eAssignments

eAssignments v5 release notes

Staff FAQ's

January 5th 2022 V5.0.0

 

Updates for Administration

1, Simplify time component for Marks to BANNER setting

Marks are only communicated to BANNER once per day at 19:00 however the marks to BANNER setting on the Marking Details tab allows co-ordinators to choose any time of the day. We have changed the drop down list to only allow the co-ordinators to select 18:00 and have added text to explain the setting better.

The following image shows the drop down now only allows you to select 18:00, the databases sync at 19:00 each day.

 

2, “Select Assignment for default values” list ordered alphabetically

When using “Banner Assignment Checkin” the “Select Assignment for default values” drop-down list has now been ordered alphabetically.

This is for when you select your templates. Some lists were getting a bit untidy so we hope that ordering them alphabetically will help. 

 

3, Increased size of usable window

The amount of items that appear on the assignments list page has been increased from 25 to 30.
The viewable vertical space has been increased on all screens.
Vertical and horizontal scrollbars are now available when items are off-screen.

4, Suppress feedback file access to students

A tick box has been added to the Marking Details tab that allows co-ordinators to hide feedback files from the student’s views.

You are already able to hide the feedback from the marking form, now you are able to hide any feedback files that have been uploaded to a submission. This is a toggle, so at any point you wish to hide or show the files you just need to add or remove the tick. A tick WILL hide the feedback files. 

 

5, Suppress Overall Marks access to students

A tick box has been added to the Marking Details tab that allows co-ordinators to hide the overall Mark from the student’s view.

This will be helpful if you wish to hold a formative assessment that is not to be graded but feedback is desirable. When the marks release date has passed students will see the word “Ready” instead of a mark.

 

6, Include Feedback files in “Download Selected Files” operation

Now when a co-ordinator chooses “Download Selected Files” from the submissions tab any feedback files will be included in the zipped file that is downloaded.

 

7, Added filters

Some columns in the administration view did not have the filtering ability, we have added filtering where appropriate.

 

8, Added ‘Group’ column to Marking tab

The Group column as seen on the submissions tab has been added to the Marking tab.

 

9, Better warnings about using multiple tabs

When a co-ordinator opens eAssignments in more than one tab a warning is shown to remind them of the issues that this can cause.

It is rare, but if errors occur because someone has used eAssignments in more than one tab the problems caused can be very hard to untangle.

Updates for Marking

1, Better warning/signposting for markers about to finalise a mark.

When a Marker/Moderator selects the “Submit Final Marks” button they are now asked if they are sure that they would like to continue, or cancel.

2, Better display of instructions to markers.

Instructions are now displayed above the list of submissions to be marked in the markers view.

Updates for Students

1, Alerts for group submissions sent after submission.

When a student has submitted on behalf of the group for a group submission, the other group members will no longer receive the deadline reminder alert.

2, File size check at submission.

If the assignment has been set up to make use of Turn It In originality checking, students are no longer able to submit files larger than 100MB.

If they do they are warned that the file is too large and a guide for how to make files smaller is offered.

How to allow students to submit a video assignment in an assessment system

Bb Assessment, Bb assignments, eAssignments, Panopto

Example scenario

It may be the case where you wish to allow your students to submit an assignment with a video file in conjunction with some written work or just submit a video file, the video could be a group presentation, a individual presentation, a performance piece, demonstrating something the list goes on. As part of this assessment you would want your students to submit to your preferred assessment system such as Blackboard assignments, Turnitin, eAssignments or even ECS Handin, allowing you can continue to do marking as normal. However, the problem is that these systems do not work in accepting large video files or allow multiple file types to be submitted at the same time. The problem is how do you continue to mark as normal, but allow videos to be submitted.

Solution

To make this work create your assessment as normal in your preferred system. You can then let students know that they can use video in the assessment, but must submit a document like normal except this time the document needs to have a weblink to the video.

We recommend that you get your students to either make their video in Panopto directly, or upload a video they have into Panopto. Students can submit to a Panopto assessment folder that you may wish to set up on your course. If you wish to create an assessment folder on Panopto then use this guide: Panopto assessment

If you do not want to make a Panopto assessment folder, then students can make or upload content to their own personal Panopto ‘My Folder’ area. From this space they can change the sharing options to share with you or a marker.

Important: Sharing a video assignment from a students ‘My Folder’ rather than a ‘Panopto assessment’ folder, gives the student, rather than you, control over the video. Whilst it is easier that a student uses their My Folder as there is no setup work required, it will allow a student to edit or delete a video after the assignment deadline.

