Mastering WebAssign for Online Learning

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Benefits of integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace
   1. Seamless integration
   2. Easy course sharing
   3. Customizable content
   4. Direct access to assignments and eBook
   5. Grades integration
3. Recent change in WebAssign
   1. Automatic zeros for not downloaded and not submitted
4. Considerations before integrating your WebAssign course
   1. Linking to an existing course
   2. Parent/child section management
   3. Edition upgrade tool
   4. Copying another instructor's course
   5. Inclusive Access
5. Live demo: Integrating WebAssign into D2L Brightspace
6. Student registration instructions
7. Training and support resources
8. Cengage Unlimited and other options
9. Conclusion

Integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace for Optimal Learning

In today's digital age, integrating online learning platforms has become increasingly important. This article explores the benefits of integrating WebAssign, a popular web-Based instructional system, into D2L Brightspace, a widely used learning management system (LMS). By seamlessly integrating these two platforms, educators can enhance the learning experience for their students and streamline their instructional processes.

Introduction

As online learning continues to gain popularity, educators are constantly seeking ways to optimize their instructional practices and enhance student engagement. One effective way to achieve this is by integrating WebAssign, an advanced online instructional system, with D2L Brightspace, a comprehensive learning management system. This integration allows educators to seamlessly incorporate WebAssign content and assignments into their D2L courses, providing students with a Cohesive and streamlined learning experience.

Benefits of integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace

1. Seamless integration: The integration between WebAssign and D2L Brightspace is designed to be seamless and user-friendly. Educators can easily set up and share their WebAssign courses within their D2L courses, eliminating the need for complex LMS admin involvement.

2. Easy course sharing: With the WebAssign-D2L integration, educators can effortlessly share their courses with colleagues who also use D2L. This feature promotes collaboration and enables educators to leverage each other's resources and expertise.

3. Customizable content: Integrating WebAssign into D2L allows educators to select and customize the content they want to include in their courses. They can choose specific assignments, schedule and update them at any time, and provide direct links for easy student access.

4. Direct access to assignments and eBook: By integrating WebAssign and D2L, educators can provide students with direct links to assignments within the D2L course shell. This ensures that students can easily access Relevant assignments and submit their work. Additionally, educators can provide direct links for students to access the full eBook, enhancing their access to course materials.

5. Grades integration: One of the key benefits of integrating WebAssign and D2L is the automatic syncing of grades. When assignments are completed in WebAssign, the grades seamlessly integrate into the D2L gradebook, saving educators time and effort in manually transferring grades.

Recent change in WebAssign

WebAssign recently introduced a significant change that simplifies grade management. Previously, instructors had to manually enter zeros for students who did not download or submit assignments (ND and NS notations). With the new update, WebAssign now offers a "Send Scores to LMS" button in the score view. Clicking this button automatically sends zeros to D2L Brightspace for all students with ND and NS scores. This change eliminates the need for manual score entry and ensures a smoother grading process.

Considerations before integrating your WebAssign course

Before integrating your WebAssign course into D2L Brightspace, there are several important considerations:

1. Linking to an existing course: If You already have a WebAssign course built in your WebAssign account, you have the option to link it to your D2L course. However, ensure that the WebAssign course is empty, with no students rostered. This allows for a clean integration without any conflicts.

2. Parent/child section management: For schools using parent/child section management, creating parent/child WebAssign courses is necessary before integration. Once the parent/child courses are set up, choose the "Link to my existing course" option when integrating with D2L.

3. Edition upgrade tool: If you are transitioning to a new edition of the textbook, WebAssign offers an edition upgrade tool that allows you to upgrade a previous course into the new edition. Use this tool in WebAssign before linking the course to D2L.

4. Copying another instructor's course: If another instructor allows you to copy their WebAssign course or vice versa, ensure that the assignments are copied in WebAssign first. This allows for full editing capabilities. Copying directly in D2L may limit the editing options and functionalities.

5. Inclusive Access: If your course is part of an Inclusive Access program, where students purchase course materials through a course fee or tuition, ensure that the WebAssign license Type displays "Inclusive Access" instead of "Student Purchase Required." This ensures that students are directed to the correct materials and pricing options.

Live demo: Integrating WebAssign into D2L Brightspace

To demonstrate the integration process, we will walk you through the steps of integrating a WebAssign course into a D2L Brightspace shell. Please note that the specific instructions may vary depending on your institution's setup.

1. Access the Course Admin section in D2L Brightspace and navigate to the Course Builder.

2. Create a module within your course for WebAssign integration. Customize the module name to make it intuitive for your students.

