Brand new Custom Reports with personalised analytics, simultaneous login controls and more.

Custom Reports: New report builder for tailored analytics insights

Until now, Teachers and Teacher Admins had access only to fixed-format reports. Avallain Magnet Release 33 introduces a new report builder, empowering you to create fully personalised reports and gain tailored analytics insights based on what matters most to you and your organisation.

With this new feature, you can:

• Generate customised reports from groups and students
• Select exactly which data fields you need, from administrative details to learning indicators
• Save your report templates for ongoing use
• Export reports in CSV, Excel, or HTML formats (reports will continue to be sent via email)

Whether you’re a teacher monitoring student engagement, a teacher admin tracking group progress, or a publisher analysing usage across multiple institutions—the report builder delivers the tailored analytics insights you need to make informed decisions and support learning outcomes more effectively.

Please note: Legacy reports will no longer be available. If you need help replicating an old report in the new builder, please contact Customer Success.

Simultaneous Login Control: Secure access, smarter use

Release 33 introduces the option to restrict simultaneous logins. This is a valuable improvement for organisations and aiming to prevent unauthorised account sharing and strengthen account security.

When the restriction is set on, a user can only be logged in on one device at a time. If a new session is started, the previous one is automatically logged out, helping to ensure responsible and compliant access to your institutions.

• The restriction is set off by default
• Organisations can control this at the ORG level by toggling ‘simultaneous_login_enabled’ in Settings

This feature is particularly useful for institutions managing shared or licensed accounts, offering greater control over platform usage with minimal admin overhead.

Don’t forget to watch the webinar recording for a full walkthrough and to explore the Magnet User Guide for step-by-step instructions and tips.

Effortless Project Updates, Real-Time Spell Check, Improved Accessibility, and More

Backend Enhancements

Effortless Project Updates

Managing multiple projects has been optimised. Changes from a Product Type can now be applied directly to all associated projects, ensuring consistency across digital content. This includes both Activity Types and Global Options, with the flexibility to add new options or completely align with the Product Type.

Buttons to Apply Changes to Projects

Buttons to apply changes to projects are available in two locations:

• The Global Options section of the Product Type
• The Activity Types section

When applying Global Options to projects, two modes of copying are available:

• Add New Options Only: Copies all options present in the Product Type but not in the target projects to the selected projects.
• Match Product Type Exactly: Aligns all options and their values from the Product Type with those in the selected projects.

When applying Activity Types, the following steps must be completed:

1. Select the activity types to be copied to projects.
2. Select the target projects.

These improvements enhance the efficiency of managing multiple projects and ensure consistency across digital content.

Real-Time Spell Check: Spell Check as You Type

A Spell Check As You Type feature has been introduced, providing instant feedback within the rich text editor. This feature assists in producing polished, error-free content. Language settings can be customised for greater accuracy.

Spell Check as You Type in Avallain Author

The feature is configurable via the toolbar and utilises the browser’s native spellcheck functionality, underlining misspelled words based on the language set in the Learning Object’s Language Attribute. Content creators can select a different language from the spell checker settings available through the toolbar Spell Check icon.

Clearer Error Messages

Error messages have been improved for clarity and guidance. If a Learning Object is not configured correctly, a clear message now directs users to contact support.

Previous message: “This Learning Object does not exist. Please check the project and ID number (xxx).”
Updated message: “This Learning Object is not configured correctly. Please contact Support.”ties.

LO History: Improving Performance

Applying a Design Pack to All LOs Without Creating an LO History Version

Previously, applying a Design Pack to all Learning Objects (LOs) resulted in a new history version for each LO, impacting performance. Release 47 introduces a checkbox in the Set [Design Pack] for all objects dialog, which allows users to opt in to creating a history version, but the default will be to skip this step, thus improving performance.

Media Library: Improved Design

Updated Insert Mode for the Media Library

As part of efforts to enhance usability, Release 47 updates the visual design of the Insert Mode in the Media Library.

