Students view peer review feedback in Canvas from the assignment’s Submission Details page, using View Feedback, rubric results, and the Comments pane.
Peer review in Canvas lets classmates leave targeted notes, rubric scores, and inline markups on a submission. If you’re wondering where to find that feedback, the path is consistent: open the same assignment you submitted, then open the Submission Details view. From there you can read comments, open annotated markups in DocViewer, and check rubric results. This guide walks through each path in clear steps, with tips for common variations like anonymous reviews, group work, media submissions, and mobile use.
Where Feedback Lives In Canvas
Canvas stores feedback in three places tied to each assignment:
- Submission Details shows the file preview, the View Feedback button, and the full comment stream.
- Rubric shows criterion scores and any notes tied to those rows.
- Grades & Recent Feedback surface alerts and quick links back to the assignment.
Open the assignment from Assignments or Grades. If a peer left annotated notes, you’ll see a View Feedback button above the preview. Click it to open Canvas DocViewer and scroll through pins, highlights, and text boxes. General comments appear in the right panel. If your instructor required a rubric, select Show Rubric to read criterion-level notes and points. Canvas’ student guide on where peer feedback appears mirrors these paths.
Fast Paths To Peer Comments
| Location | What You’ll See | How To Open |
|---|---|---|
| Submission Details | Comments, file preview, “View Feedback” | Open assignment > click submission |
| DocViewer | Inline annotations on the file | Click “View Feedback” |
| Rubric | Criterion scores and notes | Click “Show Rubric” |
| Grades | Unread feedback alerts | Course > Grades > assignment link |
| Recent Feedback | Newest comment links | Course sidebar > click item |
Student Steps: Reading Peer Review Feedback
Step 1: Open The Assignment
Go to the course, choose Assignments or Grades, then select the assignment. If reviews were assigned, a right-side panel lists names or “Anonymous User.” This panel confirms that a classmate has been assigned to your work, and it’s also where you access any peer work you’re asked to review.
Step 2: Enter Submission Details
Click your submission. The page shows the file preview, the comment stream, and buttons for View Feedback and Show Rubric. If a peer attached a file or media comment, you’ll see it in this area. Use the time stamp on each comment to track the order of suggestions.
Step 3: Open DocViewer For Markups
Select View Feedback. A preview opens with inline pins, highlights, and text boxes. Use page thumbnails to jump, the left-side controls to zoom, and the comment sidebar to move through notes. This tool works with common file types (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, and images). Canvas’ page on using DocViewer shows the same buttons and layout you’ll see on screen.
Step 4: Read Rubric Notes
Choose Show Rubric. You’ll see each criterion, the selected rating, points, and any notes. If more than one peer used the rubric, entries can stack. Scan the rows that dipped below full points first, then match each row to the section of your file that needs work.
Step 5: Scan General Comments
In the right panel, read text comments, media comments, and any attachments. Replies stack in a thread, so you can track conversation around a suggestion. Short replies keep threads tidy and help your reviewer see that you acted on the note.
Close Variation: Seeing Canvas Peer Review Feedback With Clarity
Different courses configure reviews in different ways. Some use named reviews, others hide names. Some rely on a rubric only; others allow both a rubric and free-form comments. The viewing path stays the same, but the sections below help match what you see on screen.
Named Vs. Anonymous Reviews
When names are visible, you’ll see each reviewer’s name listed. When the course uses anonymous reviews, the list shows “Anonymous User.” Annotations inside DocViewer also hide the author. You can still read every note; only the name is masked.
One Review Or Many
Courses may assign more than one reviewer. In that case, the right panel shows separate comment threads. Rubric results may show multiple rows. Read them all, since each peer may flag different lines. If comments seem to repeat, look for points of agreement; those are likely areas to revise first.
No Inline Notes? Check The Rubric
If you don’t see the View Feedback button, the reviewer may have left only general comments or rubric notes. Open Show Rubric and scan the right panel for attachments or media comments. Some courses rely on a rubric only, with no pins on the file preview.
Extra Paths That Also Work
From Grades
In the course, open Grades. Find the assignment name and click it. This jumps to Submission Details with the same buttons and comment stream. A blue dot on the feedback icon signals unread notes in many course themes.
From Recent Feedback
The course sidebar shows a Recent Feedback list. Click the item, and Canvas takes you to the right spot in the assignment where that comment lives. This panel is a quick way to find new notes without hunting through modules.