If students wish to create their own video in Panopto then the following guide pages will help them: Panopto Web recorder and Panopto create

If students wish to upload a pre-existing video file to Panopto then this guide will help: Panopto upload

Once the video is in Panopto the students can then change the sharing options of the video so it can be shared with you (Note: in a Panopto assessment folder you can skip this): Panopto sharing

They will then need to obtain the link to the video in Panopto. This can be done by either playing the video and copying the link from the browser and pasting it into the document, or by going to the video in Panopto and clicking on the ‘Share’ button.

On the share page at the top simple select and copy the ‘Link’ text.

Once the student has the link pasted into the document, they can submit the document to the assessment system as normal.

When it comes to marking you will now have a document with a link to a Panopto video that you can watch, and you can continue to mark/make comments about the video in the assessment system as normal.

Why use Panopto?

We recommend using Panopto rather than other systems for several reasons; Panopto is easier to use, Panopto has unlimited storage capacity for students to upload/create videos, students can do basic editing in the Panopto online editor, it is easier to share videos, we have more control and ability to help students with recordings or changing sharing permissions and the videos can be shared with external examiners if needed.

Still need help?

Get in touch with us via ServiceLine if you wish to look into this more or have any other questions.

Short duration online assessments

Bb assignments, Bb Tests and Surveys, Blackboard, eAssignments, QM Perception, Support, TurnItIn

Before setting up an online summative assessment, it is imperative that you have approval from your Deputy Head of School Education and AQSC to ensure that the risks are being mitigated effectively and adequate provision for the support of all students taking the assessment are in place.

The Centre for Higher Education Practice has produced an online assessment guide which includes alternatives to short duration tests or exams. We strongly recommend that you investigate these options and use these in preference where possible. You can also contact CHEP for guidance about designing Open Book exams.

In uncontrolled environments, where students are completing computer-based assessments outside of an invigilated University computer-based exam location, there is no way to assure that problems will not occur. Students may be adversely affected as a result.

Lockdown browsers and online proctoring are measures that are not currently available at UoS, whether you are running essay, short answer format, or defined-response questions.

Creating robust, online, defined-response tests (such as MCQs) requires front-loading development time. Typically, such tests tend to focus on the ability to recall and organise information.  It is better practice to design test questions that focus more on higher-order and critical thinking and that require the application, analysis, and evaluation of learning, rather than simple knowledge recall.

In terms of security, be aware that students can take a picture of questions on their phone, or write down the questions.   While random selection can help to ensure students do not see the same questions it will not result in an even distribution of questions.  In a defined response test, students may still see the same questions as their peers, even with randomisation selected.

In terms of support, ServiceLine is available to resolve technical queries in developing assessments, but at this time we cannot guarantee dedicated and scalable support to “in flight” Short Duration Online Assessments. Blackboard tests had been recommended only for formative use previously and OnDemand for summative use.  Blackboard tests have not been tested for suitability for summative use.

Tools to support short duration online assessments

Turnitin via Blackboard Blackboard Tests Blackboard Assignments OnDemand
Recommended for Long essay and typed short essay/text answers Short answer computer-based tests, bubble sheets, or defined response. Short answers, uploading handwritten answers & images Only if you have used it before
Features Plagiarism check No plagiarism check.
Variety of question types inc multiple-choice, fill in the blanks & short answer
Randomised questions
Math editor		 No plagiarism check Variety of questions types inc multiple-choice, short answer, essay & file response
Marking tools available Rubric
Quick marks
Inline marking		 Automated marking Yes – except for File Response, Essay, and Short Answer. Direct annotation
Inline marking
Quick marks
Rubric		 Automated marking – except for File Response, Essay, and Short Answer.
Set up Multiple assignments need to be created if more than one document is to be uploaded Time needed to develop robust, potentially single-use, defined-response questions. Only to be used if you have used this before. Contact ServiceLine for technical checking and scheduling.
How will the assessment be completed? Students advised to download the question paper, work offline in Office 365 using autosave. Save and upload a Word document.** Online via Blackboard Students advised to download the question paper, work offline in Office 365 using autosave. Save and upload a document. For handwritten answers, scan paper to PDF using a scanner or the Office Lens or OneDrive app on a mobile** Online
Risks Low.
Users’connections issues – mitigated if they use O365 with autosave		 High* – dependent on users’ internet connection. See Risks and Mitigation section Low.
Users’connections issues.
No access/knowledge of tools needed for uploads such as smartphone or scanner		 High* – dependent on users’ internet connection. See Risks and Mitigation section

Risks and possible mitigation

The risks outlined in this section apply to all forms of short duration online assessment. The assessment recipes contain additional, specific risks.

Practice makes perfect

In all circumstances, it is very beneficial to run a short formative assessment using the same methods and options that would be used in the summative assessment. This allows students to get used to the interface and process and allows staff to ensure that the results they receive are what they expect.

Be aware that cloud-based services may change quickly

Blackboard, Turnitin, and OnDemand are all “cloud based services”. We do not maintain and upgrade these services ourselves, instead, they are hosted externally.  This means that the services may change from week to week – usually for the better, but sometimes with unintended consequences.