• The Media Library now opens in Insert Mode whenever an asset is inserted into a Learning Object.
• The insert asset button has been relocated to the bottom of the dialogue for better visual logic.
• Actions not directly related to inserting media, such as delete, download CSV, share availability, and import asset metadata, have been removed from Insert Mode.

Metadata Management Improvements

Metadata Schemas

Administrators can now rename metadata schemas, facilitating the reorganisation of metadata structures in Avallain Author.

Asset Metadata in Structures

Previously, exported structures contained metadata for the selected Learning Objects only. Release 47 ensures that metadata for assets within a structure is also included in exported XML files.

Simplified Publishing for Complex Digital Books

Publishing Digital Books Including LO Hotspots

Publishing complex Digital Books created with Avallain Author has been improved.

Previously, publishing Digital Books with Learning Objects (LOs) linked through hotspots required publishing the LOs and the Digital Book separately. This sometimes resulted in hosting platforms being unable to locate the LOs from within the Digital Book.

With Release 47, a Digital Book, including its linked LOs, can now be exported to SCORM 1.2 in a single SCORM package. SCORM-compliant platforms will be able to open the Digital Book with links to the LOs intact.

To enable this feature, an Admin must configure the Publishing Types with “includeHotspotsOption”: “true”. This action adds a checkbox to the publishing dialogue, allowing Learning Objects linked through hotspots to be included.

Importing Digital Books together with their linked LOs will be supported in a future version of Avallain Author.

Redesigned Animated Cards for Intuitive Navigation

Navigation within Avallain Author has been enhanced. Cards in the Media Library, Structures, and Products now feature subtle animations when hovered over or clicked, making navigation more intuitive and clearly highlighting active selections.

Users: Enhanced Security and Reporting

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) has been implemented to enhance account security.

How It Works:

1. Enable 2FA: Users can toggle two-factor authentication within profile settings.
2. Register a Device: An authenticator app (e.g., Google Authenticator or Authy) can be used to scan the provided QR code.
3. Login with a Code: Upon logging in, users must enter their username, password, and the time-based code generated by the authenticator app.

Administrator Control:

Administrators have granular control over 2FA settings for all users:

Reporting: User Count Clarity

The calculation of active users has been refined. The Users Page now displays the total number of active, unexpired customer users, regardless of whether they have assignments. This count aligns with the “regular” filter, ensuring a clearer and more consistent view of the user base.

Improved Search on the Work Packages Page

Search functionality on the Work Packages Page has been enhanced.

• Search terms are now retained throughout a session, allowing for improved efficiency in locating specific work packages.
• Filtering results by Work Package, Activity Type, or free-text search, are saved and restored upon returning to the list or returning to a project.

New SSO for Microsoft Teams, unlimited number of courses in the Magnet Kids Dashboard and extended feedback text limit.

MS Teams Single Sign-On (SSO)

Avallain Magnet now supports Single Sign-On (SSO) for Microsoft Teams, streamlining the login process for existing users. Similar to SSO integrations already available for Apple ID Google, this enhancement allows students and teachers to access their courses without needing additional credentials. 

Please note, while desktop integration is fully supported, mobile app compatibility is coming soon, making this feature even more versatile in the future.

Expanded Magnet Kids Dashboard

The Magnet Kids Dashboard has been upgraded to accommodate an unlimited number of courses and groups. Teachers and students no longer need to work within the previous limit of four courses and groups.

Extended Feedback Text Limit

Teachers can now provide up to 5,000 characters of feedback, a significant increase from the previous limit of 1,000 characters. This improvement allows for more comprehensive and meaningful feedback on manually marked activities, fostering deeper engagement and understanding for students. 

Enhanced Interface Design, Expanded Metadata Capabilities, Activity Limits, and More

Avallain Author Release 46 introduces significant improvements to interface usability, accessibility, and content management, alongside new settings and activity enhancements.

