On 2020-03-16 18:31, Irv Kalb wrote:
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.
For appearances you could indent with non-breaking spaces, '\xA0'. Just
be aware that it could be confusing if the user tries to copy and paste
it, because although they'll look like spaces, they won't be!
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