As an example, in November a new text editor was introduced into Blackboard.  A bug was found where response feedback for the Grade Questions feature of the Grade Centre was missing the new content editor, and text entered into the box there wouldn’t save. Blackboard will be delivering a fix for this issue in December.

The lesson is,  outside of a controlled environment of campus-based exams, there is potential for new issues to be introduced in our cloud-based services.

Have you considered students in different time zones?

Be mindful of those students outside of the UK time zone when selecting certain times for tests to be available.  Allowing the assessment to be taken at any time of day will be more inclusive for those outside of the UK.

Do students have the appropriate equipment or connectivity to complete an assessment?

Part of the approval process for Short Duration Online Assessments is conditional on this risk being mitigated.

Errors found in the assessment after it has been made available.

Ensure that the questions, rubric and all settings have been thoroughly proof read and reviewed for errors by yourself and relevant colleagues in good time before the assessment is due to take place.

Where a mistake is found after students have started the test please follow the appropriate AQSC Policy.

The IT service (e.g Blackboard) becomes unavailable during the assessment window.

Create a backup plan; for example, students should send an email to the school student office with their submission attached, and ensure your students and school are aware of the plan you agree.

Guidance for students

  • ALL questions about the assessment, including technical queries, should be directed to a named contact in the faculty*, such as an instructor of the course.
    • This contact will then answer questions about the assessment and, in the case of technical questions they are unable to answer, they should use the “Raise Serviceline Ticket” link in the course’s Control Panel.
*this is based on on this section of Section IV: General Information and Regulations of the University Calendar that states that “The nominee(s) of the Associate Dean (Education) must be available during the whole of the examination period in case of queries”, to keep the Short Duration Online Assessment process aligned with this exams process that it replaces, the nominee (usually a course instructor) should be available for student queries during their working hours.

Assessment Recipes

If you:

  1. Have obtained the necessary approvals from your DHoSE and AQSC,
  2. Have taken steps to ensure risks are mitigated (including, but not limited to, the information above and in the assessment recipes),
  3. Have satisfied yourself that the necessary functionality can be achieved using the tools above.

Then review the following recipes which have been designed to support the following assessment types:

Checking a short duration online assessment

Certain staff will be responsible for checking and verifying assessment set up.

I can’t see my assignment

Student FAQ's

First double check that your submission window has started and that the date has not passed more than 5 days past the deadline.

If the submission window has not passed speak to your Faculty Office and ask them to check the assignment.

If the submission window has passed speak to your Faculty Office and they will discuss further options.

If your faculty office is unable to help contact iSolutions via ServiceLine, providing them with the module code, assignment name and deadline date.

 

My file won’t upload

Student FAQ's

Try using a University computer to upload the file. If you are unable to get access to a University computer then you can use sve.soton.ac.uk to upload the work from a virtual University PC.

If that still fails to work please check that your file size is not too large (see other FAQ page) and that you have a decent internet connection.

If after all this you are still unable to upload your file please contact your Faculty Office to make sure they are aware of the situation, and they can then advise you.

Why can’t I select the file I need to upload?

Student FAQ's

This can often be the case if you have saved your document in the wrong file format. You should find that all software is available on sve.soton.ac.uk where you can then open and resave your document into the file format needed.

Alternatively, this can be a common issue for Word (.doc/.docx) or Excel (.xls/.xlsx) based documents. Because of this we highly recommend that you do not use any other software to create a document with such as OpenOffice, Google Docs and Apple Pages.

Always use Microsoft Office products to create and save your documents in. As a student you get 5 free copies of MS Office suite programs from your Office 365 account and you can always use sve.soton.ac.uk if needs be.

If you are still unable to upload the document check with your Faculty Office to make sure you are trying to upload the correct file format.

 

Are there file size limits?

Staff FAQ's, Student FAQ's

File size limits

Even if your file is within the file size limit, it may not upload due to issues with your internet connection. You are always advised to compress images and media content if they are part of your submission.

eAssignment

100mb with plagiarism checking

250 mb without plagiarism checking

Turnitin

100mb

Blackboard Assignment

none

 

Compressing files

If a document is over the file size limit, then it might be possible to make the document smaller by compressing the images.  Microsoft has a guide on how to do this found here: Reduce image file sizes.

If you are submitting a PowerPoint presentation containing media content (audio and video), you can compress this by following these instructions: Compress your media files.

(If you are working on a Mac, you will not have this option but you can save your presentation to your OneDrive and log into the Southampton Virtual Environment; from here you will have the option to compress media files when you open your file in PowerPoint)

Audio and video submission

We generally recommend using Panopto when submitting audio and video: https://elearn.southampton.ac.uk/panopto/students/

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