The Template tab is used to create, edit, and view templates associated with a tier. A template is a customizable, interactive document that defines the requirements of a submission. A template acts as a container, providing a single document in which a submitter can enter text and images, respond to questions and tasks, attach files, and create links to their Timeline or portfolio. It also includes any rubrics that will be used for assessment or grading. To be submitted and/or assessed, templates are included in activities.
Every template has a specific type of workflow. The workflow type defines how and by whom the template will be submitted and assessed.
Workflow types include:
1. Standard Workflow – Students complete and submit a template and the template is assessed by an instructor.
2. Peer Review Workflow – Students complete and submit a template. The template is then randomly assigned for assessment to another student. After peer assessment, the template is assessed by an instructor.
3. Assisted Assessment Workflow – Students complete and submit a template. The template is then assessed by a third party assessor or coordinator. After coordinator assessment, the template is assessed by an instructor.
4. Form Submission Workflow – Students complete and submit a template. The assessment step is skipped, and the data from the student submission is available for reporting. (forms, surveys, etc.)
5. Observational Assessment Workflow – The submission step is skipped, and the template is assessed by an instructor. (oral presentations, dispositions, etc.)
6. Internship Workflow - Students complete and submit a template. The template is then assessed by the student's assigned mentor(s) and/or supervisor(s)
7. Internship Form Workflow - Students complete and submit a template. The assessment step is skipped, and the data from the student submission is available for reporting. (NOTE: a student's assigned mentor(s) and supervisor(s) can view activities created with the "Internship Form workflow," but not activities created with the "Form Submission" workflow).
8. Internship Observational Workflow - The submission step is skipped, and the template is assessed by the student's assigned mentor(s) and/or supervisor(s)
9. Group Homepage Workflow – This special template type is not used for submission or assessment. Rather, it is intended to provide information and resources about a course section to all of the section’s members. Unlike the other types of templates, the Homepage template is tied directly to a course.
To create a Template:
1. Click the Hierarchy button located at the top of the page.
2. On the right side of the page, click the Template tab.
3. Highlight the tier in which the template will be added. To highlight the tier, click on it.
4. Click the Create Template button.
5. Select Activity as the Template Type
6. Enter a Template Name
7. Choose a Workflow for your template
The Template Page
The process of building a template takes place on the template page. The template page is divided into four main sections: the banner menu area, the component area, the page layout area, and the assessment panel.
The Banner Menu
The banner menu has four tabs, each of which effects the template as a whole.
- The Add Content tab: This tab provides tools for the construction of a template.
- The Choose Theme tab: This tab allows the template’s look to be changed using themes.
- The Settings tab: This tab provides settings for changing visibility to members, and converting the template to a showcase.
- The Preview tab: This tab displays the template as it will appear to submitters.
The Component Area
The component area provides several different tools, or components, that can be added to the content area of a template. Each component has different capabilities.
Resource Components:
Resource components are tools for giving or displaying resources to submitters of the template. Submitters cannot edit or delete these components.
- Title: Text box with large type
- Text: Text box with small type
- Multimedia: Include an image or embedded YouTube video
- Attachment: Include external files for download
Input Components:
Input components are tools provided to submitters for putting their own content into the template.
- Text Area: Text box in which submitters can type
- Attachment: Provides the ability to attach external files
- Rich: Text box in which submitters can type, insert images or web links, and use formatting tools such as text alignment and color
- YouTube: URL (web address) text field for submitters to include a video from YouTube into an embedded player
Question Components:
Question components allow the template to ask questions of the submitter, and provide various methods for selecting answers.
- Radio Button: Submitters answer a multiple choice question by selecting a circular button next to the answer. Submitters must choose only one answer.
- Dropdown: Submitters answer a multiple choice question by selecting the answer from a dropdown menu. Submitters must choose only one answer.
- Checkbox: Submitters answer a multiple choice question by selecting a checkbox next to an answer. Submitters can choose more than one answer.
Reference Components:
Reference components allow submitters to include information contained within their SL&L accounts.
- Portfolio Reference: Inserts an event from from the submitter’s portfolio
- Gallery: Inserts an entry from the submitter’s Timeline, and presents the entry as a “card.”
- Timeline: Inserts an entry from the submitter’s Timeline, and presents the entry with a date stamp.
- My Info: Inserts a pre-made widget containing a submitter’s SL&L information, such as name, gender, and email address, as well as the submitter’s avatar picture.
Assessment Components:
Assessment components provide tools for completing an assessment. Although assessment is typically performed ON a student, BY an instructor, these components can optionally be assigned to any role in a section.
- Scoring: Provides a scoring box, with a max number of points assigned.
- Rubric: Adds a rubric from the rubric list (rubrics are listed on the Rubrics tab of the instructor’s landing page)
The Content Area
The content area of the template page consists of page sections, which can be added and deleted to control the look of the template. Then, components are added to the sections. Sections can be added in several pre-made layouts.
To add template sections:
1. Click on a section below which new sections will be added. A selected section will have a blue outline around it.
2. Click on the blue add sections button.
3. Click on a new section layout to add sections.
To delete template sections:
1. Click on a section to be deleted.
2. Click the delete section button (trash can icon).
To add components to a template section:
1. Click a section to which a component will be added.
2. Click on the component to be added.
3. If necessary, complete the component details popup, such as giving the component a label or whether or not it is
optional, and click the popup’s Save button.
To delete a component from a template section:
1. Hover over the component to be deleted.
2. Click the delete button (trash can icon).
3. In the Are you sure? popup, click Delete.
To move a component to a different location:
1. Hover over the component to be moved.
2. Click and hold on the move button (crosshair icon).
3. While holding, drag the component to the new location.
The Assessment Panel
The assessment panel area of the template page provides space for adding a rubric, scoring box, and feedback text box to a template. Like the Scoring and Rubric components, placing these items in the assessment panel area establishes a visual separation between submitted work and assessment tools during the assessment process.
To add rubrics, a scoring box, or feedback box to the assessment panel:
1. In the assessment panel area, click the add item button (plus icon).
2. Click Rubric, Scoring, or Feedback from the menu.
3. Complete the item details popup, and click the popup’s Save button.
Saving a Completed Template
While building a template, SL&L automatically saves progress once every minute. However, the template can be saved at any time by clicking the SAVE button on the template page.
To edit an existing template:
1. Click the “Hierarchy” button located at the top of the page.
2. On the right side of the page, click the Template tab.
3. Highlight the tier in which the template is located. To highlight the tier, click on it.
4. In the template list, click the title of the template that will be edited.
5. Edit the template.
6. Click the Save button.
NOTE: If you make changes to a template in your Hierarchy, those changes will not be seen in any existing activities that use the template. You would either need to recreate the activities to see the changes, or follow these steps to edit the template for each existing activity:
1. Go to the Hierarchy node that contains the course
2. Click on the course
3. Click the gear icon to the right of the section
4. Click on the title of the activity
5. Click the "more options" button (three dots)
6. Click "Edit Activity"
7. Click "Edit" in the popup window
8. Make any necessary changes to the template and click "Save."
