Canvas Core Features Every Instructor Should Use
We understand that not every instructor needs to the Canvas LMS for all their needs. Instructors may use a variety of third-party tools to support teaching and learning outside of Canvas. But no matter what platform or workflow you prefer, it’s important to provide students with a consistent experience in Canvas.
To help with that, we recommend all instructors use a few key features in Canvas. These features promote communication, transparency, and student success. Even if most of your course content lives outside of Canvas, these tools ensure that students always know where to go for updates, grades, and important information.
Introducing Canvas Discussion Checkpoints: A Way to Create Multiple Due Dates
Canvas Discussion Checkpoints are now available at FSCJ, giving faculty new ways to structure graded discussions with separate due dates and point values for initial posts and replies. This feature helps students manage participation expectations while giving instructors greater flexibility in grading and feedback. Learn how to set up checkpoints and make the most of this tool in your courses.
Turnitin is Upgrading to v1.3!
Turnitin is getting an upgrade in Canvas on August 22. We’re moving from version 1.1 to 1.3 of the external tool, bringing better security, smoother performance, and new features like section filtering and SpeedGrader access. If you're using Turnitin through the External Tool option, this change affects your courses. We’ll walk you through what’s changing, how it impacts rubrics, and how to make the switch as easy as possible.
Using "Students in Need of Attention" at the Course Level in Canvas
Identify At-Risk Students Early with Canvas’s New “Students in Need of Attention” Dashboard
Discover how this powerful tool in New Analytics helps faculty spot disengagement, low performance, and missed assignments before they become barriers to success. Learn how to customize alerts, explore student trends, and take meaningful action—right from your Canvas course.
Big Blue Button 3.0 - What’s New in 2025?
BigBlueButton has rolled out new features aimed at improving the virtual classroom experience, including enhanced breakout room controls, updated polling tools, and a simplified interface for moderators.
Improving Assignment Setup Ease and Academic Integrity with the Turnitin Plagiarism Framework
One key advantage of the Plagiarism Framework is the required checkbox students must click before submitting their assignment, confirming that the work is their own, original content. This small but intentional step can serve as a deterrent to academic dishonesty by prompting students to reflect on the integrity of their submission.
Improvements to the Canvas Course Import Process
Recent updates to Canvas have improved how course content is imported and managed. Instructors will now notice that importing previously used materials no longer creates duplicates—content is overwritten instead, helping keep course shells more organized. The Import Content interface has also been refreshed for clarity, with enhanced timezone displays and flexible options for shifting or removing due dates. These changes aim to simplify course setup and support a smoother teaching experience across terms.
DMP: In - and Out - of the Studio
The Digital Media Productions team has been busy this month, working with students, staff, and faculty members to create new educational content.
Introducing Khanmigo in Canvas: Your AI-Powered Teaching Assistant
Khanmigo by Khan Academy now in Canvas: Trusted AI to streamline prep and give you more energy for teaching, now free and available in Canvas for U.S. educators.
Faculty Center Upgrade Coming April 14
Starting April 14, FSCJ will roll out an enhanced Faculty Center in myFSCJ, offering a redesigned interface and improved functionality to simplify class management. The upgrade includes a mobile-friendly design, easier access to student information, and features for tracking attendance, modifying terms, and managing class rosters—all from a more intuitive interface.