Conversion of existing assignments to the new assignment workflow released in 3900.98 – 3900.110
Impact: Instructors
In the 3900.98 release in August 2024, we separated the workflows for creating a test and creating an assignment. Prior to the 3900.98 release, the Create Assignment and Create Test workflows shared the same content and settings. The 3900.98 enhancement made each workflow distinct, where the Create Assignment workflow now contains only assignment-specific content and settings, while the Create Test workflow remained unchanged. The new assignment workflow enhancements included:
- A new Instructions box with a full content editor for detailed assignment instructions.
- A streamlined Settings panel with only options relevant to assignments.
- No option to add questions, as assignments cannot contain questions.
- Attempts are only created when students interact with the assignment, such as submitting a file or adding content to the editor.
As part of this release, we are performing a one-time, automatic bulk conversion of assignments created created prior to the new assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release. After the bulk conversion, all assessments will follow either the assignment workflow released in the 3900.98 release or the test workflow. This will ensure that converted assignments benefit from the new assignment workflow's features.
Assignments will be converted in a one-time, bulk process following these definitions:
- Assignment: Any existing assessment without questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as an "assignment.". Assignments will be converted.
- Test: Any existing assessment with questions (such as MCQ, Essay, Hotspot) is classified as a "test." Tests will not be converted.
The conversion will not affect the following items:
- Existing student assignment attempts and grades
- Existing gradebook calculations
- Assignment Settings and Category designation
- Tests
To ensure a successful, consistent conversion to the new assignment workflow, we updated the following processes:
- Converting courses
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Copying items
- Assignments copied from Original courses will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions copied from Original and Ultra courses will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Original archive/export packages
- Assignments will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
- Restoring Ultra archive/export packages
- Assessments without questions will convert to the new assignment workflow.
- Tests without questions will be set to Hidden from students.
Administrators
During the conversion, assessments that are being converted will have an entry of Assignment added to the BBMD_ASSESSMENT_SUBTYPE column in the QTI_ASI_DATA table.
The bulk conversion will occur during the release upgrade. The release upgrade might take longer than normal.
Availability: Available for all Ultra courses.
Activation: None needed.
Configuration: None needed.