Using SpeedGrader Comment Library

Last updated on October 19, 2021

Tools: SpeedGrader Library

Occasionally, you might find yourself repeating the same feedback again and again when reviewing multiple students’ submissions for an assignment. Canvas has recently launched a Comment Library in SpeedGrader to help with this problem. You can now add frequently used comments into the SpeedGrader Library and then insert them into the grading comments box for multiple students or assignments. Using this tool lets you cut out some redundancy and save time while grading. This might be particularly helpful with large classes or with topics that have common misconceptions.

There are, however, some limitations to the SpeedGrader Comment Library. You can add an unlimited number of comments to any given submission from the comment library, however the library comments will replace any text you’ve already written into the comment box. You will want to submit any previously written comments before inserting the library comment. Also, SpeedGrader Comment Library does not currently work with rubric grading.

Best practices

• You can edit your comments by clicking Manage Comment Library from within SpeedGrader, then selecting the edit (pencil) icon next to the comment you wish to edit.
• Select “Show Suggestions When Typing” from Manage Comment Library if you want the SpeedGrader Comment Library to predict which comments you might want to use.

Let’s walk through it together

1. Go to MSU Denver’s Faculty and Staff Hub.
2. Click Canvas in the Teaching & Learning section.
3. Log in to your Canvas Account.
4. Select the Course you’d like to work in.

Add Comments to SpeedGrader Library

1. Click on Grades from the Course Navigation Menu on the left.
2. Hover your cursor over the Name of the item you want to grade.
3. Click the More Options Menu (three vertical dots) that appears next to the name.
4. Select SpeedGrader.
5. Click on the Manage Comment Library button (resembles a text bubble) above the comment box.
6. Add the Comment you wish to submit to the comment library into the textbox that says “Add Comment to Library.”
7. Click Add to Library.
8. Click Submit.

Retrieve Comments from SpeedGrader Library 

1. Click on Grades from the Course Navigation Menu on the left.
2. Hover your cursor over the Name of the item you want to grade.
3. Click the More Options Menu (three vertical dots) that appears next to the name.
4. Select SpeedGrader.
5. Click on the Manage Comment Library button (resembles a text bubble) above the comment window.
6. Click on the Comment you want to add to the submission. 
7. Click Submit. 

Enable Suggestions

1. Click on Grades from the Course Navigation Menu on the left.
2. Hover your cursor over the Name of the item you want to grade.
3. Click the More Options Menu (three vertical dots) that appears next to the name.
4. Select SpeedGrader.
5. Click on the Manage Comment Library button (resembles a text bubble) above the comment window.
6. Select the Toggle next to “Show suggestions when typing.”
7. Click the Back Arrow at the top left to return to SpeedGrader.