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The course element Task allows you to assign one or more files containing tasks to learners. Alternatively, you can also have the learners select the task file(s) themselves. Once the selection is made, users can create or upload one or more solution files. The performance of each participant can be assessed separately and provided with personal feedback. The solutions can be assessed and marked with a passed status. Files with sample solutions can be visibly displayed to all users. Furthermore, good user solutions can be suggested as a sample solution.

For this course element, it is also possible to provide assessment and feedback by a Peer review.

Content

Further information

Usage: Learners' View

Overview

The course element Task divides into several areas. These areas are displayed depending on the configuration and processing status. The example image on the right shows a course element Task, which contains all areas and has already been completely processed by a user.

AssessmentDepending on the setting, you can see different assessment elements such as the score, mark, and passed status in the area Assessment. This area will become visible only after the tutor has submitted an assessment for you.
Your task

Depending on the course author's specification, you will see one or more task files from which you may either select one or choose the task file that has already been assigned to you automatically. The selected or assigned task will be highlighted. Depending on the course author's setting, all tasks can be previewed regardless of your choice. The displayed icons indicate which options have been configured for this course element by the author.  

All available options are explained in the section Functions for users.  

It is not possible to select multiple tasks. You can view multiple tasks, but always select only one task for processing.

Sample solutionThis area contains suggested solutions or similar files provided by the author. Click on the title to start the download.
Submit solutionIn this area, you can submit your solutions. You can create new documents as well as upload existing files from your hard disk. However, it is the author's decision to determine which of the two options are available.
Returned documentsIf the tutor or assessor has left correction notes in the form of files for you, you will find these documents in this area.
Example of a course element task

The availability of the individual areas depends on the configuration of the tutor and on your processing status.

Automatic progress

If the course progress indicator is activated for a course, the course element will automatically be marked as completed upon the first finished attempt of the user. This process is independent of any possible assessment.

Functions for users

As a user, you can use the following functions in a course element of the type Task:

Subscribe to task
You can subscribe to course elements to get automatically informed about changes.

To subscribe to a course element, proceed as follows:

  1. Open the relevant course and go to the desired course element.
  2. Click the Subscribe button in the upper right corner of the course element view.

Example: Subscribing to a course element File discussion

Subscribe to course element



3. If you have already subscribed to this course element, you will see the button Unsubscribe. Click this button if you want to cancel the subscription.
Unsubscribe button

For further information about the general configuration options for receiving notifications, refer to the page Subscriptions and notifications.


Preview

If the course author has enabled the preview function, you can view the tasks before making your selection. Just click on  the file title. The download will start immediately. If nothing happens when clicking on the file title, the preview is disabled.

Selection of task by user


If a task is followed by this symbol, you can make your own selection. By clicking on this symbol, your selection will be saved, and the selected task file will be highlighted. At the same time, the selection button will disappear from all other task entries.

Deselect


If this symbol appears at the end of the entry of the selected task, you can cancel the selection of this task and select another one. Click on the symbol. The coloured marking disappears and the button to select a task reappears for all available task files.

The option to deselect a task will only be available if previously configured by the author of the course.

Create tasks


If these two buttons appear in the area Your task, the course author has enabled you to create task files.  

  • Create: You can use this function to create new HTML files and store them as a solution. After clicking on this button, the
    Text editor opens.  
  • Upload: By using this function button, you open a new window which allows you to upload one or more files.

Submit solutions


If you see at least one of these symbols, you can submit a solution.

To submit a solution to the task, proceed as follows:  

  1. Open the course element Task.
  2. Go to the section Submit  solution.
  3. Depending on the configuration of the task element, the functions Create and Upload will be available.
  • Create: You can use this function to create new HTML files and store them as a solution. After selecting this function, the Text editor opens .  
  • Upload: By using this function button, you open a new window which allows you to upload one or more files.
Submit a solution to the task


Edit already submitted solutions later 

If you see this icon, you can still edit your solution after creating or uploading it.

After creating or uploading your solution, you can still edit it.

  1. To do this, click on the pencil icon at the end of the entry.
  2. The text editor opens. You can now make your changes.
  3. Then click the Save button in the text editor.
Edit an already submitted solution

Save solution to the eportfolio  

By clicking on this symbol, you can also save your solution as an artefact to your eportfolio or assign it to a collaborative folder.

Delete already submitted solution

You can delete a previously created or uploaded document if you can see the delete icon at the end of the line.  

To delete a single file, use the Delete button at the end of the entry.

