Packback is Upgrading!
This year we have started to see an increase in LTI tools that are ready to move from version 1.1 to 1.3, so what does this mean exactly? Generally, when LTI tools upgrade to 1.3 there are a myriad of feature improvements including quality of life improvements and feature enhancements. One of the tools that we have been excited to move over is Packback! Although it is only an improvement of one feature so far, it’s a big one!
Grade Sync Improvements!
Where We Were in Version 1.1
Traditionally, gradebook synchronization required professors to roll up their sleeves. They needed to connect their Canvas course shell to their Packback community, enable gradebook sync, and then embark on a process of creating individual Canvas assignments for each Packback deadline. But that's not all; professors also had to manually link these Canvas assignments to the corresponding Packback deadlines. While this method offers flexibility, it does demand a fair amount of time and effort, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. Furthermore, students were required to actively click on each assignment link to ensure proper score synchronization.
Where We Are Going to Version 1.3
In contrast, there is now an automated approach coming at the beginning of Spring 2024! Professors still need to connect their Canvas course shell to Packback and activate grade book sync, but here's the catch: no proactive Canvas assignment creation is necessary. After a Packback deadline concludes, the platform takes the initiative to create the assignment and seamlessly pushes the scores into the Canvas grade book. What's more, students no longer need to "click each link" to ensure synchronization, which will significantly boost the success rate for score syncing. This approach is specifically designed for Gradebook Sync for Deep Dives, an assignment-based writing feature within Packback to help support our students with their Writing Assistant.
We are Upgrading at the Beginning of Spring 2024
That's absolutely right! An exciting update is on the horizon and it is close, but there's an important detail to keep in mind; we won't be able to implement this upgrade until towards the end of the fall term. Rest assured, your current Packback version is still fully operational and available for use. The new and improved Packback version has been meticulously prepared to enhance your Spring courses and beyond. As you build your courses for Spring, you’ll need to switch from the 1.1 version of the tool to the 1.3 version. To do that, you will need to move the old course out of your course navigation menu and add the new one. You can make that simple switch by making sure you have the tool titled New Packback instead of just the tool titled Packback in your course menu when creating your Spring courses. (At the end of the Fall term when the upgrade is complete, the tool will be listed as its standard name again.) This change is part of our commitment to providing you with the best possible learning experience, and we can't wait for you to explore all the exciting features it has to offer in your upcoming Spring courses.
Thanks for your attention! Questions about this or any other facet of Canvas? Please email EdTech@fscj.edu.