New Feature Update: Canvas Panda Bot & Enhanced Rubric AI Generation

Canvas has introduced two feature updates designed to streamline support and reduce the administrative time required to build course Rubrics! Panda Bot and Enhanced Rubric AI Generation.

Canvas Panda Bot

Panda Bot is an AI-powered conversational support tool trained directly on official Instructure product guides and community documentation.

• Instant Answers: Provides real-time explanations, workflows, and step-by-step instructions for Canvas features without waiting for manual support ticketing.

• Context-Aware Assistance: Quickly surfaces relevant documentation and walkthroughs for course setup, tool configuration, and Gradebook management.

• Support Routing: Handles initial troubleshooting and guides users toward appropriate administrative or technical support channels when issues require manual intervention.

Enhanced Rubric AI Generation

Integrated into the Enhanced Rubrics framework, this generative tool helps instructors draft detailed, criteria-aligned rubrics directly from assignment descriptions.

• Automated Drafting: Automatically generates evaluation criteria, performance ratings, and descriptive score levels tailored to open-ended assignments, essays, projects, and presentations.

• Full Instructor Control: Generated rubrics serve as editable drafts; instructors retain complete oversight to modify criteria, adjust point values, or refine rating descriptions prior to publishing.

• Workflow Efficiency: Drastically shortens the rubric creation cycle, ensuring consistent grading standards while preserving pedagogical flexibility.

Have Questions?

If you need assistance exploring these tools or have questions about integrating them into your courses, reach out to your EdTech team or submit a support ticket for personalized guidance.