Assignments – Update to assignment annotations software version | New

With this release, the software that powers annotations in the Assignments tool is updated to the latest version, Nutrient 1.0.0 (formerly called PSPDFKit).

This version update resolves the following defects:

• WCAG/A11y layout issues in the Layout tool are now resolved. Previously, the options were not read by the NVDA screen reader.
• Cursor behavior now works as expected. Previously, the cursor would return to the start when typing notes in Assignment Annotations.
• All formatted annotation text in text boxes now saves correctly. Previously, italicized and bold text elements would not save.
• The annotations software no longer crashes on iPad OS versions 16 and below.

Additionally, minor UI updates are introduced in Nutrient 1.0.0. In the previous version of PSPDFKit, the following buttons displayed tooltips when hovering with a cursor:

• Next Page
• Previous Page
• Page Mode buttons
• Page Transition buttons
• Page Rotation buttons

The previous version also highlighted the Search button when clicked.

Now, in Nutrient 1.0.0, the buttons tooltips are removed, and the Search button no longer highlights when selected.

Figure: In the previous version of the UI, annotations buttons appeared with a tooltip. In the updated version, the tooltip is removed.

Figure: In the previous version of Annotations, the Search bar appeared highlighted when clicked. Highlighting is no longer visible in the updated version.

 

Assignments and Discussions – Bulk feedback for instructors | New (Activation date: April 28th, 2025)

This feature enables instructors to provide bulk feedback to learners directly within the Assignments and Discussions submission pages, enhancing efficiency and user experience.

Key capabilities:

• Add and save bulk feedback as a draft if none exists.
• Update existing drafts or published evaluations for multiple learners simultaneously.
• Apply feedback to selected learners using Add Feedback or to all learners using Add Feedback to All.
• Display a warning message when saving an empty Feedback dialog as bulk feedback, as this action overwrites existing drafts or published evaluations.

 

File Attachments with Bulk Feedback

When using bulk feedback in Assignments or Discussions:

• Brightspace Editor includes the Insert Stuff functionality but does not support file uploads from My Computer. Instructors can insert links to YouTube videos or other external resources. These links are stored in Manage Files.
• Insert Image supports image file uploads from My Computer and the system stores them in Manage Files.

This feature implements the following PIE items:

• D10673 (Bulk Edit Discussion / Dropbox Feedback)
• D4921 (Bulk grading & Feedback in Dropbox / Assignments)
• D6429 (Bulk feedback upload for non-submitted assignments)
• D6739 (Assignment Bulk Edit Features)

Figure: The Submissions page in Assignments displays options to add bulk feedback, including Add Feedback to All and Add Feedback (for selected learners).

Figure: The Assess Topic page in Discussions displays options to add bulk feedback, including Add Feedback to All and Add Feedback (for selected learners).

Figure: On the Assess Topic page in Discussions, select learners to add feedback, then click Add Feedback.

Figure: On the Assess Topic page in Discussions, after selecting learners and clicking Add Feedback, the Add Feedback dialog box opens, allowing feedback entry.

Technical Details

Impact:

• Slight impact to administrators as they can control whether instructors can submit bulk feedback in Assignments and Discussions submission pages.
• Slight impact to instructors due to the ability to submit bulk feedback in Assignments and Discussions submission pages.

 

Grades – Access Quiz Feedback | New

This new feature allows learners to quickly access quiz attempt feedback from the Grades page.

Figure: On the Grades page, click View Quiz Attempts to access feedback on quiz attempts.

Previously, learners could view quiz attempt feedback only in the Quizzes tool, depending on how the instructor configured the review process. This option remains available.

Figure: Before, learners could access quiz attempt feedback only through the Quizzes tool on the Quiz List page.

This feature implements the following PIE items:

• D5170 (Learner Access Quiz feedback via Grades)

 

Quizzes – New Quiz Evaluation Experience transitioning to default, with opt-out until July 2025 | Updated

Originally released for the Quizzes tool in September 2024 / 20.24.9, this update now turns on the new Quiz Evaluation Experience by default for all clients, promoting broader adoption while still allowing users to opt out until July 2025, at which time it will be made the default experience for all users.

This update streamlines the transition to the new Quiz Evaluation Experience, enhancing grading workflows and ensuring consistency while allowing clients to adjust settings before the opt-out option is removed. Administrators can continue to offer users the choice to manually opt into the new Quiz Evaluation Experience through the June 2025/20.25.06 release. However, starting with the July 2025/20.25.07 release, all clients will be automatically transitioned to the new experience, and the opt-out option will no longer be available.

Figure: The new quiz evaluation experience is enabled by default on the quiz evaluation page. Click Turn it off to revert to the classic experience or Leave it on to continue using the new experience.

Previously, administrators or instructors had to manually enable the new Quiz Evaluation Experience as an opt-in feature.

Figure: On the quiz evaluation page, users could select Turn it on to enable the new quiz evaluation experience or Leave it off to continue using the classic version.