Assignment submissions and discussions

MySchool has released a new feature on Assignments 1.8, student submissions and discussions. Students can now submit text and file submissions for their assignments. This feature allows Teachers to centralise their student assignment work using the MySchool platform. They can manage student workload, determine hand in dates, and store the returns as evidences for the new assessment module. To assist students during their projects and coursework, Teachers can open a discussion thread for each each assignment. Here they can exchange information using the new student portal page - Assignments.

This is only available when using the new assignment module with a dedicated student portal page. If you still need to transition towards this module, then contact our support team for further assistance.

How to access

Access these new features you need to create a new assignment, open the assignment menu, open the assignment grade grid. As a course Teacher you can open a new assignment with the quick links icon. 

Opening student submissions for assignments

Firstly check the assignments module by impersonating a course Teacher, and create a new assignment. 

Secondly, impersonate a student from the course, check that they have access access to the following assignments page.

The url should show content/assignment/assignment_student_view.php.

How does it work?

Teachers start by creating a new assignment. Make sure the mandatory fields are completed on the planning tab otherwise it will not save. The submissions and discussions options are available in the option tab.

The submissions drop down has 4 options available;

1. Do not accept

This is the default setting for assignments, and will not open the submission fields on the student portal.

2. Text only

This opens a text box in the student portal. Students can submit online text with formatting options. The result will appear in the assessment tab of the assignment. Note that this will not be represented on the grade grid view.

 3. Attachments only

Selecting this submission option allows student to upload a file in their portal. this again is stored on the assessment page of the student.

4. Text & Attachments

This allows for both a text submission and a file upload.

Let's look at the student portal

Students click on the Assignment menu header. By default the students active assignments are classed as Due this week, Due next week, and Due after this week. 

Open the assignment, and the slide over window allows students to enter their text and/or file submissions.

1. The text submission has a rich text entry field. Your students can create customised submissions using this formatting menu. There maybe limitations when copying from other word editing programmes. We would advise students to enter their text submissions using the MySchool options available.

2. If file submissions have been enabled, the student selects add file and attaches from their file explorer. 

3. If they wish to submit their work then select the Submit button. If they wish to come back and amend the submission then encourage them to Save as draft. 

Assessing the submissions

Back as the course Teacher, the students submissions are visible in the assessment tab of the assignment. They can now grade the submissions and add a final comment. This will appear on the student portal and the student can read the feedback and grade.

If the assignment has a learning outcome attached, then the assignment will be recorded as an evidence. Look at the subject specifications article to learn more about setting learning outcomes for your subject.

Discussion threads

Teachers may wish to open an online discussion forum for their students. They can prove guidance and assist them with research material for example. This is available on the options tab of the individual assignment. Select Assignment only from the drop down options. 

When the forum is open and applied, a text box appears on the option tab. The Teacher can enter their instructions and all students attached to that assignment will see it on their portals. To validate the comment, both the students and teachers use ENTER to send the message.

Teachers can reply individually to the students comments by selecting reply in the discussion thread.

Assessment tools

Using subject specifications and the new assignment features is a great way to keep all documents centralised and on one system. This makes it easier for Teachers to safely store submitted assignments, give feedback and guidance to help their students whilst they prepare their submissions. Most of all it is online and paper free. 

Please contact our support team to enable and map the assignment page to your student portals.