Product Updates

We have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update includes the option to enable the Lockdown App for Canvas New Quizzes, improved processing times for recordings, the option to adjust email settings at the institution level, and enhanced design and text elements across the platform. 

1. Improved Design for the Verity Recording Panel
   
   The Verity Recording Panel now provides a new look and feel that seamlessly aligns with our brand development goals. Our intuitively refined design enhances the user experience, particularly when utilizing the Zoom feature.
   
2. Lockdown App now Supports Canvas New Quizzes
   Instructors who prefer to use “New Quizzes” in Canvas can now utilize the Lockdown App and its available settings to create the most reliable proctoring environment for online assessments.
   
3. Improved Processing Time for Recorded Assessments
   We’ve enhanced our processing efficiency to ensure that recorded assessments are available within the Results table in as little as a few minutes, whereas previously, instructors could have to wait up to three hours.
   
4. Adjust Email Settings at the Institution Level
   Verity provides daily emails detailing a summary of all proctored sessions submitted. This setting can now be disabled on an institutional level and available on a per-course basis.
   
5. Delete Assessments from the Assessment Tab
   The Verity Portal offers a dedicated tab on the Automated Proctoring, Lockdown App, and Live Proctoring pages, presenting a convenient list of assessments. Instructors can access this Assessment tab for each proctoring tool, allowing them to delete assessments without the need to locate them within the LMS.
   
6. Enhanced Design Elements and Text Across the Lockdown App
   
   To enhance the user experience, we have taken a step toward updating areas of improvement for the Lockdown App through incremental design elements and text adjustments. The refreshed UI and text have been curated to guide students through the essential proctor checks, ensuring a seamless transition into their assessments.
7. Visual Refresh for the Verity Portal
   We have provided a new look and feel to the Verity Portal, providing a structured approach to the various Proctored Tools accessible from the left-side navigation menu. Instructors and students will be able to select their preferred tool, view setup steps, and have access to view and edit associated assessments.
   
8. Streamlined User-Friendly Updates
   As we continue to expand upon Verity, we’ve taken a close look at providing minor updates to existing features to help elevate the experience for instructors, proctors, and students. Below are some of these enhancements.
   • Microphone and Camera permissions will automatically be enabled on the Chrome browser.
   • When students register for a time slot, if only one option is available, it will be automatically selected.
   • Proctors will receive a notification if students leave a live proctoring session. 

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Engage Student Response System instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This release provides our users with the option to pre-schedule Poll releases, filtering options for locating Polls and Surveys, and overall enhancements to the platform through element redesigns and bug fixes.

1. Ability to Pre-Schedule Poll Releases
   We’re enhancing the way Creators can initiate Polls by introducing the option to schedule active Polls. This enables Creators to provide asynchronous Polls that participants can complete within a specified timeframe with the option for gradebook synchronization. To learn more about this feature, please visit our guide on Scheduling Polls for YuJa Engage.
   
   
2. More In-Depth Engagement Analytics
   When sharing polls, Creators can now access the Average Engagement analytic, which displays the percentage of participants who have attempted to answer questions. Furthermore, the Participants Platform panel offers a detailed breakdown of how users access the poll, including their choice of browsers and platforms, such as Windows, Mac, or Mobile.
   
3. New Filtering Options for Locating Polls and Surveys
   IT Managers and Creators now have greater precision when locating Polls and Surveys with the help of new filtering options. These options allow users to specify their preferences, such as choosing whether to view Polls or Surveys and selecting whether they are active.
   
4. Require Names When Participants Join Anonymously
   Previously, participants joining anonymously were not required to enter a name. In this update, we introduced a setting allowing IT managers and Creators to require participants to enter a name.
   
5. Enhanced Design Elements and Text Across the Platform
   To enhance the user experience, we have taken a step toward updating areas of improvement through incremental design elements and text adjustments that can help facilitate ease of navigation across the platform. We encourage IT Managers and Creators to take a look at our new design spacing, buttons, messages, and more. We thank you for your valuable feedback as we continue to roll out even more enhancements to the platform.
   
   
6. Bug Fixes and Optimizations
   We have optimized the performance of YuJa Engage and made several bug fixes to improve the user experience. Highlighting some of these optimizations and fixes are:
   • Resolved issues with SSO and LTI linkage.
   • Resolved issues with Polls having blank titles.
   • Resolved issues that prevented Poll questions from being shared individually.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Panorama Digital Accessibility Platform instances residing in the United States, Canada, and the European Union. This release provides our users with a new workflow for remediating accessibility issues, a Remediation Engine that fully supports Microsoft Word issues, a refreshed Accessibility Report, custom weighting for severity types, the option to replace the original document with a generated alternative format, localization support for Dutch and Finnish languages, and so much more.

1. Streamlined Workflow for Remediating Accessibility Issues
   As part of our development for Panorama’s Remediation Engine, we have taken a deep dive into how users can easily resolve issues in real time within the Accessibility Report. As a result, we are introducing a dedicated ‘Fix Issue’ feature that offers immediate insights into the current problem and practical suggestions for a resolution. After adding the necessary changes, a comprehensive list of all fixes can be reviewed before applying the changes to update the document.
   