Backend Enhancements

Author Redesign

Release 46 refines the usability and aesthetics of Avallain Author, with updates to list pages for Structures, Products, and the Media Library:

Streamlined Create Button: The button for creating new items is now placed at the top right with a modern blue design. Enhanced colour contrast ensures compliance with accessibility standards, improving readability for all users.

Search, Sort, and Filter Widgets: Now positioned on the left side of the results header for improved accessibility.

View Controls: Tools such as the view mode selector and results page size widget are conveniently located on the right side.

Enhanced Option Usability

New icons now accompany many options, providing hoverable help texts. These brief descriptions clarify the purpose of each option and outline expected input values, assisting users without replacing the detailed articles available in the user guide.

Feature Extensions

Answer Metadata

The existing Answer Metadata feature has been extended to support image-based answers, offering greater flexibility and enabling creators to include more diverse response types in their Learning Objects.

New Administrative Setting

Activity Limits for Learning Objects

A new Max Number of Activities setting allows administrators to define limits for activities within each Learning Object (LO):

• Default Limit: Set to 100, but adjustable to meet specific project requirements.
• Enforcement: Once the activity limit is reached, the option to add additional activities is disabled for that LO.
• Applicability: This setting applies only to new LOs and affects all projects in your Author instance. In LOs that already exceed the limit, it will not be possible to add more activities.

Performance Tip: It is recommended to set the limit as low as practical to avoid potential performance issues with LOs containing a large number of activities.

Design Pack Updates

Mercury Quiz Support

The Mercury and Mercury Primary Design Packs now support the Quiz Activity Type (Present:Present:Quiz). This activity type allows learners to engage in team-based quizzes within a Learning Object, enhancing collaboration and interactive learning.

Improved Special Characters Access

In Mercury Design Packs, the Special Characters button now appears directly next to text input fields once focused. This update improves clarity, reduces interface clutter, and enhances accessibility.

Ordering Activity Tile Layout

For the Ordering Activity Type (Order:Sequence:Sequence), the tile layout has been optimised. Tiles now dynamically fill all available space before breaking to a new line, ensuring a clean and intuitive experience across devices.

Special Characters and Enumeration Answers

Enumeration Answers Expansion

The Enumeration Answers feature, already available for some activity types, has been extended to the Linking Activity Type (Identify:Select:Linking Lines).

This update includes support for custom enumeration syntax, allowing creators to define unique enumerations for each column and answer. The syntax is formatted as follows:

• Each column’s enumerations are listed separately, with values separated by commas.
• For example: 1*1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6, 2*A | B | C | D | E | F, 3*i | ii | iii | iv | v | vi.

This flexibility makes it easier to create customised, structured linking activities tailored to specific learning objectives.

New Discussion Forums, Assignment Time Precision, and reCAPTCHA for Enhanced Security

New Discussion Forums

Avallain Magnet Release 31 introduces a new discussion forums feature that allows students and teachers to engage in discussions at the course level, expanding beyond assignment-based interactions. This feature includes forums for group discussions that are linked to course content, enabling richer, more interactive learning experiences. Educators can now foster ongoing conversations among students, encourage collaboration, and provide a space for peer-to-peer learning that extends the classroom dialogue.

Discussion forums can also be linked directly to course content providing a simple mechanism for creating course-based interaction between students and teachers. Whether it’s for brainstorming ideas, reflecting on course material, or collaborative problem-solving, the new forums feature promotes deeper engagement and connectivity within the learning environment.

Note: this feature must be enabled in Magnet Administration. Visit the User Guide or watch the webinar recording for more information.

Assignments with Precise Start and Expiration Times

Building on the flexibility of assignment management, Avallain Magnet Release 31 now offers the option for teachers to set the exact start and expiration time of assignments, down to the minute (e.g., 15h39m). This enhancement allows for more precise control over assignment availability, ensuring that educators can coordinate due dates and submission windows with other scheduled activities, assessments, or external deadlines.

