This is for anyone who teaches Python and uses the Canvas Learning Management 
System (maybe a small group).

I teach Python at two colleges in Silicon Valley in California.  At both 
schools we use Canvas.  Overall, it works very well.  I use it to post notes, 
sample programs, build tests, post homework, and correct homework assignment.  

However, there is a problem (bug!) when I give feedback on student's homework 
assignments.  I often give feedback by writing small snippets of code to 
explain what a student has done wrong, or how something could be done better.  
The problem is that in the feedback section for homework assignments, Canvas 
eliminates any leading space characters.  So, I might write:

if x == y:
    # do thing 1
else:
    # do thing 2

but when it gets posted and viewed by the student, it shows up as:

if x == y:
# do thing 1
else:
# do thing 2

Which obviously is very annoying to me, and not as helpful to the student.  

Knowing that this happens, I have started to write feedback using periods for 
indenting:

if x == y:
....# do thing 1
else:
....# do thing 2

I have posted about this problem on the Canvas board, pointing out the 
importance of leading spaces, but I've had no response.  I also even wrote the 
company through snail mail, and got no response.

Question 1:  Does anyone have any suggestions for indenting besides using 
periods?

Question 2:  Does anyone know any other way to reach the appropriate person(s) 
at Canvas to address this issue.

Thanks,

Irv
-- 
https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

Reply via email to