New Features for January 2014

December 28, 2013

As happens twice a year, every year, MyLab Math, MyLab Statistics, and MathXL is getting even better! On December 28, 2013, the following new features will be released.

Have a question about our new features? Come join us on the Math Instructor Exchange and post a discussion question.

Add Offline Categories in the Gradebook (Coming in February 2014)

Instructors will be able to add an unlimited number of “offline” categories in the XL MyLab Gradebook. Each offline category can include any number of assignments and be weighted separately. Work completed for each offline assignment will factor into a student’s overall score once the assignment score has been entered into the Gradebook. New views in the Gradebook show scores for individual offline assignments as well as averages for each offline category.

Assign Study Plan as Prerequisite

Extending the efficacy of adaptive recommendations, the Study Plan can be assigned as a prerequisite to specific tests or quizzes. By default, the “companion” Study Plan includes the objectives from the associated test, but instructors have the option to include/omit any of them and/or add other objectives included in the Study Plan Manager. Instructors will also be able to specify a minimum number of mastery points needed to meet the prerequisite. The companion Study Plan is listed on the student assignments page, with the prerequisite green flag appearing with the associated test.

Weight Assignments by Question Points

Whether instructors use Category Weighting or Assignment Weighting Only, they now have the option to weight assignments by total assignment points – i.e., sum of the points for each question in an assignment. The choice would apply to all assignments in the same category (homework, tests, quizzes). In addition, instructors who choose to display scores in points will see all assignment scores in points throughout the Gradebook, rather than a mixture of percentages and points.

Grade Synchronization with Blackboard and Enhancements for Canvas and Desire2Learn

Whether a MyLab course is integrated directly with Blackboard or via a Pearson-linked course, instructors of these courses can choose to enable grade transfer and have their students’ grades sent from the XL MyLab Gradebook to the Blackboard Grade Center. Instructors can transfer grades for all assignments or only a subset of them. Also, in early 2014 MyLab courses will be integrated with Canvas and D2L via Pearson-linked courses. Courses integrated in this model will include specially formatted Advanced Exports that allow instructors to transfer grades from the XL MyLab Gradebook to the Canvas and D2L gradebooks.

Mobile-friendly Design

To support the upcoming release of the XL mobile player and the increasingly common use of mobile devices, we updated all pages and optimized the design for tablets, with larger, tap-enabled buttons and a fresh, open look and feel.