Welcome to Fall 2026! The Digital Learning and Design (DLD) team has gathered essential Canvas updates, new tool integrations, and support resources to help you get your courses ready for the semester. Note that minimal updates were made to Canvas this term to ensure a stable start and give Brown Canvas users the opportunity to catch up on enhancements from previous semesters.
If you have questions, would like to inquire about a Canvas feature, or want to provide general feedback about Canvas, please fill out our Canvas Feedback Form, which is also linked on our Canvas Community@Brown site.
Canvas Updates
Elevating your Undergraduate TAs permissions in Canvas
By default, Undergraduate TAs (UTAs) have "edit only" permissions in Canvas, allowing them to manage course files, assignments, and discussions. If your UTAs require SpeedGrader access, granting elevated permissions is now simpler: instructors can manage these roles directly in Canvas using the Brown Users LTI tool, eliminating the need for a DLD request form. Additionally, permissions can now be assigned on an individual basis rather than by role.
For complete details, review the step-by-step guide: How Can I Provide My UTA with Elevated Speedgrader Permissions?
WooClap Moves Beyond Pilot to Official Support
We are thrilled to announce that WooClap is now an officially supported tool at Brown following a highly successful pilot program. Designed to foster real-time interaction and active learning in in-person, hybrid, and online environments.
- Key Features: Interactive polling, word clouds, open-ended questions, and instant comprehension checks.
- Resources: Check out the What is WooClap? guide and How do I Use WooClap? tutorial to get started.
Be on the lookout: Wooclap is stepping outside of Canvas!
Soon, you will be able to log in directly to Wooclap using your Brown credentials. With seamless integrations for PowerPoint and Google Slides, you can poll your students or event audiences directly within your slides or launch standalone polls anytime without logging into Canvas. Watch for an upcoming Today@Brown announcement with more details.
Previously Announced Updates from Recent Semesters
In case you missed it the first time, below are some key features we previously announced that may impact or enhance your Canvas site. If you would like to catch up on other updates you may have missed, please review our previous articles linked on our DLD Learning Technology Updates and Release Notes page.
Updated Canvas Features
Canvas Rubrics received a major upgrade in interface and functionality. Fully enabled across all Brown Canvas courses, the Enhanced Rubrics feature a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, streamlined grading, and clearer student feedback. The update was automatic, with no manual migration required, and applied to all courses. For guidance, see our help article,"What are Enhanced Rubrics?"
Enhanced Rubrics are enabled by default in Canvas at Brown as of the Summer 2026 term. Instructors can revert to the Classic Rubrics interface until December 19 by accessing their course feature options and disabling Enhanced Rubrics. After December 19th, Instructure, the Canvas vendor, will remove the option, and all rubrics will automatically display using the enhanced interface.
Recent Canvas Integrated Tool Updates
As of Summer 2026, VitalSource officially replaced RedShelf as our primary ebook platform in Canvas. If your course uses digital textbooks or inclusive access materials, students will now access their readings via the VitalSource link you enable in Canvas by following these steps. For questions about the transition, contact [email protected]. If the tool isn't loading in your course, email [email protected].
In Fall 2025, DLD made Pope Tech available in Canvas to help faculty improve course accessibility. Use the resources below to get started. If you have questions regarding this tool or course accessibility in general, please email [email protected].
Resources
SensusAccess, a self-service file conversion tool, was integrated into Canvas during Summer 2026. It enables students and instructors to automatically convert course documents into accessible formats like searchable PDFs, MP3s, digital Braille, and structured e-books.
To access this feature, instructors will need to opt in at the course level each time they run the course in Canvas. This is not a site-wide setting and is not enabled by default.
Learn more in our Canvas@Brown article, "What is SensusAccess?".
DLD Learning Technologies Canvas Support Resources
Whether you are exploring the new features listed above or finalizing your Canvas site, our team is here to support your teaching goals. Please review our following offerings.
DLD Learning Technologies Consultations including Fall Canvas Office Hours
DLD Learning Technologies Consultations are available for 1 on 1 support through Zoom. During shopping period we offer our Canvas Office Hours quick sessions. Please use this scheduling link to book a time that meets your needs. If you have more complicated questions about Canvas or need assistance with a DLD supported tool, we still have our 30-minute full consultations which you can sign up for on our DLD consultation page.
Canvas@Brown
Canvas@Brown documentation site provides students, faculty, and staff with quick access to guides, step-by-step tutorials, and answers to frequently asked questions. With an intuitive search function and regularly updated content, finding information is fast and easy. Explore available resources anytime at help.canvas.brown.edu.
Canvas Community@Brown
Canvas Community@Brown is where to go when looking for news and announcements rather than how-to guides. The site serves as our main hub for current announcements, feature tips, Canvas-related workshop news, and semester release notes archives. Rather have Canvas news directly sent to you, please join the Canvas Community listserv to receive a monthly digest.