Current OWL Release Notes

OWL v. 7.2

(March, 2024)

Dynamic Feedback

The features formerly referred to as Flight Path, are now called “Dynamic Feedback” in the OWL user interface. Users are not required to make any adjustments to their current assignments to accommodate this change. Please click this like for updated information: OWL Help Documentation | Dynamic Feedback.

OWL v. 7.0

(February, 2024)

The OWL version 7.0 release represents an upgrade to the infrastructure of the OWL Test Management System. With this release, users will notice improved speed and performance with functions like: saving changes, loading tests, managing list pages, and running system jobs such as copies and imports. Most important, this release represents a significant investment that sets the stage for even more flexible online exam building and delivery.

System Administrators and Content Creators (Instructor role) will experience some difference in certain areas of the OWL TMS. Please see the expanded details below for the following topics:

Editing Message Templates

Creating message templates is now even easier. For OWL users who have the automatic notification feature, you can now include links and attach images with greater ease. Please watch the updated OWL Help Video for more information. [Video Transcript]

OWL Help Page | Building Message Templates

 

Editing Flight Paths

The editor for creating dynamic feedback has been upgraded. Please fund updated help instructions here:

OWL Help Page | Dynamic Feedback

Keywords

Sample of Keywords added to User Interface

Certain OWL keywords have been incorporated into the appropriate properties editors. If your existing content included one of these keywords, your settings have been migrated to the new controls.

For more information on each setting, visit this page:

OWL Help Page | Property Definitions and Settings

Then follow the links for the marked (*).

The impacted keywords and associated test elements are:

 

Simple UI

Response Playback

Sync Playback and Record

Image Popup

Content Direction

Calculator/Scratchpad

Math Rendering

Right to Left Testing

for Tests with Oral Response and Directions Items Only

for Oral Response Items Only

for Oral Response Items, Video Response Items Only

for Directions, Section Headers, and/or Item Image Prompts

for Test Directions, Section Headers, and/or Individual Items

Test Level Setting

Test, Section, and/or Item Level Setting

Test, Section and/or Item Level Settings

 

Content Sharing

OWL v. 7.0 makes sharing easier, safer and better.

  • Now users can see what content they have shared in their list pages.

  • If an item has been shared with you, it can be accessed from a separate menu.

  • If you share with another user, they cannot change your original content.

  • Please watch these OWL Help Videos for more information.

This tutorial will demonstrate how to share your OWL content with other members of your team. [Transcript]

The types of content that can now be shared include:

  • Test, Sections, All Item Types

  • Media: Audio, Image and Video Files

  • Message Templates

  • Flight Paths

  • Certificates

  • Rubrics

 

If another OWL user has shared something with you watch this tutorial. [Transcript]

To access your shared content:

  1. Go to Building menu >> Shared

  2. Make a Copy of Shared Content

 

Assignment Management

Deleting - Is only meant to be used for Assignments that have been created by mistake. This function removes the assignment from the database permanently. Assignment can only be deleted if they:

  • Have no response data

  • Have no test sessions in progress

  • Are unlocked

  • Have no users on the Assignment Rosters

Archiving - Use Archiving If you have old assignments that you wish to remove from list pages. Archiving does NOT remove the assignment and it’s associated data from the database. Archiving an assignment removes it from the following pages:

  • Testing Menu: My Current Assignments, My Completed Assignments

  • Assessment Menu: Assessment List, Assessments (Flat List), Interviews, Start Blind Assessments

  • Assessment >> Admin Sub Menu: Unfinalized Responses, Assessments (Single No Rating), Assessment Monitor, Assessment Requests Remaining

  • Tools: Examinee Portfolios

To Archive an Assignment:

  1. Go to the Testing menu >> Assignments

  2. Select the assignment with check box

  3. Click the Archive button

 
unarchive assignment screen shot

To Retrieve an Archived Assignment

  1. Go to the Archives menu >> Assignments

  2. Select the assignment with check box

  3. Click the Unarchive button




 

To Report on an Archived Assignment:

  1. Go to the Reporting menu and select the desired report.

  2. Set your reporting parameters and click the Select Assignments button

  3. Select the Archived “is true” filter from the assignment selection interface

  4. Select the desired assignment(s) and run your reporting


Tracking Numbers

The way tracking numbers are assigned in the OWL Test Management System is changing.

  • Elements of the same type (i.e., within a single list page) will each have a unique tracking number

  • Elements of different types may have (e.g., Test v. Section v. Item) the same tracking number

  • OWL Items regardless of type (e.g., short answer, essay, multiple choice, etc.) will have a unique number

Content Copying

  • Copies of content (Tests, Sections, Items) will no longer be assigned a Version number.

  • Copy preferences for media are no longer requested

  • When copying content all associated media will be copied as well.