SpeedGrader
The resources in this "Survival Guide" have been developed and compiled for instructors who are new to Canvas and also for those who have some Canvas experience but would like additional reinforcement and helpful tips. Each page of the Survival Guide has two sections ("Getting Started" and "Going Deeper"), which are organized on separate tabs. The "Getting Started" content begins with a brief introduction to the page's content followed by a short tutorial video and, in some cases, annotated screen captures explaining how to access and use that tool or feature. The "Going Deeper" content includes resources for instructors who are comfortable using Canvas but might be looking for some examples of instructional techniques or ways to address specific challenges, or maybe even just a little inspiration.
Canvas SpeedGrader is a user-friendly tool designed to simplify the grading workflow. It provides a convenient interface for accessing and evaluating different submission types. Through SpeedGrader instructors can easily assign grades and provide feedback, promoting personalized communication between instructors and students. It also enables quick access to rubrics for consistent assessment.
This page explains:
- An overview of SpeedGrader
- Different ways to access SpeedGrader
- Features and options provided by SpeedGrader
Let's get started!
Video Tutorial: SpeedGrader Overview
Leveraging SpeedGrader Features
What is SpeedGrader?
SpeedGrader displays one student's submission at a time. The display is divided into two main panels. Individual student's submissions are shown on the left-side panel, whereas the right-side panel provides a space to input a grade, provide comments, and view submission details.
How can I access SpeedGrader?
There are four ways to access SpeedGrader:
1. Within the assignment, graded quiz, or graded discussion of interest, click SpeedGrader at the top right corner of the window.
2. Within the Gradebook, click the vertical ellipses to the right of the assignment, graded quiz, or graded discussion title and then select SpeedGrader.
3. From the To Do list on your home page, select the assignment, graded quiz, or graded discussion of interest.
4. From the Modules page, click the vertical ellipses to the right of the name of the assignment, graded quiz, or graded discussion. Then, select SpeedGrader.
How can I sort submissions in SpeedGrader?
By default, SpeedGrader orders submissions alphabetically by students' last names. Click the arrows to the right and left of the student's name to move from one student's submission to another or click the small triangle to the right of the student's name for a drop-down menu showing all students in the course.
To change the order in which submissions are displayed, click the gear icon at the top left corner of the window to access Settings (1). Next, select Options (2). A dialog box will then appear (3), allowing you to sort the submissions based on student name, submission date, or submission status. You can also choose to hide students' names while you grade and/or grade by question (i.e., grade a specific question for all students and then move on to another question) rather than grading each student's entire assignment before moving on to the next student's assignment.
How can I find out details about submission timing and number of attempts?
Sometimes it's helpful to know when a student submitted an assessment and the number of times they've attempted it (for assignments that allow more than one attempt). SpeedGrader provides quick and easy access to that information at the top of the right-side panel. If a student has submitted an assessment more than once, a drop-down menu will appear allowing you to view the date, time, and status (i.e., late, missing, excused) of each submission. You can also select which submission you'd like to view.
You can change the submission status for a given submission by clicking the pencil icon and selecting a new submission status. For example, if you've set a late policy Links to an external site. that automatically deducts points from assessments submitted after the due date, but individual students have been granted exceptions, you can change the submission status for those students from Late or Missing to None or Excused so that a student's grade will not be negatively impacted.
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