Introduction
The features included in this release make up a new ‘Modern UI’, delivering a next-generation, intuitive, personalised experience to drive productivity and improve engagement.
Key highlights include the eagerly anticipated customisable dashboard that was demonstrated in this webinar. For those that missed it, we encourage you to check it out before enabling this feature to get a solid understanding of the design decisions that were made.
Providing the ability to build the dashboard to suit your organisational needs is a radical change. Moving it away from the current static layout gives Org Admins greater control. This allows us to provide even more UI enhancements such as a new tile design with a contextual peak, dynamic statuses and a new sidebar delivering everything you need in one place.
For further information on how these work, please see this video
Dashboard Builder
What it is
A new feature that enables Org Admins to customise the learner dashboard. The ‘Dashboard Builder’ puts the look, feel and experience of the ‘Learner Dashboard’ firmly in the hands of the Organisation. Each available stream can be placed exactly in the right place for the desired outcome of the Organisation. Additional controls over the layout of each stream are also available.
Why we have done this
We listen to customer feedback, and because every organisation is different, adding functionality that enables Org Admins to tailor Learners’ experience on the platform is key. Giving control to Org Admins to configure which streams are surfaced on the Learner Dashboard ensures the learner is focused on what’s relevant to them. The ‘Modern UI Dashboard’ is another way organisations can ensure that their learners find what is most relevant and valuable.
How it works
- Navigate to ‘Settings’
- Select ‘Dashboard Builder’
- Select the ’plus icon’ to add a new block to the dashboard
- A sidebar called ‘Block builder’ emerges
- In the sidebar, ‘Choose what content type’ you want to add from the ‘Choose content type’ dropdown
- ‘Stream’
- When ‘Stream’ is selected more options display
- ‘Select layout type’ has two options
- Slider
- Grid
- ‘Choose stream option’ has six options
- Mandatory
- Recent
- Assigned
- My Plan
- New
- Public
- ‘Hide when empty’
- Hides the stream when it has no content
- ‘Hide block’
- Enables the admin to hide the block on the frontend dashboard
- When selections have been made in the sidebar save changes
- Use the up and down arrow icons to order the blocks in the sequence you want
Once the dashboard is customised follow the steps outlined in the ‘Modern UI’ Service below to surface the new dashboard to learners
Modern UI Service
What it is
We have added a new service that will allow a streamlined way to enable the ‘Modern UI’. We have also reorganised the current UI/UX service setting to better display legacy and advanced settings.
Why we have done this
We want to be able to offer the whole suite of UI improvements to organisations quickly and easily. By splitting the current UI/UX page into two separate settings pages an Org Admin can now gain access to new features by ticking one checkbox. Admins that want to continue using the current dashboard settings, can utilise the existing page in a more clean and apparent way.
How it works
We recommend customising the dashboard using the ‘Dashboard Builder’ before enabling this service, otherwise you will surface a blank dashboard to learners
- To enable the ‘Modern UI’
- Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Services’
- Select the ‘Modern UI’ service
- Tick ‘Enable Modern UI’ to automatically enable the following:
- Modern UI Dashboard
- Redesigned Tiles
- Redesigned Sidebar
- New Slider
- New ‘My Profile’ page
- New Notification centre
Redesigned Tiles
What it is
The Learning Experience tiles have a new design that is effortless to learn, easy to use and provides convenient information through the use of a contextual peak and dynamic statuses.
Why we have done this
We conducted an evaluation of the existing tiles and determined that there was room for improvement in terms of their learnability, effectiveness and satisfaction. The redesigned tiles are purposeful, have a rich visual aesthetic, provide relevant information and ensure an intuitive and engaging user experience. There is further real estate on the tile for an image, helping you extend your organisation’s branding for a more seamless integration within your ecosystem. In line with this emphasis on branding, tile iconography inherits your brand’s colours to provide a cohesive and consistent user experience. Aspects of the existing tile were found not to be AA accessible including the info button, the redesigned tile addresses these issues.
How it works
- Dynamic Status bar
- Dynamic status bar presents users with the right information at the right time.
- On hover information
- Additional information is progressively revealed on the rollover state including due dates, assignment type, attempt expiry dates etc.
- Action popup
- With the subtly designed and intuitive action menu, which is accessible through the tile and sidebar, all the actions a user needs to perform are at their fingertips.
Redesigned Sidebar
What it is
Clicking on the ‘Info’ button on a learning experience tile hover state displays a newly updated sidebar with a refreshed, modern UI. We have added a number of new features including a new section for ‘Alert Icons’ and a tab filter for ‘Info’, ‘Reflection’ and ‘Content Matches’. Additionally, a new Sticky Action footer with menu items for ‘Set Due Date’, ‘Add to My Plan’, ‘Mark Complete’, and ‘Rate this content’ has been added which sticks to the sidebar as you scroll, making sure what you need is there when you need it.
Why we have done this
As well as bringing a more modern look and feel, the new sidebar provides learners with everything they need in one place. The ability to easily set due dates, download certificates or add content to playlists and my plan encourages self-driven learning and makes keeping on top of mandatory or compliance-based learning effortless.
How it works
- When the sidebar is launched, using the ‘Info’ button on the tile, there are a number of possible actions:
- Download Certificate: This will only display if a certificate has been added to the Learning Experience and the learning experience is complete
- Set Due Date
- Add to Plan / Remove From Plan
- Add to Playlist
- Mark as Complete / Reopen
- Delete
- Recommended
- Not Recommended
- A tab filter will also display the following:
- Info: This shows a description of the learning experience
- Reflection: This will only display when the learning experience is complete and allows users to reflect on their learning
- Content Matches: This will only display when the search functionality is used and the Content Matches button on the tile is selected. When clicked the Content Matches tab is opened within the sidebar
Bug Fixes
- Event is created/updated successfully after title change – [VENUE-1916]
- Event Timezones accurately display the chosen timezone during event creation and ical invitations reflect the correct timezone for learners – [VENUE-1855]