2. Expanded Support for Microsoft Word Remediation Engine for Inline Remediation Within the LMS
   Our previous release introduced our new Microsoft Word Remediation Engine, designed to address font-size issues in real-time within Microsoft Word documents. Building upon this, we’re expanding our remediation capabilities by allowing users to resolve more WCAG 2.1 Microsoft Word issues:
   
   
   • Contrast issues
   • Alternative text for images
   • Non-descriptive hyperlink text
3. Refreshed Accessibility Report Interface
   We have updated the Accessibility Report with a modernized UI showcasing an organized display of issues. To accomplish this, we have made the following changes: 1) issue can be seen within the new list-style view; 2) The number of issues have been categorized by their severity; 3) Filtering options to allow users to view specific issues in each severity.
   

   

4. Create a Custom Weighted Scale for Severity Types
   Panorama has consistently assessed accessibility issues with Severe, Major, and Minor importance. We’re now providing administrators the option to fine-tune the weight of each severity, allowing institutions to create a more precise accessibility score aligning with their unique priorities.
   
   Each severity level will now uniquely influence the final accessibility score through its customized weight. For instance, if Major issues are assigned a weight of 10 and Minor issues a weight of 1, Major issues will affect the accessibility score ten times more than Minor issues. To learn more about this feature and how to set custom weights for the severity of issues, please visit our guide on Customizing Severity Weighting Settings for Panorama

   

5. Replace Original Documents with a Generated Alternative Format
   Instructors have the option to seamlessly replace the original document within their Learning Management System with a newly generated alternative format.
   
6. Accessibility Icons Can Be Hidden at the Course Level
   To give instructors more control over their courses, they can now disable accessibility icons at the course level. This option will prevent students and instructors from accessing the Alternative Formats menu and Accessibility Reports within their LMS but will still provide analytical tracking for the course.
   
7. Integrate Panorama into Specific LMS Sub-Accounts for LTI 1.3
   Panorama now offers targeted integration within specific LTI 1.3 sub-accounts to accommodate institutions utilizing hierarchical sub-accounts in their LMS. This will allow administrators to only enable Panorama for their desired accounts instead of applying it to the top-level account, which would activate Panorama for all sub-accounts.
8. The Course Setting Page Offers Access to the LMS Course
   Administrators and instructors who wish to navigate back to their course after making course-setting adjustments can, with a click of a button, navigate directly to their course.
   
9. Local Support for Dutch and Finnish Languages
   Complementing our English, French, and Spanish localization, Panorama will now fully support Dutch and Finnish languages across the entire Platform. Simply access your settings to adjust your language preferences.
   
10. Updated Colors and Icons for the Panorama Sidebar
    As part of our ongoing commitment to elevate the Panorama experience with our new branding, administrators can expect vibrant color enhancements and new icons that provide a refreshed look to the sidebar.
    
11. Screen Readers Can Detect When Alternative Formats Are Generated
    Users who navigate through Panorama with the help of accessibility tools will now be notified by their screen reader when an alternative format has been successfully generated.
12. Pre-Generate Course Reports to Provide Instant Viewing of Analytics
    Similar to pre-generating institution reports, activating this feature ensures that the Course Report stays consistently up-to-date, providing institutions with large data sets instant access to their analytics.
    
13. Increased Responsiveness for the Panorama LTI App on Canvas
    To enhance Panorama’s accessibility for users who prefer utilizing their browser’s zoom functionalities, Panorama will now dynamically adapt its interface to accommodate zoom levels exceeding 100%.

We have successfully pushed a hotfix to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This hotfix includes refined workflows for Canvas New Quizzes, students attempting to take a proctored assessment, ID Verification, and several optimization and bug fixes.

1. Refined Verity Workflow for Canvas New Quizzes
   Previously, instructors were required to create a Canvas New Quiz before enabling Verity. We have refined this process to allow instructors to enable Verity as they are creating their quizzes.
   
2. Updates to the Student Workflow Interface for the Browser Extension and Lockdown App
   Text and icons are thoughtfully centered, providing a more intuitive and visually pleasing process as students prepare to access their assessments.
   
3. Refined Workflow for ID Verification
   In addition to our AI-enhanced ID verification, we offer students the convenience of capturing photos of their ID and face for manual verification by their proctors.
   
4. Improved Facial Analysis Recognition Under Low-Light conditions
   We’ve improved our AI-enhanced ID verification to deliver faster and more dependable student identification, even in low-light conditions.
   
5. Optimization and Bug Fixes
   We have optimized the performance of YuJa Verity and made several bug fixes to improve the user experience. Highlighting some of these optimizations and fixes are:
   
   • Resolved issues related to color adjustment and user-friendly messages.
   • Enhanced the precision of Course and Institution reports.
   • Flagged events will accurately appear on recordings.

We have released a new Hardware Hub RCS 550 firmware that is available for update within the Devices Panel. This update provides our users with real-time health and performance monitoring and the option to publish and live stream to EnterpriseTube and CampusTube folders. 

