a self-assessment to an assignment using Enhanced Rubrics as a student?
New Quizzes
Several features are now available in New Quizzes. Instructors can:
- Create graded and ungraded surveys with downloadable results
- Opt to award partial credit for Categorization quiz item types
- Add answer-level feedback for Multiple Answer quiz item types
Custom Course Navigation Links
Instructors no longer need to use the Redirect tool to add custom links to course navigation.
Custom course navigation can now be created directly in Canvas course settings. See How do I manage Course Navigation links? for instructions.
What Else has Changed?
Microsoft Education (Microsoft in Canvas)
Microsoft is consolidating its Canvas tools into Microsoft Education. OneDrive is now available through Microsoft Education anywhere OneDrive previously appeared in a Canvas course.
Management of class recordings has also changed. Recordings created using Microsoft Education automatically appear for instructors but must be manually released before students can view them in Canvas.
To share a recording with students:
- Open Microsoft Education
- Select Meetings.
- Select Recordings.
- Open the More Options (…) menu for the recording.
- Select Share with class.
Microsoft is still finalizing the Edit in Stream feature. Instructors should not use this feature at this time.
Accessibility Tools
As you prepare and update your Fall 2026 courses, use UDOIT Cloud and the Accessibility Checker from Canvas to identify and address accessibility issues.
Additional Accessibility updates are expected in late August or early September. Learn more through the UNCG Accessibility website at accessibility.uncg.edu.
LockDown Browser
If you use LockDown Browser (LDB) or Respondus Monitor and imported quiz or LockDown Browser settings from a previous Canvas shell, you must reconnect LockDown Browser to the new Canvas course.
To reconnect it, select LockDown Brower from your course navigation.
TurnItIn Similarity Report
Turnitin has introduced a redesigned Similarity Report. The new interface organizes matches into clearer categories and provides more actionable information.
The New Similarity Report Resource Center includes documentation, self-guided tours, and interactive demos of the new interface.
Do I Need to Do Anything?
Most of these updates do not require immediate action. However, instructors should:
- Reconnect LockDown Browser if settings were imported from a previous Canvas course.
- Manually release Microsoft Education recordings that students should be able to view.
- Use UDOIT Cloud and the Canvas Accessibility Checker when reviewing Fall 2026 course content.
- Review the other Canvas updates as they apply to your courses.
Need Help?
Find answers online or contact 6-TECH:
- Search for tech solutions: 6tech.uncg.edu
- Phone: (336) 256-TECH (8324)
- Email: 6-TECH@uncg.edu
- Submit a ticket: 6-TECH Online Portal
