The September 2023 – 3900.74 release:

• Unsplash Learning Module Image Finder
• Course banner images from Unsplash
• Auto-captioning for video and audio feedback
• Batch Edit support for recursive actions
• Copying Announcements
• Reminder improvements for anonymous grading
• Improved progress tracking for graded LTI content
• Updated wording for course alerts in the Activity Stream
• Turn off/on Class Collaborate per course
• Mobile App – Grades landing page improvement

Unsplash Learning Module Image Finder

Learning modules serve as a strategic tool for structuring and curating course content. Elevating both the visual allure of the learning modules and the ease of content discernment is important. To help, we plan to provide the ability to search stock images from Unsplash. With this option, instructors can enter keywords to search for and select high-quality, royalty-free images.

Image 1: Add image option when editing an existing or creating a new learning module

Image 2: Enter keyword (s) and search stock images from Unsplash

Image 3: Image marked as decorative.

Course banner images from Unsplash

The course banner image provides an important sense of identity for the course. We are expanding the image options for the course banner by introducing Stock Images from Unsplash. Instructors can enter keywords to search for high-quality, royalty-free images.

Image 1: Add image option when editing the display settings

Image 2: Enter keyword(s) and search stock images from Unsplash

Images will automatically appear if your administrator has activated “Generate keywords for Unsplash.” Once the ideal image is selected, the instructor can choose the focal point of the image.

Image 3: Select focal point of the image

The image is marked as decorative by default. The course banner toggle is turned on. The instructor can untick ‘Mark the image as decorative’ and add specific alternative text.

Image 4: Image marked as decorative and course banner toggle set to on

Auto-captioning for video and audio feedback

Ensuring accessible and inclusive experiences for our students is of paramount importance. We have taken a significant step forward by implementing automatic captioning for audio and video content used in assessment feedback and announcements. This feature enhances accessibility and fosters inclusivity. Auto-captioning also supports diverse language preferences, aligning with the user’s chosen language in Learn.

Image 1: Auto-captioning within Learn Ultra Assessments

Batch Edit support for recursive actions

Batch editing offers value by streamlining and expediting repetitive tasks. We have updated batch edit to now support recursion. Batch edit actions now apply to all items inside of Folders and Learning Modules.

Image 1: Items inside of Folders and Learning Modules are now included in selections

With this change, all items are now visible on a single page. We have added the ability to expand and collapse Folders and Learning Modules.

Instructors can now perform the following tasks much faster:

• Shift Dates: Select all items and shift the dates forward before you adjust the dates for each item. This is helpful when needing to make sweeping date adjustments.
• Adjust Visibility: Select all items and set them to visible or hidden. This is helpful after course copies, imports, or conversions. In some copy cases, items are hidden by default. Instructors may want to make them visible.
• Remove date/time release conditions: Select all items and set them to visible or hidden. This is helpful when having trouble updating due dates. Due dates must be after the Show On date and before the Hide After date.

We have also made a couple of usability improvements:

• Truncated Long Titles: Items with long titles would overlap with dates and times. Long titles are now truncated to prevent that from happening.
• Fixed Table Header: Batch Edit was difficult to use with courses that had a lot of items. Users would need to scroll to the top of the page to see the column title. The table header now follows the user as they scroll down the page.
• Replaced Dropdown: The batch edit actions available were not obvious. We have replaced the dropdown with individual buttons. The buttons do not become active until a user has selected items.

Users can select up to 100 items when performing a batch edit action.

Reminder improvements for anonymous grading

Students may sometimes complete an assessment but fail to submit it. Instructors can send email reminders to non-submitters. In the past, it was unclear if all students received the emailed reminder. Now a banner informs instructors of the number of students who received the email reminder. Information for any student who did not receive the email due to an invalid or missing email address is also included.

Image 1: Instructor view – banner displays the number of students for whom the reminder was sent; the banner also notes the number of students who did not receive the email

Image 2: Student view – email reminder now includes the due date

Improved progress tracking for graded LTI content

Accurate course progress tracking is key for both students and instructors. Some instructors include graded LTI content in their course. In the past, progress tracking for graded LTI content was only updated manually by the student. Now when a student submits their work, their progress status updates to “complete.” This change ensures better reporting for instructors and accurate progress tracking for students.

Image 1: Graded LTI content is marked as complete after the student submits their work