This article describes the following:

  • Overview of a Readiness Reading
  • How to Add a Readiness Reading
  • How to Build and Modify a Readiness Reading

These are assignments that give students an opportunity to learn foundational facts, vocabulary, and concepts before class. Each section of the reading is paired with interactive questions that make sure students have grasped the main concepts before moving on. Use ours (available in "Introducing the Life Sciences" as of Fall '23) or build your own.



Student View of a Readiness Reading


You can view this by clicking "Go to Student View" on the instructor application.


How to Add a Readiness Reading


1. Go to course planner and select a topic from the menu to assign for a particular class day. See "Course Planning and Learning Objective Selection" for more details.



2. Go to that particular class day on the "Daily Planner" page and "Add" the associated Learning Objectives for the topic you previously chose on the course planner. 



3. The "Assessment Builder" will open on the "Details" tab of the breadcrumb path:

  • Type in the name of the assignment or leave the automatic name that is displayed.
  • Select the class days covered by the assignment.
  • Type in detailed instructions and select a grading policy.
  • Type in the date open and due date.
  • Click "Save and Continue" to save these details.




4. Click the "Add Items" tab in the breadcrumb path. We will automatically add any reading associated with the Learning Objectives (LOs) on the class days covered. For example, graphic above has "Class 3" selected for "Class Days Covered," which pulls up the LOs associated with that day.

  • Click on each item to preview the reading and associated questions.
  • You can remove any particular section of the readings if you'd like.


 



5. Click the "Due Date Accommodations" tab in the breadcrumb path. You can change due dates for particular students in your course. Click "Save" when you are done.



6. Click "Return to Course Overview" when you are finished modifying this assignment. 



How to Build and Modify a Readiness Reading

You can add custom items (passages and questions) from other topics to existing Readiness Readings or create your own Readiness Reading.


1. Follow steps 1 - 3 from the section above.



2.  The "Assessment Builder" will open on the "Details" tab of the breadcrumb path: 

  • Make sure to add class days associated with LOs for the additional topic of your choice. For example, in the graphic below, "Class 5" was added to "Class Days Covered" which automatically added "Class 5" LOs (i.e., LO 4.1, LO 4.2, and LO 4.3).
  • After you fill in the needed details, click "Save and Continue."



 


3. Click "Add Items" in the breadcrumb path. We will automatically add any reading and question associated with the Learning Objectives (LOs) on the class days covered. If these are not added:

  • Click on "Show Filters" on the top-left hand side of the "Assessment Builder."
  • Under the "Filter by LOs" tab on the left-hand window, scroll down to find the LOs associated with the class days covered you selected. For example, the graphic below shows the selection of "Class 5" LOs (i.e., LO 4.1, LO 4.2, and LO 4.3).



  • Click on the "+" symbol to add the section to your assignment. You can also create your own custom item. See "How to Create Custom Items" for more details.





4. You can open an existing item and copy the item to make specific changes.

  • First, click on the item you want to modify. A window will appear that shows a preview of the item. Click on the vertical three-dots and select "Make a Copy and Modify."
  • Once the item is copied, click on "Edit Question" and the "Question Editor" window will appear.



  • Click the pencil symbol on the right-hand side. Make any modifications you'd like in this window. When you are done, click "Save and Add Details" to save the changes.
  • Modify the "Short Title" that appears to update the name of the modified item. 
    • Please note, the short title will appear in students' "Table of Contents" when they are doing the reading (see Student View of Readiness Reading graphic on top of the page).
  • Click "Done" when you are finished modifying the item. 




  • On the "Assessment Builder," make sure to click the "+" symbol to add your custom item. Please note:
    • You will need to add the copied / new item and remove the original item to the assignment.



5. Click "Return to Course Overview" when you are finished modifying this assignment.