Smart Search Beta Overview

[emilyk23]

First, welcome! And thank you for your enthusiasm and interest in joining the experimental beta for Smart Search. We look forward to expanding the beta to more institutions across the world as Smart Search continues development. 

What is Smart Search? 

A general content search function is something that many customers have long requested, so we are excited to expand the beta stage of this Smart Search project. Leveraging semantic algorithms and AI, the Smart Search understands the context of queries, providing more accurate and relevant results without the need for traditional boolean operators or other search tools. This approach is an improvement over traditional keyword-based searches, and will enable users to swiftly and efficiently navigate the vast array of educational content within a Canvas course. 

Beta Scope 

In its current beta release, the Smart Search feature has a narrow scope designed to test the idea, technology, and architecture, as well as allow us to iterate rapidly based on your experience and feedback. 

• Search is a feature option in Canvas.
• Search is available within a Canvas course.
  • Once enabled, users will find Search in the course navigation.
• Search is currently scoped to query Content Pages, Announcements, Discussion Prompts, and Assignment Details within a course.
  • Please note that replies to discussions/announcements, assignment submissions, and content within Canvas Files is not queried at this time. 
  • The scope of the queries will likely expand during the beta period.
• We will be actively improving the UI over the course of this beta and prior to General Availability. 
• Currently, Smart Search Beta is available for Canvas customers in nearly all regions, with the exception of our Canadian Region. 

Beta Expectations

As a beta participant, the Smart Search feature option will be made available (unlocked) at your institution's Canvas instance.  We ask that our beta institutions:

1. Enable Smart Search in select course(s) or sub-account(s)

Once available, we encourage beta testers to enable it in select course(s) or a select sub-account. Enablement directions can be found here:  How to Enable Smart Search.

2. Use Smart Search

Communicate and promote the usage of this feature with the instructors and students in the course(s) or sub-account(s). Please use the feature yourself as well, trying various methods of searching and taking note of the experience and results. 

3. Share your feedback

We welcome all feedback regarding the success of the results. There is a thumbs up/down option next to results when you complete a search query. That will indicate good/bad search experiences. Participants can also share feedback by posting discussions in this user group.  

Smart Search FAQ

You'll probably have some questions throughout this beta process. We try to address the most common questions on this Smart Search Beta FAQ. If others arise that are not covered on the FAQ,  please add them by commenting at the bottom of the FAQ space.  Our team will either reply directly or add a new entry to respond to your question. 

Interacting with this Smart Search Group

This Smart Search Beta community space will be the best place to learn about new developments, share your feedback, and connect with the team building the feature.

A quick overview of how we intend to use this dedicated space:

• Blog Posts - The product team will share Blog Posts regularly to inform our beta participants about upcoming features and improvements to Smart Search. 
• Discussions - Beta participants are encouraged to use the Discussions area to ask questions/share experiences with the Instructure team as well as other beta participants.  The product team may also use the discussions area to pose questions for specific feedback on features/designs/etc. 
• Resource Documents - This area will house the FAQ, Enablement Directions, Change Log and any other knowledge-base type materials related to Smart Search.

We look forward to connecting with you in this group and hearing about your experiences with the Smart Search beta feature! Happy Searching!