Create a New Assignment

Article Overview

 In this article, we will (1) discuss things you should consider when choosing your type of assignment (which template you want to utilize).  We will also show you how to (2) add lessons to the assignment, (3) how to customize the learning data that is reported, (4) how to add learners to an assignment, and (5) how to customize the lesson duration based on learner profiles or individual needs.

1. Choosing an Assignment Type & Dates
   • Link to the Assignment Types Article  
2. Adding Lessons to an Assignment
3. Customizing the Assignment's Data Report Settings
4. Adding Learners to an Assignment
5. Setting the Customizable Time Parameters for an Assignment
   • Link to the Duration Customization Article
6. Best Practices & Troubleshooting

1) Choosing an Assignment Type & Dates

It is important to consider which assignment template you use prior to beginning.  The New Hire assignment has the most functionality and can meet most training needs. The Campaign template is a simplified version where in there is a single start and end date for all enrolled learners.  Finally, the Reference assignment is used as a resource depot instead of a training regiment.

2) Adding Lessons to an Assignment

You can assign a single lesson, or multiple lessons.  You can create an assignment that pulls lessons from one course, or from multiple courses.  The only limitation to the content you can assign is that all lessons must reside in the same Learning Program.

Select from your complete curriculum list, or search for something specific

For this assignment, we have assigned both the Demo and DSDi courses in their entirety.  We have included all learning modes. 

Overview of the Assignment UI once your curriculum has been added

3) Customizing the Assignment's Data Report 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.

4) Adding Learners to an Assignment

You must click the blue [Create] button (see steps above) before you can add Learners to an assignment.

New User UI

Existing Learning Program Users UI

Import User from Other learning Program UI

By opening the Skyllful User caret, you'll see (and select from) a list of users that are loaded into other Learning Programs

5) Setting the Customizable Time Parameters for an Assignment

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.

6) Best Practices & Troubleshooting

Best Practices

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.

Reference Assignments

• Consider disabling knowledge checks for any content you place in a Reference assignment.  

Long-Term Assignment End Date

• If you are creating an assignment that will be used time-and-time again, you can utilize the New Hire template and change the end date to a year far in the future.  
  • This will keep your analytics complete for the targeted audience, over time, as learners come and go.
  • Your readiness level for the content will be calculated based on the duration windows set, not on the end date.  This ensures you have a complete picture of your group's readiness at all times.

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.

My learners were supposed to have ## days to complete training; but, they have less than that.

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.