What's New in Carmen (12/2007)

Carmen underwent a system upgrade in December 2007, which introduced several new features including enhancements to the Grades, Discussion, Content, and Groups tools.

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Overview of Changes

Navigation Changes

Many tools use a new, simplified navigation structure.

The main menu box on the left side of the screen lets users choose between major options in each tool. Choosing an option in the main menu displays a set of related tasks in the top toolbar.
In many tools, users can select multiple items and edit their properties simultaneously.

Content

The default view of Content for Instructors is Manage Content. Click View Content to switch to the Student View.
There are new, advanced options for customizing the layout of the Content area.
Users can collapse large modules, hiding topics they are not using.
A more extensive User Progress tool tracks how often and how long students visit topics.

Grades

A new setup wizard streamlines configuring a basic Gradebook.
Gradebook columns are now sortable by first name, last name, or grade item. It is also easier and more intuitive for instructors to hide or display columns.
Instructors can enter grades in a simple spreadsheet style interface or import grades from Microsoft Excel.
A built-in calculated column for each category is available.

Discussions

Instructors have greater control for managing discussions, including:
- Locking a topic to allow students to view existing posts without being able to contribute further.
- Moderating discussions to require approval before messages are posted.
- Moving messages from one topic to another. (A “history” option allows instructors to monitor how messages have been changed.)
An assessments tool lets instructors evaluate discussion posts and have scores transferred to the Gradebook. Instructors can also enable learners to rate each other's postings.
A new viewing mode allows users to choose how discussions posts are displayed. The new “reading style” also makes it easier to archive or print discussions.

Groups

The Groups tool can be added directly to the navbar, as well as being accessible through the Classlist and Edit Course area.
Group discussions, lockers, and dropboxes can be created during group setup.
Instructors can auto-enroll new students into groups as they join the class.

Lockers

All students have access to a locker where they can store private files or choose to make them public. Instructors also can create group lockers to facilitate collaborative learning.
Students can submit their locker files directly to the dropbox.

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