While this update offers added precision, it maintains all other aspects of the assignment functionality unchanged, including the intuitive assignment flow, timezone management, and the familiar date picker interface. The added level of detail helps educators provide a more structured and time-sensitive approach to assignments, supporting better student planning and time management.

reCAPTCHA on Registration for Enhanced Security

To improve platform security and prevent spam or abuse during user registration, Avallain Magnet Release 31 introduces reCAPTCHA functionality. This feature helps distinguish between real users and automated bots, adding an extra layer of protection to the registration process.

By implementing reCAPTCHA, Avallain Magnet ensures that only genuine users can access the platform, significantly reducing the risk of fake registrations or malicious activity. This added security measure enhances the integrity of the platform for institutions, educators, and learners alike.

New Features for Magnet Create

With Magnet Release 31, we are excited to bring two important updates to Magnet Create, designed to enhance the course creation process for teachers.

1. Gapfill Drag
   The Activity Type Gapfill Drag is now part of Magnet Create. This widely known feature allows students to drag words into the correct gaps within a text, making it easier to create engaging fill-in-the-blank exercises.
2. Feedback
   We’ve added the ability to provide detailed feedback for most activity types in Magnet Create. This feature gives students instant, actionable feedback after they submit their answers, helping them understand their mistakes and improve. Teachers can also customise feedback for different score ranges, adding another layer of personalisation to their courses.

Sneak Peek: Custom Reports

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming in Avallain Magnet 32: Introducing the new Custom Reports! 

The upcoming Custom Reports feature introduces a new report builder which will replace the existing users and groups reports. This change allows Teacher Admins and Teachers to create customised reports, tailored to their specific needs, whether for individual users, multiple users, or entire groups.

Reports will be able to be generated from various parts of the platform, including the Groups page for bulk reports, or the Users page for reports on single or multiple users. The report builder will provide a more flexible way to access and organise all teaching and learning data.

Improved interface and navigation, enhanced accessibility and metadata management and more.

New Project Navigation

Sidebar Navigation

The project navigation has been moved from the bottom to a left-hand sidebar, allowing for greater vertical screen space. You can switch between a minimised icon version or the full labelled version with a single toggle.

Project Selector

The look has been refreshed, keeping the same functionality to enable to easily switch between projects via a dropdown menu, where you can search or select from a pageable list.

Role Switch

The look has been refreshed, keeping the same functionality to enable to easily switch between projects via a dropdown menu, where you can search or select from a pageable list.

Enhanced Accessibility Panel

More Flexible Accessibility Criteria

Images, audio, and video assets follow less strict rules for accessibility. Images marked as decorative or containing alt-text are considered accessible. Audio and video files are accessible if transcripts or subtitles are provided.

LO Assets Overview

The LO Assets button will warn you if any asset fails to meet accessibility requirements — the red icon will display. When the dialogue is opened, the accessibility status of all assets will be visible.

New Metadata Schema Management

Dedicated Admin Page

Managing metadata schemas is now easier with a dedicated page in the admin backend. Schemas are marked as either Learning Object (LO), structure, or asset schemas. You can edit, delete, or download schemas as needed. Uploading edited XML files mirrors the asset upload process in the Media Library. The uploaded schema is validated before being applied. In the Product Types, where schemas were previously managed, they can now only be selected and deselected, as with Design Packs.

Structures Tab Enhancements

Sorting Features

You can now sort assets and Learning Objects by name, title, or last updated date within the Resources panel, making it easier to organise content.

Document Activity Enhancements

DOCX File Support

The Document activity type now supports the integration of DOCX files. Learners will not be able to edit the document, but they can select and copy text, providing more flexible document usage.

New Navigation Options for Digital Books

Skip to First/Last Page

Learners can now jump directly to the first or last page of a digital book with just one click, simplifying navigation and saving time.

Classroom View Enhancements

Global Classroom View

The Classroom View option is now a global setting, applicable across all Design Packs. When enabled, free-text input fields are represented by an underline, and recording elements are removed without replacement. These are the features currently configured for the Mercury and MercuryPrimary Design Packs; however, a Design Pack could use the option to control any other visual element of the activity.

