News & Events: New Features for January 2008

Release scheduled for Sunday, December 23, 2007 

Our new feature release is scheduled for Sunday, 12/23/07. Please do not schedule tests or assignments on this day, as MyMathLab and MathXL courses will be temporarily unavailable. After the upgrade, it is recommended that you install the latest version of the MathXL Player by running the updated Installation Wizard within your MyMathLab or MathXL course.

New Features

Course Email Setting
Instructors can change the email address to which Ask My Instructor messages are sent. This email address will also be used when instructors email students from the Gradebook, in both the “From:” line and the new “cc:” line, which enables instructors to retain a record of what they have sent.

Custom Exercises Import
When instructors upgrade to a new edition, they will now be able to import custom exercises along with publisher-provided exercises. The custom exercises will be called out in the email summary to instructors, allowing them to associate the custom exercises to the new edition.

Advanced Exports in Blackboard and Vista/CE (WebCT) formats
Instructors working in Blackboard or Vista/CE (WebCT) will be able to specify the spreadsheet layout for Advanced Exports so that the files can be easily imported into the Blackboard or WebCT gradebooks with no further manipulation needed.

Current Course Time Display
In addition to existing time zone notices, instructors will see explicit verification of their current course time on the Create Assignment --> Choose Settings page and on the Course Settings Summary page.

New Product: MyMathTest!

New for January 2008, MyMathTest assesses students' strengths and weaknesses and enables instructors to place students into courses according to their test results. MyMathTest can also be used to deliver short-term, refresher courses that allow students to review and prepare before taking a placement test. Key features of MyMathTest include the following:

• Familiar interface for students and instructors who have used MyMathLab or MathXL.
• Instructors can create placement programs using developmental math and precalculus test banks.
• Students can complete tests and receive an individualized study plan with tutorial exercises, allowing them to practice before retesting. Many exercises include multimedia learning aids such as videos and animations. However, because test questions are not book-specific, no ebook pages are available in the study plan.
• Instructors can review scores and item-level analysis in the Gradebook and assign a course placement to the student.
• Students purchase a low-cost, six-week subscription to this site.