Overview
In this release, we have introduced several enhancements to branding, data filtering, and reporting accuracy:
- Website Branding: Upload institutional logos and select header colors (White or Charcoal) for self-study websites with real-time previews.
- LMS Filtering: Filter integration results by Attending Status (e.g., Full-time or Part-time) across Canvas, D2L, and Blackboard.
- Blackboard Accuracy: Align and report on assessment data from cross-listed courses, including parent and child course mapping.
- Market Insights: Access new data for Certificates and Short-Term Programs within the Degree Completion dashboard for deeper competitive analysis.
Personalize Self-Study Websites with Institutional Logos
This release introduces the new feature allowing for the addition of institutional logos and custom header colors to self-study websites. This new tool can be used to ensure that websites align with institutional branding and maintain a professional appearance across all digital and offline formats.
Institutional Logo Integration
- Logo Upload: The interface now supports logo uploads during the creation or editing of a self-study website.
- Prominent Placement: The logo appears in the top-left corner of the website for immediate brand recognition.
- Flexible Branding: The system accepts main institution logos or specific department and division marks.
Header Customization
- Color Selection: Users can choose between a White or Charcoal header background to complement the uploaded logo.
- Dynamic Readability: The website title automatically adjusts its contrast based on the chosen header color to ensure accessibility and legibility.
Real-Time Design Preview
A live preview window displays changes to the logo and header color instantly. This allows for visual verification of branding choices before the site is published.
Logo Management and Portability
- Updates and Removal: Users can change or remove logos at any time through the management interface.
- Direct Download: The platform allows for the download of previously uploaded logos directly from the website management page.
- Cross-Platform Consistency: Chosen branding persists in both the live online view and any downloaded offline versions of the self-study website.
Filtering Integration Results by Attending Status
Users can now refine advanced integration results using the Attending Status attribute. This enhancement is available for the following Advanced LMS Integrations:
- Canvas
- D2L/Brightspace
- Blackboard
The new filter pulls valid status values- such as Full Time or Part-Time directly from the student term attributes configured in System Administration.
Key Capabilities
- Multi-Select Filtering: Select one or more status values to refine the data set.
- Comparison Charts: Use attending status selections to generate side-by-side analysis of different student groups.
- Filter Reset: Use the Clear or Reset option to remove selections and return to the default view.
Data Behavior and Logic
The filter applies specific logic to the integration results based on the selections made:
- No Filter Applied: Results remain unchanged. The system displays the default data set.
- Single Selection: Displays only records matching the specific student term attribute selected.
- Multi-Selection: Uses OR logic to include records matching any of the chosen status values.
Improved Data Accuracy for Cross-Listed Courses
The Planning & Self-Study platform now provides seamless support for institutions utilizing cross-listed course structures in Blackboard. These improvements ensure that relevant course activities and assessment data remain accurate for reporting on learning outcomes.
Functional Overview
- Activity Selection: All activities from cross-listed courses aligned to a selected term are available when adding or editing measure alignments.
- Assessment Planning: Results from these aligned activities can be pulled directly into an Assessment Plan.
- Mapping Options: Users can map either the child courses or the parent course in Blackboard to the corresponding course section in System Administration.
Key Integration Requirements
Integration Type: Data fetching is only available for Advanced Blackboard integrations.
Automated Updates: Data for current or continuous terms updates automatically via a scheduled job every two weeks.
Manual Synchronization: Data for past or future terms requires a manual sync triggered by the support team.
Expanded Award-Level Coverage in Degree Completion Insights
The Competitive Landscape and Labor Market Insights page (accessed via View Insights in a Program Review) now includes a broader range of academic credentials. This update ensures that shorter-term programs are represented alongside traditional degrees.
New Data Categories
In addition to the existing award levels (Bachelor’s, Associate’s, Master’s, and Doctoral), the insights now include the following categories:
- Certificates: Validated credentials for completed programs of study.
Short-Term Programs: Programs that award at least one but less than two academic years of credit.
Strategic Value of Expanded Insights
The inclusion of these categories provides a more complete view of an institution's program mix and competitive standing:
- Credential Diversity: Identifies how certificates and sub-two-year programs contribute to total completions and institutional growth.
- Market Share Analysis: Offers a detailed look at market share compared to traditional degree programs.
- Nuanced Competition: Supports competitive analysis for institutions that rely heavily on certificates and shorter-term programs in their academic portfolios.