Speedgrader Enhancements

The updated SpeedGrader offers faster performance, improved stability, and a cleaner layout that simplifies grading and feedback. Instructors benefit from smoother navigation, automatic rubric display, and clearer submission tools, while students receive quicker, more transparent feedback. Those who disable the update will keep the older layout but may experience slower performance and less consistency for learners.

Enhancing Efficiency and Usability

What is it?

The latest upgrades deliver faster performance, improved stability, and a cleaner interface designed to make grading more efficient and intuitive.

• Faster Load Times: Optimized performance ensures assignments open more quickly, even in large courses.
• Enhanced Stability: Improved back end performance reduces freezing or lag during grading sessions.
• Streamlined Section Filter: A redesigned drop-down menu allows filtering and applying multiple sections at once.
• Clearer “No Submission” Alerts: A more visible notice helps instructors immediately identify missing student work.
• Updated Submission Status Menu: A simplified drop-down now lets instructors mark work as missing, late, or excused.
• Automatic Rubric Display: Rubrics open in the traditional view by default, making it faster to apply criteria-based feedback.
• Improved Empty Course View: A cleaner layout clarifies when there’s no content or submissions yet.
• Refined Media & Comments Area: Media attachments and submission comments are better organized with clearer icons.

Why is it important?

The redesigned SpeedGrader interface delivers a faster, more intuitive grading experience that benefits both instructors and students. Optimized performance and improved stability make grading smoother and more reliable, while streamlined tools - such as the enhanced section filter, clearer submission indicators, and automatic rubric display - reduce clicks and simplify workflow. These refinements let instructors focus more on meaningful feedback rather than navigation or technical delays. For students, the result is quicker turnaround on grades, clearer insight into their progress, and more consistent, accessible communication from instructors - all contributing to a more efficient and transparent learning process.

Instructors who disable the updated feature will retain the older layout, but it may feel slower and less efficient. This choice can also create inconsistency for students using it in other courses, leading to slower feedback and less clarity in submission status and comments.

Go to Settings > Features Options > and deselect Performance and Usability Upgrades for SpeedGrader. Select Update Course Details.

How do I do it?

If not already enabled, go to Settings > Features Options > and select Performance and Usability Upgrades for SpeedGrader. Select Update Course Details.

Layout Adjustments

Note: The most noticeable adjustment is that "Submitted Files" falls under the "Details" tab. See side by side comparison below. Click the "Details" tab to download any files for review.

The adjusted layout also provides additional Rubric options for both the student and instructor view to choose from instead of the limited single view of the previous layout. See more details below the screenshots.