A number of performance and usability upgrades are coming to Canvas SpeedGrader. These enhancements are designed to create a more consistent and streamlined grading experience while maintaining the SpeedGrader workflows that staff are already familiar with.
The enhancements will be enabled on 18th July 2026. No action is required from staff.
What's Changing?
Enhancements include:
- Updated section filtering to help locate student submissions more quickly
- Clearer indication when students have not submitted work (see image 1)
- A simplified menu for applying submission statuses such as ‘Late’, ‘Missing’ and ‘Excused’ (image 2)
- Rubrics automatically display in a consistent grid layout across Canvas (image 3)
- Enhanced feedback options, including support for course links, embedded images and equations (image 4)
- Improved filtering within the Comment Library
- Improved handling of video submissions, including the ability to download videos directly from SpeedGrader
What does this mean for staff?
The updates are available to users with Teacher, Teaching Assistant and External Examiner roles. They focus on improving performance, consistency and ease of use rather than introducing new grading processes. Existing grading workflows will continue to function as normal.
Staff can continue to:
- View and assess student submissions
- Use rubrics for marking
- Leave written, audio or video feedback
- Navigate easily between student submissions
Some improvements, such as richer feedback options, will also benefit students. However, students will not notice any significant changes to the submission process.
Further Support
Further information about the SpeedGrader enhancements is available on the Instructure website.
Don’t forget that you can contact the Canvas Tier 1 Support Team 24/7/365 via the Help menu in Canvas or by emailing support@instructure.com.