If you want to delete multiple files, select the desired entries using the checkbox in front of the title and press Delete in the head of the table.

Delete a solution file


You can be assigned extended rights by a course supervisor. These rights will make additional functions, such as creating and editing tasks, available to you. For more information about these functions, refer to the section Functions in the course view.

Configuration: Authors' View  

In the course editor

The following functions are available for the course element Task in the course editor:

Add a course element task

To integrate a course element into your course, proceed as follows:
1

Open the course you want to edit.

Use the pencil icon at the top of the page to open the editing mode.

Switch from the course view to the editing mode

2

Select a course element from the menu on the right.

Select course element

3

In the new window, you can define the position of the new course element within your course structure (left navigation pane). The available positions are marked with an insert icon.

To insert the new course element into an existing substructure, you need to open the substructure by clicking on the small triangle symbol next to its title. The area will open and you will again see insert icons at the positions which are available.

Click on the insert icon at the desired position within the structure. The selected area will be highlighted.

Confirm your choice with Insert course element.

Insert course element into the course tree

4

The element will be inserted into the course structure at the selected position.

Depending on the course element, you have to make additional configurations or add content in order to complete the configuration.

For these changes to take effect, you must publish the course. The course element will then also become available in the course view.

Configure and publish course element



General configuration settings

In the course editor, you can see the following configuration tabs:

Title and description

Course editor settings in the tab title and description
ElementsDescription
Title

You need to enter a title for the course element. The title can comprise a maximum of 100 characters. All special characters and numbers are permitted. The title will appear in the navigation menu of the course and also as a heading in the content area.

(warning)  If you change the title of the first course element, the new content will only be applied to the main course node and then displayed in the opened course. If you wish to edit the course title or description, you can do so using the more settings menu of the course.

SubtitleYou can enter a subtitle for the course element with a maximum of 255 characters. All special characters and numbers are permitted. The title will appear as a tooltip in the navigation menu and - if selected and configured accordingly - as a subtitle in the content area.
Description

Here you can describe the course element. The description will appear in the content area below the title.

Depending on the settings configured in the element Display, this additional text is displayed to the user when opening the course element. The user can expand or collapse the view of the text.


Display

Define which information about the course element should be displayed in the course view. In addition to the content, you can optionally display the title and description. All course elements are provided with a reasonable presetting, which mostly includes the setting Title, description and content. You can adjust this setting in accordance with the options available for each course element. For an example of the different setting options, refer to the help page Displaying information about the course element.

Set link for this course element

Each course element can be accessed via fixed link addresses. Therefore, an internal and an external URL is assigned to each course element. These direct links to concrete elements can be used within courses or provided to learners. The URLs are located below the title and description of the element and will appear upon selecting Set link for this course element.  

  • External link: To refer to this course element from outside of the course or learning platform, you can use the external link and insert it, for example as a href attribute, into the desired HTML page.
  • Internal link: To set a link to another course element within the same course, you can insert the internal link as a href attribute into the desired HTML page.
IDYou will need the ID number of the course element (on the bottom right), for example, if you wish to use the expert mode in the visibility or access tab.


Visibility

In the areas Visibility and Access, authors and course owners can individually determine the presentation of course elements. If no input is made in the access area, the content of a course element will by default be visible to all course participants after publishing the element. Apart from the general options listed below, additional configuration options are available depending on the course element.

The following general options are available for the configuration of visibility and access:

Course editor - Tab visibility and access


General configuration optionsDescription
Blocked for learners

If you select this checkbox, all other configuration options will disappear. The course element content is now exclusively accessible for tutors and administrators of the course.

Block access or visibility for learners
Depending on dateMark this checkbox to specify a particular access time. You can set individual dates or date ranges by filling in only one or both input fields respectively. You can also create or delete dates via the + and - buttons.

Set access or visibility rights depending on dates

Depending on group

Select this checkbox to restrict the accessibility of the course element to learning groups or learning areas. You can then select existing groups and areas or create new ones.

If you set restrictions with the configuration option "depending on group", the corresponding course element will be restricted for all non-members of the group. This includes, for example, users who have not yet confirmed the group invitation or who are on the waiting list for a group. Such users cannot yet see or access the restricted course element.


Set access or visibility rights depending on groups

Depending on assessmentHere, you will find all assessable course elements. These include, for example, the elements test, assessment, task, or structure. 

If you select the option Check for "passed", you will be able to choose a course element from the input field Course element, which the user must have passed as a prerequisite to accessing this course element. 

