Embedded Files
Relevant Deliverables
Relevant Deliverables
On larger assignments, have a first- or second-week activity that compels students to read the assignment instructions then, instead of waiting until just before its due. For example, they might write a two or three sentence proposal, or a quick paragraph summarizing the assignment prompt.
Time & Schedule Advice
Time & Schedule Advice
Where possible, be explicit about time and schedule requirements for completing an assignment. For example, If students should not wait until the night before to begin a writing assignment, say it in the instructions. If you can, describe a rough scaffold for a project ("By week three, you should have an outline. By week seven, you should have some pages of draft.")
Drop the Lowest Score
Drop the Lowest Score
If you have a set of short, low-stakes writing assignments (or assigned discussions), consider dropping the lowest score. This allows students to have a "bad day" they can recover from without needless stress.
File Formatting
File Formatting
If you wish students to use Google Docs and Drive, or D2L dropboxes and .docx/.pdf files for completed assignments, state it explicitly in the syllabus and assignment instructions, and don’t accept alternatives.
If using D2L's dropbox, with or without a plagiarism/AI content detector, insist on Microsoft Word (.docx) format or Portable Document Format (PDF, .pdf). This ensures that you will be able to open their submitted products. D2L's viewer, appearing in the "Evaluate Submission" screen, is particularly good with .docx and .pdf files. “.docx” is a universal standard in business, education, healthcare and government.
The Dropbox tool also lets us restrict to a certain file type or types.
File Names
File Names
Specify how you want students to name files for assignment submissions. For example, I might request that students include their last name, the course number and section, and a short assignment name. It is best if students avoid special characters, and just stick to letters in file names. A good example might be: "gallimorehis124bwri1.docx". D2L often has trouble uploading files with special characters, such as "/".
Scaffolding
Scaffolding
Get students to properly pace themselves on larger assignments by breaking them up into a series of graded smaller steps.
Early Activity
Early Activity
On larger assignments, have a first- or second-week activity that compels students to read the assignment instructions then, instead of waiting until just before its due. For example, they might write a two or three sentence proposal, or a quick paragraph summarizing the assignment prompt.
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