Special Characters and Enumeration Answers

Extended Special Characters Palette

The palette now includes symbols for Set Theory, enabling more comprehensive mathematical exercises. Additionally, the Scientific characters palette has been reordered and extended.

Lower-case Alphabetic Enumeration

Enumeration Answers now supports lower-case alphabetic options, aligning them with other enumeration functionalities.

Block Google Translate for Secure Learning

Enhanced Security

By default, Learning Objects now block Google Translate and other online translation services, providing a more controlled learning environment. This option, Block Google Translate, can be enabled or disabled in the Learning Object settings.

Keep live sessions, courses and assignments under control with Avallain Magnet’s New Built-In Calendar

New built-in calendar tool within Avallain Magnet

Avallain Magnet Release 30 introduces a new built-in calendar for teachers and students to schedule and manage events within the learning platform. These events can also be synchronised with deadlines related to Assignments and Courses.

All events are created and displayed based on the teacher or student’s timezone. When a teacher or a student is invited to an event, they will receive a notification via email if they have checked the Calendar checkbox on their profiles, except for events created automatically.

Currently, the calendar offers three event categories to choose from:

• Live Sessions (video calls)
• Classroom Events (in-person events)
• Other Events
• Additionally, events are created automatically from Courses and Assignments

Note:

• The calendar is currently not supported offline or in the Kids mode.
• Users can navigate up to one year in the future and one year to past dates.
• Only teachers can send invitations to events to groups. They can only send one invitation per group, as long as the group has up to 40 members in the case of live sessions or 100 members for all other types of events.
• Students can only create Other Events for up to 100 members and only if the Message Centre is enabled for their institution, teachers are contactable and student to student messages are enabled.

Enhanced notification checkboxes and options on the user’s profile screen

Avallain Magnet 30 introduces a set of improvements to the Notifications options on the user’s profile screen.

Toggle buttons have been replaced by checkboxes and users can select the following options:

• Receive general notifications by email, including assignments and new subscriptions
• Disable chat notifications
• Receive calendar notifications by email

New User Details page and Limited Institutional Subscriptions

We have redesigned the User Details panel as a full page where Teacher Admins can intuitively manage all subscriptions assigned to a user, including limited subscriptions.

Along with this new feature, there is a new type of institutional subscription called Limited Institutional Subscriptions. These subscriptions have a limited number of seats available and are assigned by Teacher Admins. Additionally, Teacher Admins can now add limited subscriptions in the Users main page from the Apply Action menu.

Note: For more information about this new feature, visit the User Guide.

New role-based availability option for subscriptions and token batches

Avallain Magnet release 30 includes a new option for Org Admins, Org Owners and Teacher Admins to define if an open or limited institutional subscription, as well as token batches, are available to all or only specific roles.

With this option, for example, Org Admins can establish that a particular limited subscription can only be assigned to users with Student roles.

Note: Group subscriptions are not yet compatible with this feature.

New User Guide for Kids and Parents in Magnet Kids

We have added a new version of the User Guide for institutions using Magnet Kids mode, dedicated to users with Kid and Parent roles.

This new version of the User Guide provides a kid-friendly experience and information that is relevant to Kids and Parents specifically.

New kid-friendly Assignments

Avallain Magnet release 30 includes a brand-new version of Assignments dedicated to the Kids mode, which provides the same advantages of Assignments for regular students but with visual and functional features specially designed for children.

Sneak Peek: Course Discussion – Forums

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming in Avallain Magnet 31: Introducing the new Course Discussion – Forums! 

Teachers and students will soon be able to join discussion forums within Avallain Magnet. This new feature will enable enlightening and useful conversations between teachers and students about key aspects of courses and assignments.

Leverage the power of AI in language learning with the new Activity Class Input:Creative:Voice (Speech Assessment).

