- Why should our institution enable Packback deep linking?
- How does it work?
- Which assignment fields are synced from Packback to the LMS?
- After deep linking is enabled, will gradebook syncing still work the same?
- Can educators still use resource links (basic launch links) too?
- How does deep linking impact course copying?
- Is it best for educators to create new assignments in the LMS using the deep linking flow or create them in Packback first?
Why should our institution enable Packback deep linking?
When educators set up a deep linked assignment in the LMS, additional information about the assignment is brought into the LMS from Packback. When setting up a deep linked assignment, a unique Packback URL is created, so when students click on a deep linked assignment in the LMS, they are brought to that specific assignment page in Packback (rather than the community home page). This means:
- Fewer clicks for educators when setting up assignments!
- Fewer clicks when accessing Packback assignments!
- Easier access for educators viewing and grading student submissions
- Easier access for students viewing and completing their assignments
How does it work?
When educators initiate Packback’s deep linking flow, they will have the option to create a new Packback assignment or select from an existing Packback assignment to link to the LMS. See the educator guide for details about how it works in your LMS.
Which assignment fields are synced from Packback to the LMS?
Depending on the LMS, the assignment title, description, start date, due date, and points fields may populate when a deep linked assignment is created. See this table for details:
After deep linking is enabled, will gradebook syncing still work the same?
Yes! When using deep linking in a course for the first time, educators still need to turn on gradebook syncing in Packback on the Gradebook Sync page (as they do now). However, The user SHOULD NOT click "Create Grading Columns" in Packback unless they want to sync grading columns for assignments that are not deep linked. When a deep linked assignment is created in the LMS, a line item in the gradebook is automatically created. Other than that difference, gradebook syncing for Packback Writing Assignments and Discussion Assignments works the same ways it does now.
Can educators still use resource links (basic launch links) too?
Resource links are links that point to Packback, but not to a specific assignment. These are the types of links currently used in our LMS integration. If current users have these links in their courses, they will continue to work as is. If they want to continue using resource links for certain assignments and deep links for others, in most cases, they can do so.
See below for LMS-specific info:
| LMS | Resource Links |
|
Blackboard |
When an educator goes to the Content Market to add the link, they should see one for deep linking and one for resource links. |
| Canvas | A resource link can be added to the course Navigation menu. However, a resource link cannot be added to an assignment page. When setting up an assignment, the External Tool link will default to the deep linking flow. |
| D2L Brighstpace | If an educator wants to use a resource link, they can follow the current flow - selecting External Learning Tools and then Packback. The deep linking flow uses a Quicklink in D2L instead. |
|
Moodle |
A resource link can be added if an educator does not click “Select content” when setting up an External Tool activity in a course. Simply select Packback in the Preconfigured tool dropdown, ignore the “Select content” button, and ignore the Tool URL box. |
| Schoology | A resource link can be added to the course Navigation menu. However, a resource link cannot be added within the “Materials” page. When adding Materials, the Packback external tool link will default to the deep linking flow. |
How does deep linking impact course copying?
Once deep linking is established in an LMS course, if educators want to copy that content to a future course, they should be aware that deep links SHOULD NOT be copied. This is because deep links are connected to a particular assignment within a particular community.
Follow these general steps for course copying:
- Copy the Packback community and configure it for the new term.
- Copy the LMS course, but do not include course content with external links.
- Within the new LMS course, connect to the new Packback community (by accessing a resource link or starting the deep linking flow).
- One by one, add the assignments to the LMS course using the Packback deep linking flow.
Is it best for educators to create new assignments in the LMS using the deep linking flow or create them in Packback first?
For educators who are using Packback robustly, it is best practice to set up their assignments in Packback first (from scratch or by copying an existing community). Once the Packback community is set up, it’s really easy to go through the deep linking flow in the LMS and get assignments connected. If they need to add assignments later in the deep linking flow, that can easily be done too.
For educators who are primarily using Packback for Originality Reviews or only using a few Packback assignments throughout the term, it might be best to set them up within the LMS using the deep linking flow. This is because this type of user is less familiar with the Packback interface and the deep linking flow will guide them more easily.