Assignments Overview

Article Overview

In Skyllful, an assignment consists of (1) a curriculum set, (2) a tailored group of learners, (3) learning data settings, and (4) completion timeframes that can be customized based on a number of variables.  In this article, we will discuss the assignment templates available in Studio.  We will also present some possible frameworks for your assignment plan.

1. What Comprises an Assignment in Skyllful?
2. Types of Assignments
   • New Hire Assignments
   • Campaign Assignments
   • Resource Assignments
3. Possible Framework for your Team's Collective Assignments
4. Best Practices & Troubleshooting

1) What Comprises an Assignment in Skyllful?

In Skyllful, an assignment consists of (1) a curriculum set, (2) a tailored group of learners, (3) learning data settings, and (4) completion timeframes that can be customized based on a number of variables.  

Curriculum Set

Group of Learners

This assignment has 231 active learners.

Learning Data Settings

Learning analytics are provided via the Skyllful IQ app.  The thresholds used to flag data (that requires attention) can be customized to fit your needs.  Default thresholds are entered, based on average best practices from our previous use cases.  When you are ready, you can start tailoring these thresholds.

Completion Timelines 

You can create multiple completion timelines for the same assignment.  Different audiences may require different windows of time to complete an assignment.  For example: 

• Part-time employees may need longer than full-time employees.
• Teams working 4-on/3-off schedules may need more days than a standard 5-on/2-off crew.
• Individuals with learning accommodations may require an adjusted completion window.

You can use these customizations in any combination.  

• A customized duration (completion window) will override the default for any learner that meets the criteria.
• If you do not establish any customized settings - the default will apply to all Learners.
• If you do create a customization; but not everyone fits the criteria, those who don't will fall under the default time parameters.

2) Types of Assignments 

As you move through the assignment options from left to right, the functionality is reduced (and simplicity increased).  A New Hire assignment template provides the most opportunity for customization whereas the Reference assignment template is the most restricted (or simple).  As we move through the assignment types below, notice how the 4 customization categories are altered (Lessons, IQ Settings, Learners, & Duration).

New Hire Assignments

New hire assignments can be customized in full, as shown above.  Since this assignment template incorporates all available functionalities, you can simplify your assignment framework by relying solely on the New Hire template.  It is a good place to start until you gain more familiarity with the platform.

Customize Lessons, IQ Settings, Learners & Duration

Campaign Assignments

Campaign assignments are used for assignments that have one open and one close date.  You cannot create customized completion windows for different audiences.  This is good for one-time use assignments.

Customize Lessons, IQ Settings, & Learners

Reference Assignments

The nature of a Reference assignment is to house resources for easy access while performing work duties; they are not 'training assignments'.  Additionally, the IQ views are different for Reference assignments than other types of assignments; they lean into analytics like 'what content is being accessed frequently' and 'which learning modes are favored'.  This information can help you build out training content that preemptively meets emerging learning needs and learning styles.

Customize Lessons & Learners

3) Possible Framework for your Team's Collective Assignments

Prior to establishing your assignment hierarchy and framework, its valuable to consider a spectrum of use cases.  Additionally, it is critical that you think through the maintenance requirements for the structure you establish within your Learning Program.  

4) Best Practices & Troubleshooting

Best Practices

Assignment Framework

• See above: Assignment Framework Ideas

Selecting Assignment Types

• Do not let the names of assignment templates in Skyllful create a barrier on how you use them.  
  • Think of the 'New Hire' template as your go-to for long-standing training requirements.  
  • Think of 'Campaign' as your ad hoc training template.  

Tags are Helpful when Grouping Learners for Assignments

• Exploit the tagging system to create learning audiences that are easy to grab (filter) when assigning learners to content.

Troubleshooting

I created an assignment but can't add learners.

• In the lower right corner, click the blue [Create] button.  You cannot add learners or their completion parameters, until the assignment's Lessons and IQ Settings have been established and saved.

I published a new lesson to a course; but, it isn't showing up in that course's assignment.

• You must add NEW lessons to assignments, they will not automatically port into an assignment.
• Make sure someone didn't unpublish it for editing.  While editing, the lesson will not be available to learners.

The Learners cannot see a lesson I have added to an assignment.

• Make sure the lesson is published.  
• If you are editing the lesson, it is in the unpublished state, and it will not be available to Learners until it is republished.

Learners cannot go back and reference lessons they've previously completed.

• Check the assignment's completion date.  If you extend the completion date, they'll be able to see their content for reference purposes.
• If you don't want to extend the close date, you can create a Reference assignment and move the content into it.