This innovative feature allows learners to record text, receive AI-validated feedback on pronunciation and content, and get detailed scores on multiple speech areas. Additionally, our new Media Library accessibility panel ensures inclusive learning for all with easy-to-see status indicators for ALT Text, Transcripts, and Subtitles.

Activity Types

New Activity Class Input:Creative:Voice (Speech Assessment)

Introducing the new Activity Class Input:Creative:Voice (Speech Assessment). This innovative activity class empowers learners by allowing them to record a text and harness the power of AI to validate their pronunciation and content. The AI provides detailed feedback on individual words, helping learners to elevate their speaking skills with precision.

In addition to real-time pronunciation feedback, the Activity Class Input:Creative:Voice (Speech Assessment) also provides comprehensive scores on multiple areas of speech, including fluency, grammar and vocabulary. Content creators can customise the assessment display for learners, ensuring that feedback is presented in the most effective way, enhancing language learning and supporting a more personalised and engaging educational experience.

Updated syntax of Identify:Select:Dropdown (Gapfill Dropdown) to support the use of the pipe character

We’ve updated the syntax of Identify:Select:Dropdown (Gapfill Dropdown) to support the use of the pipe character (|) in answers. Previously, the pipe was used for Placeholder text, that is, text that displays in the gap before the user has interacted with it. There is new syntax for this: [answer#{placeholder}**wrong answer].

Accessibility

New Asset Accessibility Panel in the Media Library

We’ve introduced a new panel to the Media Library metadata page specifically for accessibility features. This panel includes green/red icons that signal the status of ALT Text, Transcripts, and Subtitles, making it easy to see which items are accessible at a glance. 

The fields for ALT Text, Transcripts, and Subtitles have been moved from the Common section to this new panel for better organisation and greater ease of access. 

Additionally, an accessibility icon is now visible in the list view, providing a quick status indication for each item.

Please note: the rules used to calculate the pass or fail status in our new Accessibility Status and Panel feature are currently stricter than the WCAG AA compliance standards. Specifically, audio and video assets are only marked as ‘passed’ if they include alt text.

With Author Release 45, we will be making adjustments so that alt text will no longer be mandatory for audio and video assets to achieve a ‘passed’ status. Additionally, further minor design tweaks to enhance this feature will be included in the next release.

New accessibility features for the Activity Class Identify:Mark:Marking (Highlighting)

Avallain Author Release 44 introduces new accessibility features in the Highlighting activity. There is now a toggle that allows learners to switch between identifying markings by colour only or by both colour and number. This is particularly helpful for individuals who have difficulties discerning colours. 

Additionally, we’ve improved keyboard navigation to further enhance accessibility, ensuring a smoother and more inclusive user experience.

Backend

Enhanced usability in the Structures Tool

With Avallain Author Release 44, content creators can now use checkboxes to select multiple items instead of dragging and dropping each one individually.

This feature also allows selection and insertion of a mix of Learning Objects (LOs) and assets from the Media Library. Once items are selected, content creators can insert them using the Insert Items button at the top of the Resource pane. 

Note: Dragging and dropping individual items remains an option for those who prefer it.

Extended support for localised quotation marks

Avallain Author Release 44 adds support for localised quotation marks in French and Spanish. By setting the LO Option Language Attribute to the desired language, typed quotes will automatically change to the typographical style of the selected locale. This ensures that your content adheres to the correct punctuation standards for each language.

Digital Books

New Clear and Reset options for annotations in Digital Books

Learners can now manage their annotations more effectively with the new Clear and Reset options. Using the Clear button, learners can delete annotations on the currently visible pages. The Reset button allows them to delete all annotations in the book. Both buttons are conveniently located in the Annotations menu. 

Note: This feature requires Design Pack support and is fully supported in MercuryBook.

Engage young learners with Magnet Kids, the exciting new feature of Avallain Magnet 29.

Transform the learning experience for young learners by providing a user-friendly interface with customisable avatars and background colours, parent-dedicated roles with access to their child’s gradebook and more.