What Students Can And Can’t See
You can view your reviewers’ comments, files, rubric rows, and any pins placed on the document. You cannot see comments left by other reviewers while you are writing your own review, and you won’t see the identity of a reviewer if the course uses anonymous reviews. When a course has anonymity set for peer work, some schools disable annotated pins by students to preserve privacy; in that setup, text comments and rubrics carry the feedback.
Timing And Availability
Peer feedback is visible as soon as a classmate submits it. It doesn’t wait for grades to post. If you don’t see anything yet, your peer may not have completed the task, or the assignment may hide feedback until a set date. When an instructor enables multiple attempts, feedback ties to the selected attempt; switch attempts if you’re not seeing the notes you expect.
Why Feedback Might Be Missing
Not seeing comments where you expect them? Work through these checks.
You Opened The Wrong Attempt
If the assignment allows multiple uploads, be sure the correct attempt is selected in Submission Details. Use the dropdown above the preview to switch versions. The comment stream and pins change with that selection.
File Type Doesn’t Preview
DocViewer handles common formats. If a peer reviewed a file type that doesn’t preview, Canvas may show only the comment thread. Download the file to read embedded notes. If the reviewer sent a separate file with edits, that attachment appears in the right panel.
Anonymous Reviews And Inline Pins
Some campuses restrict student markup tools when reviews are anonymous, since DocViewer pins attach to an identity. In those courses, feedback arrives as typed comments, files, media, or rubric rows. You’ll still see the substance of the note on Submission Details, just without identity tags on the file preview.
No Required Text Comment
Many courses require at least one typed comment to complete a review. If a peer only clicked the rubric, Canvas may not flag the review as complete and you may not see any notes yet. When that happens, nudge your classmate or contact the instructor.
Filters In Grades
If you’re filtering the gradebook view by module or date, the assignment link might be tucked away. Clear filters and open the item from Assignments instead. The same Submission Details page loads from either route.
Tips To Get The Most From Peer Notes
Skim, Then Deep-Read
Start with the rubric for a quick scan of strengths and gaps. Then open DocViewer to read markups in context. End in the comment thread to see any summaries or links. This top-down pass helps you build a short revision list without missing key lines.
Reply And Ask For Clarification
You can reply in the comment thread when the course allows it. Keep it short and specific. Ask about a page number or a line, then propose a change to confirm you understood the suggestion. If the course keeps reviews anonymous, write neutrally and avoid guessing who wrote the note.
Track Revisions
When you upload a new attempt, peers and instructors can see that you addressed their points. Mention the revision in a brief comment so reviewers can verify the change. If the course uses a checklist or revision memo, paste headings that match the rubric to keep things tidy.
Use Mobile Wisely
On phones, the preview area is smaller. Pinch to zoom in DocViewer and rotate the device to landscape for more room. If markups feel cramped, switch to a laptop for that pass and use your phone for quick scans of the comment thread or rubric rows.
Accessibility Tips
Use screen reader shortcuts on the Submission Details page to jump to comments and rubric sections. When peers attach files, open them in a separate tab and adjust zoom to suit your needs. If a comment references color, ask for a brief text cue as well.
Special Cases
Group Assignments
In group work, one teammate opens the assignment to see peer notes, and the whole group can read them. If your group submits a new attempt, all members see the same thread and rubric. Decide who posts replies so the thread doesn’t split across messages.
Media, Links, And Non-File Submissions
For Studio videos or URL submissions, feedback appears in the right panel and the rubric. Open the item from Submission Details to see time-stamped notes if the tool supports it. If a peer shares a time code in text, copy it into the player to jump to that moment.
Late Access
If the assignment locks after the due date, you can still read feedback by opening the assignment from Grades. You won’t be able to upload a new file unless the course allows another attempt. If you need to resubmit, message the instructor from the same page.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| What You See | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No “View Feedback” button | No inline markups used | Read comments and rubric |
| Anonymous User listed | Anonymous peer review enabled | Names are hidden by design |
| Blank rubric | Peer didn’t save ratings or course hides until date | Check later or ask instructor |
| Only a file attached | Reviewer uploaded a response | Download the file |
| Blue dot in Grades | New comment posted | Open assignment link |
Short How-To Recap
- Open the course and pick the assignment from Assignments or Grades.
- Click your submission to enter Submission Details.
- Press View Feedback for annotated markups in DocViewer.
- Open Show Rubric for criterion notes and points.
- Read the right-panel comment thread for files, media, and replies.
How This Guide Was Built
The steps above align with Canvas’ own student pages. The guide on finding peer feedback and the article on using DocViewer show the same buttons and panels you’ll see in your course.