If you select the option Check score, you can indicate a number of points in the input field "Passing score", which have to be achieved in order to be able to access the course element.

Set access or visibility rights depending on assessments

Depending on attribute

The visibility of this option is system-dependent.

Via this option, you can set visibility or access rights according to user attributes. Only users who meet the predefined attributes will be able to see the course element or have access to its content. Multiple attributes need to be linked with an operator (AND/OR).

Different kinds of relational operators might be available depending on the selected attribute. For example:

  • "contains the value"
  • "does not contain value"
  • "has exactly the value"
  • "does not have value"
  • "starts with value"
  • "ends with value"
  • "greater than" (>)
  • "less than" (<)
  • "greater than/equals" (<=)
  • "less than/equals" (>=)

A list of all available attributes of several selected institutions can be found on the page Overview of the OPAL-Shibboleth attributes.

Set access or visibility rights depending on attributes

Apply rules also for author, owner and tutorThis option does not become visible until one of the other options has been selected. If you activate the checkbox, the same access rules which apply to users will also be valid for tutors and course administrators.

Apply rules also for author, owner and tutor

PasswordThis option is only available in the area Access and can either be applied to the whole course or a structural element of the course. Enter the desired password, which users will need to use in order to gain access to the course content, in the text field.

Set access or visibility rights depending on passwords

Display expert modeClick on the button Display expert mode to open an input field, which allows you to perform a more complex configuration according to your needs. For more detailed information about the expert mode, see the help page Publishing within Courses (Expert Mode).
Set access or visibility rights in the expert mode
Advanced configuration optionsIn the case of individual course element types, there are further attributes to configure access to editing rights for course participants.

If various restrictive single options are set, they will be linked with AND, i.e. all conditions of the single options must be met for the user to see and have access to the course element. The only exceptions are the single options Attributes. In this case, various restrictive single options can also be linked with OR. The OR linking only requires the fulfilment of one condition in order to enable visibility or access, unless other restrictive single options prevent this.

All restrictions are also automatically valid for all subordinate course elements.

Note about hiding access restrictions

If a course element is visible, but there are

  • current or future access restrictions or
  • restricted rights for the course element,

the user will be informed accordingly when accessing the course element. This information helps the user to learn more about the functions available, e.g. which functions will be available at what time and under what conditions.

If required, however, you can hide this information text (from the user) for each course element individually.

Notification message about existing access and authorisation restrictions in the course view:

Course element with notification message about authorisation restrictions

1

To hide this message, open the course editor and switch to the Visibility tab of the respective course element.

In the section Information if course node is visible but not accessible (max. 248 characters), remove the check mark in front of the entry Show access restrictions below the text field.

Publish your changes.

Course editor setting to hide notification message

2

The note will no longer be visible in the course view.

Course element without notification message about authorisation restrictions


For individual course element types, there are further attributes which can be used to regulate access to editing rights for course participants.

The following editing rights can be restricted or extended using the general configuration attributes (depending on date, group, etc.):

Task
  • Assignment
  • Edit task folder  
  • Drop box - Delete own solutions
  • Drop box  
  • Return box
  • Assessment
  • Sample solution
Blog
  • Read  
  • Read and write
  • Moderate
File Dialogue
  • Only file download / read in the forum  
  • File up- and download/ read and write in the forum
  • Edit or delete files / Moderate in the forum
Forum
  • Read  
  • Read and write
  • Moderate
Calendar
  • Read  
  • Add and edit dates
Link List
  • Display  
  • Display and add
  • Display, edit, and delete
Bibliography
  • Display  
  • Display and edit
Messages
  • Read
  • Write
  • Manage
Folder
  • Download
  • Upload
  • Delete
Podcast
  • Read  
  • Read and write
  • Moderate
Page
  • Display  
  • Display and edit
Profile
  • Display
  • Add
Test

Configurable in the tab Visibility :

  • Conduct test
  • View assessment
  • View results
Wiki
  • Read  
  • Add and edit articles

Access
Sub-elements

In this tab, you can activate several sub-elements for the task element. If you do not make any changes, all sub-elements will be active. If you deselect one or two sub-elements, the corresponding tabs will be greyed out and disabled. You cannot make any settings for deselected elements, and the elements will not be available to the course participants.  