Magnet Kids

Avallain Magnet 29 introduces Magnet Kids, a brand-new feature that transforms the learning experience for young learners by providing a user-friendly interface with customisable avatars and background colours, parent-dedicated roles with access to their child’s gradebook and more.

Magnet Kids makes it simple and enjoyable for children to log in using QR codes, usernames, or group passwords. Parents can stay involved by accessing their child’s gradebook, while teachers can efficiently manage student accounts and create groups.

Key Features:

• Custom avatars and backgrounds: Children can personalise their experience by choosing avatars and background colours.
• Easy login options: Children can log in using QR codes, usernames and passwords, or group passwords.
• Parent role: Parents can access their child’s gradebook with a dedicated Parent role, making it easier to stay involved in their education.
• Teacher tools: Teachers can create group passwords, Parent and Kid user accounts, and generate badges for easier login.
• Kids’ interface easy customisation: ORG Admins can customise avatar options and background colours collections through the new ‘Kids Dashboard’ option in Settings in Magnet Administration.

To enable this feature, ORG Admins must toggle on the Magnet Kids option for each institution within Magnet Administration, under the Additional Features section. There, they can select the Dashboard Customisation collection that was previously created in Settings > Kids Dashboard.

Note: Parent and Kid new user accounts must be created by Teachers and Teacher Admins in their Avallain Magnet interface. For more details about how to set up and make the most of Magnet Kids, contact our Customer Success Team.

Google Classroom integration

Avallain Magnet 29 introduces a new integration with Google Classroom, enhancing the learning experience with streamlined data rostering and assignment grade synchronisation.

Key Features:

Single Sign-On (SSO): Simplified login process via Google accounts.

Automated Data Rostering: Automatic creation of institutions, users, and groups within Avallain Magnet and Google Classroom.

Assignment Sync: Automatically share and sync assignments and grades between Avallain Magnet and Google Classroom.

Important: If you are interested in leveraging this integration, contact our Customer Success Team.

Define teachers as Group owners via CSV upload

A new column called ‘Owned groups names’ will be included in the CSV upload template, allowing to define a teacher as the Group owner. 

This enhancement streamlines the process of defining Group owners directly from the CSV file, eliminating the need to manually assign them after the upload and creation of users in Avallain Magnet. Institutions can save time and reduce administrative workload, ensuring that teachers can quickly and efficiently manage their groups from the moment user data is uploaded.

Mail templates now support institutions name variable

Our email templates now support the {{institution_name}} variable, allowing institutions to further personalise communications by customising the email text to include the institution name.

If you need assistance with this feature, please contact our Customer Success Team. 

Sneak Peek: Magnet Calendar

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming in Avallain Magnet 30: Introducing the new Calendar feature! 

Teachers and students will soon be able to schedule virtual meetings, track important dates like assignment due dates, and create personal events. This enhancement aims to streamline organisation and improve time management for all users.

Group Centricity

Magnet 24 brings you a brand new dashboard together with a group-centric approach to your institutions, with teachers now accessing and managing their students from a single group dashboard. Students get access to their own groups page. We also see improved assignment features, Zapier integration and customisable self registration options for new users.

Group Centricity

Making the group the core of the learning process

Magnet 24 shifts the focus of learning from the course to the group making it easier for teachers to manage their students together from a single page. Teachers can pick and choose which courses they want their students to explore, from within each of their groups. 

Group dashboard for teachers

Course association

Deciding which courses the group is going to focus on is achieved via course association during the creation of the group or by editing the group later. Teachers build their own portfolios of courses and then select which courses and/or institutional subscriptions their students should have access to. If the teacher selects courses, students will need to ensure that they have their own subscription to the course. If the teacher selects a subscription, the student automatically receives a subscription.

Available courses for association with group

Available courses for association as subscriptions

Gradebooks

The new group-centric design gives the teacher the ability to assess group progress at a glance from the students progress page.

Group students tab

Selecting a student reveals the relevant gradebooks for that student.

