[VPAAEtal] LearningStudio (eCollege) Discussion Threads Update

[Academic Affairs]

LearningStudio (eCollege) Discussion Threads Update

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This is the latest release of an update to LearningStudio Threads. The latest changes respond to the need for faculty to Block Inappropriate Posts and needed UI/UX improvements in: Discussion Nested View, Gradebook Detail View for Threads, Multiple Topics and Post Replies.

What can they do now that they couldn't do before:

Block Inappropriate Posts

In Author Mode, faculty can now block posts containing inappropriate, offensive or abusive content. Faculty have the ability to block a single posting or multiple postings associated to a thread.

Improved UI/UX

As part of the Pearson learner-centered design practice our designers: examined the whole discussion thread experience; conducted journey-mapping and eye-tracking exercises; and optimized four areas in Threads to better meet student and faculty expectations.



Gradebook Detail View for Threads



Discussion can be viewed in the Gradebook

Instructors will see that the bottom half of screen is now more similar to the discussion experience. Faculty now have more detail data on the latest thread activity for improved at-a-glance statistics.



Multiple Topics

In discussion threads with more than one topic, topic titles (along with the description) are added and are more prominent on the screen.

Threaded Discussion View

     1. Reply and Respond Button Labels

The first button on the screen is updated: the Reply label was changed back to Respond; and all subsequent buttons are labeled: Reply. This change further emphasizes the call to action in the chronology of discussion tasks. See screenshot below.

           Improved Clarity in the Nested view of Posts

In conducting our eye-tracking exercise, it was revealed that faculty and students were getting lost as they scanned the discussion. They needed additional visual cues to better lead them from post to post and further clarify the relationship between parent and child posts. Other improvements include: spacing alignment and relative icon sizing.

     2. Parent Posts: are more prominent on the screen with a larger font and avatar; indicating that other posts are in response to this one.

     3.  Child Posts: a gray wrapper was added around the child posts clearly aids in defining its relationship is in response to the parent post.

What to expect:

  *   The Block Inappropriate Posts feature, has been requested to be turned on by our SCO consultant.
  *   The UX improvements and updates to the Gradebook Detail view are automatic for all EPs who have the new Threads experience turned on.





Center for Faculty Excellence and Innovation
903.886.5511 (office)
903.886.5991 (fax)
online at tamu.edu<mailto:online at tamu.edu>





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