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How do I create a release condition?

Release conditions allow you to create custom learning paths for students by setting conditions a student has to fulfill before being allowed to access specific course material or activities. When you attach a release condition to an item, you create rules which restrict users from seeing specific items or content until they meet certain criteria.

For example:

  • –  Students can only take the quiz for week 3 if they have received a passing grade for the quiz in week 2.
  • –  Students will not be able to see the final exam until they have submitted all the previous assignments or activities
  • –  Students are required to view the week’s materials before they can post to the week’s discussion topic. 
  • –  Students who received a passing grade item on an activity will be able to submit to an extra credit assignment

Release conditions are available in nearly every tool or item type in Brightspace including Content, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, Announcements, Awards, Intelligent Agents and more.

To Setup Release Conditions

 
In Content, click the drop down arrow next to the topic name or the module name you wish to attach a release condition, and select Edit Properties in Place, then click into the Add Dates and Restrictions section to “create and attach” release conditions.
 
In the Assignments, Discussions or Quizzes tool, click on the drop down arrow next to the item name and select Edit, then click on the Restrictions tab to create an attach release conditions.

1.  Click Create and Attach

image of create and attach release condition

2.  Select the Condition Type (for example, “Score on a Quiz”)

3.  Select the Condition Details (for example, Quiz name, criteria, and grade)

4.  Click Create

image of quiz score condition

5.  You can add additional criteria if desired. Select whether you want all conditions or any conditions to be met, and then click Update.

image of release condition setting
image of existing release condition

For additional details and a complete list of Release Condition Types, visit the Brightspace documentation.

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How do I create journals for each student?

Create a private group discussion for each student. Put the Discussion in Content through Existing Activities. 

You may want to use Quicklinks in Announcements to link to the journal.

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How do I use Replace Strings?

Replace Strings allow instructors to personalize course content and communication in Brightspace by incorporating the student’s name, for example, into announcements, content, or intelligent agent templates. Essentially, anywhere you find the HTML Editor*.  The use of replace strings can help the instructor build better relationships with students, increase engagement levels, and improve the overall learning experience.

Replace strings are particularly useful within the following:

  • –  Announcements
  • –  Content descriptions (modules, topics, etc.)
  • –  Intelligent Agent templates
  • –  Grades when adding bulk feedback
In your HTML Editor, use the curly bracket {} to enclose the string of text.
 
Here is an example of an announcement using the {FirstName} replace string and the {OrgUnitName} replace string.
example of replace string in use

Most Common Replace Strings for Announcements, Content and Topics

Replace StringDescriptionExample
{FirstName}first nameJohn
{LastName}last nameSmith
{UserName}CCC usernamejsmith999
{ExternalEmail}CCC email addressjsmith999@student.ccc.edu
{OrgUnitName}Course nameFall 2019 English 101 A

Most Common Replace Strings for Intelligent Agents

Replace StringDescriptionFor use in
{InitiatingUser}the user that meets the agent’s criteriaEmail address field
{InitiatingUserFirstName}first name of user  that meets the agent’s criteriaEmail body
{InitiatingUserLastName}last name of user  that meets the agent’s criteriaEmail body
{LastCourseAccessDate}the date the initiating user last accessed the courseEmail subject or Email body

For more information about Replacement String options and examples, please visit this page on Brightspace Help.

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How do I set up Intelligent Agents (automated emails to students)?

Intelligent Agents

An Intelligent Agent can be used to automatically send email to students when certain things happen or don’t happen.  For example, an email communication can be triggered when students:

  • –  haven’t submitted an assignment
  • –  haven’t accessed your Brightspace course in xx amount of days

What tasks might I automate with Intelligent agents?

  • –  Notify students they are doing well in the course
  • –  Notify students when their grade falls below a certain level

Why use Intelligent Agents?

Intelligent Agents automate routine emails, which saves you time while maintaining a high level of student engagement. Timely, focused emails can be very effective at keeping students on their toes, leading to fewer withdrawals and late assignments.

Create an Intelligent Agent

Let’s create an Intelligent Agent to address a common situation:  a student hasn’t logged into your course for 5 days.

1.  Go to Course Admin > Intelligent Agents 

image of intelligent agent

2.  Click New under Agent List

image of new intelligent agent

NEW AGENT

3.  Give the intelligent agent a name such as  5-Day No Access Notification

4.  In Description, state what will trigger the automatic e-mail. For example, “Runs when students do not login to the course in 5 days.” 

5.  Click Agent is Enabled to activate the agent or leave blank if you don’t want it enabled yet.

CRITERIA

6.  Under Role in Classlist, select All users visible in the Classlist to indicate you want the agent to check all students from the classlist.

7.  Under Course Activity, select Take action when the following course activity criteria are satisfied:

Select User has not accessed course for at least _____ day(s) and enter 5

image of new intelligent agent

ACTIONS

8.  Under Repetition, select Take action every time the agent is evaluated and the agent’s criteria are satisfied for a user

9.  Under Send an Email, check the box Send an email when the criteria are satisfied.

To: {InitiatingUser}

Subject: include {OrgUnitName} plus something meaningful such as: 5 Days Since You’ve Logged in. We Miss You!

Message: include {InitiatingUserFirstName} and {LastCourseAccessDate} for personalization

image of intelligent agent send email

SCHEDULING

10.  Select Use Schedule and click Update Schedule

11.  Under Update Agent Schedule, select Daily, repeats every 1 day, and set a Start Date and End Date.

12.  Click Update

13.  Then click Save and Close

image of intelligent agent scheduling
image of intelligent agent scheduling

Your newly created Intelligent Agent will appear in the Agent List

image of newly created intelligent agent

1.  Click on Settings > Set custom values for this course

image of settings
image of settings

For more information on the advantages of Intelligent Agents and templates for the most commonly used Intelligent Agents, visit this Brightspace documentation on Intelligent Agents.

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