Student gradebooks from group

Assignments

Assignments are now managed from each group and newly created assignments are by default assigned to each member of the group with the option to refine. Teachers can select lessons from any of the courses that the group is associated to, meaning that assignments can now consist of lessons from multiple courses.

Assignment showing lessons from different courses

Draft assignments

If you are not ready to send your assignment, then let Magnet keep a draft for you. Simply close the assignment and pick it up later.

Assignment card indicating that it is in draft status

Student groups page

Students get access to a brand new Groups page with a dedicated area within each group to see associated courses, group gradebooks and assignments.

Student view of one of their gradebooks from within a group

For more detailed information about groups, course association and using assignments, check out the Avallain Magnet User Guide for Org Admins or contact Customer Success.

New dashboard with tasks

Magnet 24 brings a brand new dashboard providing teachers and students simple shortcuts to where they need to go. A new Tasks feature shows the 5 most important tasks that need addressing and when there are no outstanding tasks, the Tasks area disappears.

Teacher Task area on main dashboard

Student tasks include:

– New assignment

– New course

– Resume assignment

– Resume course

– Review feedback

– Review manual marking

Teacher tasks include:

– New assignment submitted

– Pending marks

Below the Task area, is a Recent Groups section and a Recent Courses section allowing both teachers and students to jump directly to where they left off.

Teacher dashboard

For more detailed information about the new dashboard and tasks, check out the Avallain Magnet User Guide for Org Admins or contact Customer Success.

New add code button

Magnet 24 also brings with it easier access to the Add code button in addition to the standard access provided on the Courses page.

Simply click on the Admin area of the user to bring down the user admin menu with direct access to Add code.

Add code now accessible from the user admin menu

Zapier Integration

Zapier is an automation platform that allows for simple (or complex) automation between applications. With Magnet 24, Magnet is available as an official Zapier App integration, allowing seamless connection to thousands of other applications.

Zapier dashboard

Using a combination of triggers and actions, you can get other applications to react to events in Magnet, or have Magnet react to events in other apps. Currently Magnet events that trigger actions in other apps include when a user registers on the platform and when a user completes a course. Magnet can react to other apps by creating a new institution, creating a new user and creating a new subscription.

Possible use case scenarios include:

– Storing course data in external system

– Transmitting data for custom reporting needs

– Award certificates, for all completions or based on score (e.g. Accredible, Credly)

– Custom registration form built in e.g. Paperform or Google Forms

– Direct purchase from external eCommerce solution

How-to

1. You will need to create an API key in the new API section of Platform Settings in Magnet Administration.

API keys in Platforms Settings

2. Then create a free or paid account on Zapier.com and proceed to create triggers and actions on Zapier to set up your first Zap.

3. As you create your first Zap, you will be asked to authenticate your Magnet instance with the API key that you created in the first step. You will need to do the same for other apps that you wish to connect with Magnet via Zapier.

For more detailed information about using Zapier, check out the Avallain Magnet User Guide for Org Admins or contact Customer Success.

Self Registration Customisation

Magnet 24 allows you greater control over how users can self register on your platform. 

Firstly, you have the option to remove self registration altogether, thus hiding the Register tab on the institution landing page.

Sign-in page without the Register tab

Secondly, you can choose to allow self registration, with the option to allow the existing regular registration wizard in Magnet or choose a new option to point to the Register tab on the landing page to a URL of your choice. Here you can set up your own Registration form using for example Google Forms. From there, the form can be linked to Magnet via an automation tool such as Zapier.

Registration form created in Google Forms

One of the advantages of using an external form rather than the inbuilt registration wizard in Magnet, is that you can define your own questions and gain extra information about your new registrant before assigning them to a group or a course. 

How-to

To manage customised self registration:

1. Go to Institutions > Edit > Additional features > Other

2. Ensure that the Registration toggle is on

3. Select Custom registration

4. Enter the custom form URL

Other section in Institutions > Edit > Additional features

For more detailed information about using Self Registration Customisation, check out the Avallain Magnet User Guide for Org Admins or contact Customer Success.