How Do I Save Time Grading?

One of Canvas’ differentiators is their powerhouse of a tool: SpeedGrader. As they share in the Canvas Guides:

As an instructor, SpeedGrader allows you to view and grade student assignment submissions in one place using a simple point scale or complex rubric. Canvas accepts a variety of document formats and even URLs as assignment submissions. Some document assignments can be marked up for feedback directly within the submission. You can also provide feedback to your students with text or media comments.”

In this post, we answer the question of how to save time when using SpeedGrader to provide feedback to students.

Leverage SpeedGrader Buttons

The three buttons in the upper left-hand corner of SpeedGrader provide a few ways to really speed up your time in grading.

Return to the Gradebook

The first button that looks like a gradebook with a checkmark on it takes you back to the gradebook.

Once you are in the gradebook, there is the option to mute/unmute assignments straight from there, as well, without having to return to SpeedGrader to do it.

Visibility: Post or Hide the Assignment

You can also hide or post assignment grades from SpeedGrader. The Visibility icon indicates if assignment grades are hidden or posted.

If assignment grades are posted for the assignment, the icon displays as the Posted Visibility icon [1]. If assignment grades are hidden, the icon displays as the Hidden Visibility icon [2].

To hide assignment grades, click the Posted Visibility icon [1] and select the Hide Grades option [2].

You can also hide assignment grades directly from the Gradebook. Click on the three dots to the right of the assignment title [1] while in your Gradebook and select Grade Posting Policy [2] from the options:

Then select Manually and Save:

SpeedGrader Settings

To view SpeedGrader settings, click the Settings icon. SpeedGrader settings include:

Options, which allows you to select student list sorting options and enable anonymous grading.
Keyboard Shortcuts, which opens a list of keyboard shortcuts for SpeedGrader. You can also press the Shift+Question Mark keys simultaneously. Not having to reach for a mouse to access a rubric, enter points, compose a written comment, or move to the next/previous student really does make grading faster.It does take some repetition to get accustomed to keyboard shortcuts. However, considering the time it cuts off grading time, it is worth it to grab a screenshot of them to print out, or even to jot them on a sticky note.
List of SpeedGrader shortcuts
Help, which opens the Instructor SpeedGrader guides.