The following sub-elements are available:

  • Assignment : You can use this element to provide users with task files, thus defining the type of the assignment.
  • Drop box: This element integrates an individual drop box for each user. This folder makes it possible to collect and view user solutions. You will only need this element if you want your course participants to submit documents with their solution to the task.
  • Return box: This element integrates an individual return box for each user. This folder allows you to return documents to each user individually and to store, for example, corrections to user-specific task solutions or detailed assessment documents. You will only need this element if you want to return documents to your course participants.
  • Assessment : This element allows for the assessment of users. You will need this element only if you want to assess your course participants.
  • Sample solution: This element integrates a sample solution folder that can be viewed by all users of the course. You will only need this element if you want to provide example documents to your course participants .

  You can flexibly combine the different sub-elements to depict various scenarios.

Practical tip

As explained in the section on the tab Access, you can also configure access to each of the individual elements using various attributes. You can, for example, assess the solutions of the course participants step-by-step and store documents with corrections or provide assessments to all users simultaneously at a selected date or for a selected time period.

(Assignment, handing in, sample solution, assessment)Depending on the selection of elements in the tab Sub-e lements, the following configuration tabs will be active or inactive. Using these configuration tabs, you can make further settings for each active element. The individual configuration tabs will be explained in detail in the following  section Special configuration settings.
MultilingualismIn this tab, different translations can be added to individual course element areas.

Configuration settings in the tab assignment

In the tab Assignment, you can store tasks in the task folder and specify the Type of assignment and sampling of these tasks to the participating users.

Transfer tasksClick on the button Open task folder. The task folder opens in a new window. Create new task files or upload existing files.

The following options are available for configuring the selection:

Message for users:You can have a message displayed to users in the area Assign task.
Type of assignment:
  • Selection of task by user: The user will see a list of all available tasks from which they can select any desired task by simply clicking on it.
  • Automatic task assignment: The system automatically assigns an available task to the user upon opening the course element.
Preview
  • Yes, this task can be looked at before its assignment: If the user clicks on the title of the task file, it will be automatically downloaded and can be viewed immediately. However, the task has not yet been selected.
  • No, immediate task selection by means of a title: The user cannot view the content of the task files prior to their selection. They will only see the file titles.
Type of sampling
  • Your task will be assigned to more than one user: Multiple users can select or be assigned to the same task file.
  • Your task will be assigned to only one single user: Each task can only be assigned once. If you select this option, you need to make sure that there is at least one task file per participant.
The task element is designed to support automated task distribution. However, if you intend to make a very specific task assignment, i.e. if you want to assign a specific task to one or more selected course participants, this will only be possible with some limitations.

  • Variant A: Name the task files in such a way so that each user will immediately recognise their task or inform users, for example, in the description box about their tasks. Select the option Selection of task by user as well as the preview option No, immediate task selection by means of a title. The advantage of this variant lies in its clarity: There is still only one course element Task where all adjustments or additions are performed.

  • Variant B: Create a single course element for each task. Configure the visibility of these course elements so that only the relevant user(s) who are supposed to receive the respective task can see it. Therefore, only one task element will appear for the course users, while you can see multiple elements and control the task assignment by providing the corresponding tasks in the respective task folders. The advantage of this variant lies in the clear assessment. All users who have solved the same task appear in a course element.

Settings in the course editor tab assignment

  • Configuration settings in the tab handing in

Trainees are only allowed to upload documents

If you enable this option, the creation of new documents in the drop box of the course element is prohibited. Users can therefore only upload documents from their computer to the drop box. If this option is activated, the user will also receive a confirmation email upon successful file submission.  

The right to delete documents from the drop box can be set in the tab Access under "Drop box - Delete own solutions".

Settings in the course editor tab handing in

Send hand in confirmation via email

Activate this option to send the user an automatic email confirming the successful submission of their solution.

Text after handing in: This text field opens with the activation of the send hand in confirmation option. If necessary, adjust the mail text. Confirm your settings with Save.

In the tab Access, you can additionally specify whether or not and under what conditions learners are allowed to delete solutions. If learners are allowed to delete solutions, they can edit already submitted solutions and upload them again.

  • Configuration settings in the tab sample solution

In this area, you can provide sample solutions to your course participants. Click on the button Open sample solution folder. The folder with the same name opens. Create new task files or upload existing files.

  • Configuration settings in the tab assessment

In the tab Assessment, you can make various settings for the later assessment using the assessment tool. Specify whether score, mark, and passed status will be available for assessing submitted solutions. Further information is provided in the section Assessment.

For the course element Task, it is also possible to enable peer assessment. This form of assessment allows the learners to assess each other anonymously, which leads to the overall assessment of all solutions submitted. For a detailed description of all options available, refer to the section Peer review.

