Here's what's new for Winter - 2025
Additional updates will be added throughout the quarter. Newest updates at the top.
- Copy Content - Copy Course Page Enhancements
- Discussions - Default View Settings
- Import Content- Import Content Page Enhancements
- Announcements - Added Option
- Discussions - Peer Review Text Update
- Groups - Course Name Added to Group Tray
- Rubrics - Leaving Editor Warning
Copy Content - Copy Course Page Enhancements
The Copy Course page has been updated to the latest version of InstUI, Instructure's internal design language. When a term is selected, the dates default to the term's dates. Instructors must contact their admin to update the term dates. If an instructor's time zone differs from the course timezone, both the local and course timezones are displayed. This update enhances user experience by providing a modern, consistent interface through the latest version of InstUI. Displaying local and course timezones improves scheduling accuracy for users working across different timezones.
When a term is selected [1], the dates default to the term's dates. Instructors must contact their admin to update the term dates [2].
When the Adjust events and due dates option is selected, both the local and course dates and times are displayed.
Discussions - Default View Settings
When creating or editing a discussion, instructors can configure the default view settings, including thread collapse/expansion and sorting options for students, with the ability to lock these preferences if needed. This feature allows instructors to structure discussions in a way that aligns with their teaching approach, guiding student engagement and interaction.
Instructors can configure the default discussion view by setting the default thread state [1] and optionally locking it for students [2]. They can also define the default sort order [3] and choose to lock it [4] if needed.
Import Content - Import content Page Enhancements
The Import Content page is updated to the latest version of InstUI, Instructure's internal design language. The import button text is updated to Add Import to Queue and when an instructor's timezone differs from the course timezone, both the local and course timezones are displayed. This update enhances the user experience by updating the Import Content page to the latest InstUI version, providing a modern and consistent design. It also clarifies the import process with updated button text, improving workflow efficiency.
On the Import Content page, the user interface and the import button text are updated to Add Import to Queue.
When the Adjust events and due dates option is selected, the local and course dates and times are displayed.
Announcements - Added Option
On the Announcement Edit page, the Participants must respond to the topic before viewing other replies checkbox is added. This feature encourages independent thinking and engagement. By requiring participants to respond before seeing others' replies, it promotes original contributions and prevents bias from reading peers' responses first.
The Participants must respond to the topic before viewing other replies checkbox is available when instructors choose to allow participants to comment.
Note: To view and be able to select the Added Option when drafting an announcement, the user must deselect ‘Disable comments on announcements.’ To disable, navigate to Settings> Course Settings> (scroll down) deselect option> click Update Course Details.
Discussions - Peer Review Text Update
When assigning automatic peer reviews in a Discussion, the date label is changed to Assign Reviews, replacing the previous label, Reviews Due. This update ensures consistent language between peer-reviewed assignments and peer-reviewed discussions.
When automatically assigning peer reviews, the date label is changed to Assign Reviews.
Groups - Course Name Added to Group Tray
In the Group Tray, groups display the associated course name. This feature helps users quickly identify each group’s course, reducing confusion and improving navigation.
In the Group Tray, students can view a group's course information.
Rubrics - Leaving Editor Warning
When exiting the Rubric Edit page, instructors see a warning indicating that unsaved work will be lost. This update helps prevent instructors from accidentally losing their work by alerting them to save changes before leaving the Rubric Editor page. This ensures that time and effort spent on editing rubrics aren't unintentionally lost.
A Warning modal displays when exiting the Rubric Edit page.