[Modules] Options to Only Publish/Unpublish the Module

[llomax]

This idea has been developed and deployed to Canvas LMS

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Problem statement:

Teachers would like to have a 4th option for publishing/unpublishing modules and all items. Currently, there are 3 options, but NOT the option to Unpublish Module Only. Sometimes teachers want to unpublish the module but not all the items in the module. For Example: If there are assignments in the module that have submission settings set to "No Submission" or "On Paper", even if they have points associated with them in the gradebook, it unpublishes those assignments and then removes them from the gradebook view and from calculating into the student grades. This is causing the total score in the gradebook to be inaccurate. Multiple teachers have missed this and have had incorrect grades.

Proposed solution:

1st Solution: Add a 4th option to the Module settings, to Unpublish the Module only. 2nd Solution: When selecting Unpublish Module and all items: Change the setting so that it does not Unpublish "No Submission" or "On Paper" assignments that have points calculating into the gradebook.

User role(s):

admin

[JennyFox]

Problem statement:

With the new update to Canvas LMS, there are 3 options to publish/unpublish. The only unpublish option now says, "Unpublish Module and All Items." At the end of the term, teachers unpublish modules so students can't access them anymore. With the new update, when you choose "Unpublish Module and All Items," it now unpublishes assignments that have a submission type as "No Submission" or "On Paper." This causes a HUGE problem with grades because assignments with scores that have been hand-entered by the teachers for "No Submission" or "On Paper" are now being removed from grades. Most teachers wouldn't even notice they are gone. I noticed because Canvas syncs with a gradebook that our district uses and the scores didn't match. I had to go through each item and I realized I was missing Canvas scores. The previous way to unpublish modules would leave the module unpublished but everything underneath still published so grades were accurate. It is not fair to students to have their grades drastically changed because scores were removed when a teacher unpublished a module. This is a BIG issue. Grades need to be accurate. Please prioritize this fix. Thank you for your consideration!

Proposed solution:

I propose three possible solutions to make it so grades are accurate for students. 1. Return to the previous unpublish way before the update. 2. Add a fourth button that is "Unpublish Module Only" which would work the previous way. 3. Code the current "Unpublish module and all Items" button to leave any assignments with a submission published AND leave any assignment with a score attached published to make sure assignments with submission types of "No Submission" or "On Paper" stay published so they count on a student's grade.

User role(s):

instructor

[AllisonHowell]

@llomax I have chosen not to put this into a theme because we are currently working on this! We'll update the status of this idea once it's released. Thank you!

[KristinL]

  Comments from Instructure

This feature is available in Beta. For more information, please read through the Canvas Deploy Notes (2024-01-31) 

How do I access the Canvas beta environment as an instructor?

[KristinL]

Comments from Instructure

For more information, please read through the Canvas Deploy Notes (2024-01-31)