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.