3. Drag the Cengage tool icon into the module. If you don't see the Cengage tool available, contact your account executive to make it accessible.

4. Select the Cengage tool and proceed with the integration process. Choose the "Add Homework platform" option to integrate WebAssign.

5. Use the Content Selector to search for your textbook and link it to your course. Ensure that the license type reflects "Inclusive Access" if applicable.

6. Choose the course creation option that suits your needs: create a new course, copy an existing course, or link to an existing course. Consider the specific requirements and functionalities of each option.

7. Customize the course details, including the start date, end date, and time zone. Ensure that your selections Align with your academic calendar and any trial periods offered.

8. Verify that the course has been successfully created and check the course content to ensure it is correctly integrated. Customize the names of links as desired to provide clear directions to students.

9. Add assignments to your module by creating a new module specifically for assignments or adding them within existing modules. Use the Cengage tool to select and add assignments from your WebAssign course.

10. Review the integration in the D2L Brightspace gradebook to ensure that grades from WebAssign assignments are automatically Synced and displayed accurately.

Student registration instructions

To assist your students with the registration process, provide them with clear instructions on how to access WebAssign through D2L Brightspace. Include any relevant links, login credentials, and steps they need to follow to enroll in the WebAssign course. You can find detailed student registration instructions on the Start Strong Website provided by Cengage. Make sure to adapt the instructions based on your specific integration and course settings.

Training and support resources

Cengage provides a range of training and support resources to assist educators with integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace. These resources include training videos, user guides, support websites, and access to the All Access community. Educators can access the WebAssign training website, the Cengage training website, and the support website for any technical issues or questions.

Cengage Unlimited and other options

Cengage offers various options for educators and students, including Cengage Unlimited, Cengage Unlimited for institutions, Inclusive Access, and standalone purchases. If you are unsure about the best option for you and your students, consult with your Cengage representative. They can provide guidance on the available options and help you choose the most suitable solution.

Conclusion

Integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace is an excellent way to leverage the strengths of both platforms and enhance the online learning experience. By seamlessly integrating WebAssign assignments and content into the D2L course shell, educators can streamline their instructional processes, improve student access to learning materials, and simplify the grading process. With the support of comprehensive training and resources, educators can confidently implement this integration and unlock the full potential of their online courses.

Highlights:

• Seamlessly integrate WebAssign and D2L Brightspace for a streamlined learning experience.
• Customize content and assignments to meet your specific instructional needs.
• Benefit from automatic grade syncing and easy access to course materials.
• Consider important factors such as existing courses, edition upgrades, and Inclusive Access before integrating.
• Follow the step-by-step guide for a live demonstration of WebAssign integration into D2L Brightspace.
• Provide clear instructions to students for WebAssign registration through D2L.
• Access extensive training and support resources offered by Cengage.
• Explore various options, including Cengage Unlimited, for enhanced learning experiences.
• Embrace the benefits of integrating WebAssign and D2L Brightspace to optimize online education.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use release conditions with WebAssign assignments integrated into D2L Brightspace?

A: Yes, you can use release conditions with WebAssign assignments in D2L Brightspace. You can set up conditional releases to ensure that students must complete certain assignments or meet specific criteria before accessing subsequent assignments. This feature allows for a structured progression through the course content.

Q: Can I edit the start date of a WebAssign course integrated into D2L Brightspace?

A: Yes, you can edit the start date of a WebAssign course integrated into D2L Brightspace. Simply navigate to the "Edit Class Settings" within WebAssign and adjust the dates accordingly. This flexibility allows for modifications in case of any scheduling changes or corrections.

Q: What should I do if my WebAssign course is part of the Inclusive Access program?

A: If your WebAssign course is part of the Inclusive Access program, ensure that the WebAssign license type reflects "Inclusive Access" instead of "Student Purchase Required." This distinction ensures that students who have purchased their course materials through the program receive the appropriate access and pricing options.

Q: How can I access additional training and support resources for WebAssign integration?

A: Cengage provides a range of training and support resources for WebAssign integration. Visit the WebAssign training website, the Cengage training website, and the support website for technical assistance and comprehensive user guides. For further collaboration and knowledge-sharing, you can join the All Access community by signing in with your Cengage credentials.

Q: Can I customize the gradebook integration between WebAssign and D2L Brightspace?

A: While the initial integration of grades between WebAssign and D2L Brightspace is automatic, you have the flexibility to customize and organize the gradebook according to your preferences. You can assign categories, modify names, and adjust points to better align with your assessment and grading system.