The assessment of learners is only possible in combination with a learning group, i.e. all participants must be enrolled (automatically or manually) in a learning group of the course.

Publish your course to complete the configuration and to make the resource available to participants.

In the course view

In the course of a course element Task, the following additional editing options will be available to you as a course supervisor:

Task management - Provide tasks

Both the Create and Upload button in the area Task management allow anyone with the right to edit the task folder to create new task files or to upload existing files to the task area.

Create: This function allows you to create new HTML files and store them as a task. After selecting this function, the Text editor opens.

Upload: By using this function button, you open a new window which allows you to upload one or more files to the task folder.

Delete tasks

Please note that already selected tasks cannot be deleted. Selected tasks are highlighted in blue and provided with a corresponding note. The options for deleting these files are disabled.

Course view task management

Task management - Assignment overview

The assessment tool provides an overview of the tasks that have been assigned to each participant.

  1. Click on the assessment tool button in the top course navigation (circle with a tick inside).

Switch to the assessment tool


2. Select for example the entry As per course structure from the menu on the left. This opens an overview of all assessable course elements contained in the course.


 Select participants

4. An overview of the group participants opens, which also displays the file names of the tasks in the column Assigned task.


View participants and assigned tasks
5. Click on a user name to open the detailed view of the user's assessment. The assigned task file will be visible again in the upper portion and can be opened if necessary.
Detailed view of assessment




Submitted solutions - View and assess task solutions

This area contains a text note on already available task solutions from course participants. To view the solutions, switch to the assessment tool.

1

Select the button for the assessment tool from the course navigation.

Switch to the assessment tool
 2In the menu on the left, select the entry As per course structure.

Then click on the relevant learning group next to the desired course element Task.

It opens a table with all available group participants.

Selection in the assessment tool
3 In the column Number of files, you can see which users have already stored files in the drop box.

Click on the name of one of these users.

Select a user
 4It opens the page Detailed view of assessment, which contains the user's data for the task as well as their assessment form.

In the area Drop box, you can view all documents the user has submitted to the selected task element. Click on the file title to start the download of the selected file.

Documents in the drop box of a user
5

To assess the solution, scroll down the page to the assessment form.

In this form, you can fill out the assessment options that you have previously configured in the tab Assessment in the course editor. You can, for example, assign points, mark the element as passed or failed, as well as leave a comment for the learner or other tutors. Save your assessment.

Assessment form of a user

The assessment tool also provides various bulk actions. These actions can, for example, be used to download all tasks and submitted solutions. For more information, refer to the section Assessment tool.

Provide sample solution

Both the Create and Upload button in the area Sample solution allow anyone with the right to edit the sample solution folder to create new sample solution files or upload existing files to the area.

  • Create: This function allows you to create new HTML files and store them as a sample solution. After selecting this function, the Text editor opens.
  • Upload: By using this function button, you open a new window which allows you to upload one or more files to the area Sample solution.

It is also possible to suggest good user solutions for publication as a sample solution via the Assessment tool. The user will then receive appropriate information and only needs to agree to the publication. If the user gives their consent, the solution will then be available for all users in the area Sample solution.

Cancel task

If a user has already selected a task or was assigned one, you can still undo this action.

1

Switch to the Assessment tool. Select the button for the assessment tool from the course navigation.


2

In the menu on the left, select the entry As per course structure.

Then click on the entry Select participant next to the desired course element Task.

Click on the corresponding group name and select the respective user from the participant list.

Switch to the assessment toolSelection in the assessment tool
3

The user's Assessment form for the selected task opens.

In the section Assignment, you will find the button Cancel task right next to the file title of the selected task. Click the button and confirm the cancellation request with Yes.

The assignment will be cancelled, and the user can be assigned or select a new task according to the configuration of the assignment.

Cancel task
Returned documents - Return documents to individual users

Using the assessment tool, you can return documents to an individual course participant.

1

Switch to the Assessment tool. Select the button for the assessment tool from the course navigation.

Switch to the assessment tool
2

In the menu on the left, select the entry As per course structure.

Then click on the entry Select participant next to the desired course element Task.

Click on the corresponding group name and select the respective user from the participant list.

Overview assessment tool
3

The user's Assessment form for the selected task opens.

In the section Return box, you can create new or upload existing documents. The documents provided in this area are only visible to the selected user.

Return box of a user

As a course supervisor, you can assign extended rights for a course element's additional editing functions to individual or even all course users. These rights can be configured in the tab Access. Further information can be found in the section General configuration settings on this page.