News and Announcements

New Canvas Features: Discussion Summary and Smart Search

Posted: 2024-08-08 07:39:33   Expiration: 2024-08-23 07:39:33

Disclaimer: This news item was originally posted on 2024-08-08 07:39:33. Its content may no longer be timely or accurate.

Two new feature options have been set to disabled and unlocked for the Universities of Wisconsin (excluding UW-Madison) installation of Canvas on August 7, 2024. These features are the Discussion Summary and Smart Search.

Discussion Summary

When the Discussion Summary feature option is enabled, discussion threads have a “Summarize” button that will use generative AI to generate a summary of key points and questions in the thread. Once generated, summaries may be refined by passing a description of desired outputs (e.g. “concerns about grading policy”) or be regenerated. These summaries are only available to instructors and administrators.

The Discussion Summary feature is set to disabled and unlocked.

More Information: Discussion Summary

Smart Search

Leveraging semantic algorithms and AI, Smart Search allows users to search Canvas course content by understanding the context of queries and finding relevant results based on that context. Smart Search facilitates faster content discovery for both teachers and students.

The Smart Search feature is set to disabled and unlocked.

More Information: Smart Search

-- UWSA DLE: Jason Zapf