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Greetings from all of us here at WebAssign. We hope this semester has been a smashing success for you, and hope to see everyone in Raleigh this summer for WAUG 2005!
In this issue:
New WebAssign Features!
Automatic Extensions
You can now allow your students to receive an extension of the due date for some or all assignments without having to manually grant them. To use this feature, you create an extension policy within WebAssign, which can be the same or different for each category of assignments.
There are four settings for an extension policy -- Manual, Automatic, Both, or Disabled. If you allow Automatic Extensions, you must set the maximum number of requests a student can make for each assignment, the amount of time after the assignment due date for which automatic extensions are allowed, and the amount of time you will give the student to complete the assignment after they make their request.
Automatic Extensions is currently marked as "Beta", meaning we are actively looking for comments/suggestions for improvements or changes. The final look/behavior of automatic extensions may change based on feedback.
CommCheck
Many instructors have requested that we gather and display a list of any communication items that need attention when you first log in.
 We have added a new 'CommCheck' icon on the main WebAssign toolbar. The number next to the mailbox indicates the total number of unanswered communication items in your classes.
WebAssign will check for any new private messages, help requests, and extensions in all classes when you log in, and every 20 minutes after that as you continue to work within WebAssign. When we find any new items, the flag on the mailbox will be up and the number of items will be listed next to it.
Clicking the mailbox will always check for new items, and will display more detailed information about which items in your classes require attention along with direct links to those items.
Coming Soon
- Download Manager
- A one-stop-shop for downloading any data that is in WebAssign into a file on your computer. Scores data, GradeBook, Rosters, and other data will all be accessible through an single easy to use "Wizard" type interface.
- Folders
- Imagine being able to organize your classes, assignments, questions, files and other WebAssign resources (textbook questions included) any way that you find convenient. We're working on it! A customizable folder structure which allows you to file and access all of your WebAssign content, as well as a way to "delete" things by sending them to the Trash folder. We feel that this change will vastly simplify the way you use WebAssign.
- Roster Creation Simplified
- We are also working on improvements to the roster upload process to make it easier to take any file you are able to obtain from registration and records and let WebAssign turn that into your roster. Expect this for Fall 2005.
New Member of the WebAssign Team
WebAssign is proud to welcome Wade Minter, our new Director of Information Technology. Wade will take on all aspects of running the physical WebAssign system, and will help us continue to grow our system in a smooth way while maintaining the highest level of speed and availability.
WAUG 2005: June 27 - 29
Mark your calendars and plan to be in Raleigh for the 2005
WebAssign User's Group Meeting.
Why Tahiti? Come find out...
On Monday, June 27 at 9:00 am, we will start off the conference with a series of hands-on workshops featuring the latest enhancements of WebAssign as well as instructions for newcomers. Come learn about all of the new features that make WebAssign the best online homework system!
If you are interested in attending a workshop, please indicate which ones are most important for you on the registration form or suggest topics you would like us to include.
- Basic introduction
- Using the GradeBook
- Using Automatic Extensions
- Coding questions
- Using the new Folders system
- Managing large, multi-section classes
- Managing Communications
- Roster Creation
And much more. WAUG is for you, so be sure to let us know what topics you would like to see on the agenda. See you in Raleigh!
New WebAssign Manual Available
We have updated the online version of the WebAssign manual. The new version is available as a PDF on the manual page. The PDF even has bookmarks for easy navigation. Please let us know if you spot any errors.
We plan to update the online HTML version of the manual in the near future.
As you know we are always working
to improve WebAssign. A few of the items that are currently on our
drawing board:
Until next time, best wishes
from all of us!
Sincerely,
The WebAssign Team
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