1. Real-Time Health and Performance Monitoring for the Hardware Hub
   The Hardware Hub is trusted for seamless, end-to-end video capture and distribution. To ensure the reliability of your device during sessions, we now offer live tracking for the performance of the Hardware Hub. View analytics such as:
   • CPU Temperature reading
   • Video streaming quality
   • Storage management
   • Hardware issues

   By monitoring the performance of the Hub, administrators will be able to take note of crucial readings to better manage their recordings.
   

2. Manage and Resolve Issues for Configured Devices
   We have added a check for source issues within the Device Status report by providing instant viewing of how many devices are experiencing issues. If any device is experiencing problems, simply click ‘Resolve Issues’ to be directed to the device configuration page, where adjustments can be made or seen for pressing issues such as connecting a device to the correct source or viewing which device has disconnected.
   
   
3. Live Stream and Publish to the EnterpriseTube and CampusTube
   The Hardware Hub has previously been able to live stream and publish to Channels inside the Video Platform. We are now expanding this capability to allow users to publish to any location within their EnterpriseTube or CampusTube folders.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Engage Student Response System instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This release provides our users with a new matching question type, a YuJa Engage desktop app for Mac Keynote presentations, and enhancements to the Engage mobile app.

1. New Matching Question Type
   To further expand on our growing list of question types, Engage now offers Creators the option to include matching questions. This new question type prompts Poll Participants to pair items with predetermined options, contributing to a more engaging interactive experience.
   
2. YuJa Engage Desktop App for Poll Integration with Apple Keynote
   The YuJa Engage desktop app is now accessible for Mac Keynote to provide users with a seamless Student Response System during live presentations. The app will allow users to integrate individual questions within their Keynote presentations while providing a comprehensive view of corresponding results. The Engage desktop app will be available for download on the App Store in the coming week. We hope you enjoy creating interactive and engaging presentations.
   
3. Features for the YuJa Engage Mobile App Are Now Aligned with the Web App
   To provide consistent and reliable features to the mobile app comparable to the web app, we have added and resolved many issues to enhance the overall user experience. Highlighting some of these features are: Word Cloud question type support, Hide correct answers, Thumbs up and thumbs down reactions, as well as resolved issues to allow reattempts.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all Enterprise Video Platform instances residing in Canada, Australia, and the European Union. Release highlights include: real-time device health status info, refined capabilities to split and cut recordings in the Video Editor, a new System Panel to manage affiliated campuses, a new Admin Campus role, the option to bulk suspend users, delegate schedule Hardware Hub recordings for activation, generate role-specific API tokens, and so much more.

1. Devices Panel Now Offers Real-Time Device Health Status Information
   The Health Status overview provides real-time statistical data on the current CPU, memory, and disk space usage of devices running the Software Capture application or the Hardware Hub. With this information, administrators will be able to monitor these critical areas of concern to ensure the classroom podium computer or Hardware Hub is performing well when under heavy use.
   To take advantage of this feature, please update your Software Capture Application to the Eclair release. The Hardware Hub version of this feature will be available in the coming week for all devices on the Everest release. In future releases, we’ll focus on bringing this feature to Software Capture for Apple.
   
2. More In-Depth Hardware Hub Device Health Status Panel
   The Hardware Hub features advanced analytics to monitor the performance of the device in real time. View key analytics for the device, such as fan speed, memory, CPU, disk, and network usage, to determine areas of improvement for:
   • Video Streaming quality
   • Storage Management
   • Hardware Issues

    

   We are actively engaged in the R&D work to provide the same In-Depth Health Score Panel for Software Capture applications to match the Hardware Hub’s capabilities. This feature will be available in the coming week for all Hub devices on the Everest release.

   

3. Independently Split and Trim Multi-Stream Videos Multi-Stream in the Video Editor
   As part of a multi-quarter commitment to refine workflows in the Video Editor, we’ve introduced a much-anticipated workflow: a more intuitive method for cutting videos that aligns with editing tools familiar to end-users who use popular purpose-built video editors and social video tools alike.
   By selecting any timeline segment in the Video Editor, Content Creators can effortlessly create two distinct videos on their track by utilizing the ‘Split’ button. Refine the video further by clicking and dragging on its edges, allowing Creators to easily trim unwanted footage. For a complete list of features available in the Video Editor, please visit our guide on the Video Editor Overview.
   
4. Umbrella System – New System Panel to Manage Physical Campuses
   Quick recap, the Umbrella System is a strategy to better support multi-campus systems with both central administration of a Video Platform instance alongside distributed sub-administration of individual campus nodes by Campus Admins.
   As part of the third phase of our Umbrella System plan, institution administrators, also known as ‘Super Admins,’ will have access to a new System Panel. This panel will seamlessly present a comprehensive list of registered Campuses affiliated with the institution. Within this framework, Super Admins can access the Admin Panel for individual campuses or apply global settings to all campuses by accessing the System Panel.
   The next phase of our work involves distributing the various settings between the System Panel and Admin Panel and finally providing roll-up System-level statistics to Super Admins. We are exploring ways, in 2024, of making aspects of the Umbrella System available to large individual institutions to offer better distributed administration and permission management of a single campus entity.
   
5. Umbrella System – Customize the URL Sub-Domain Name for Campuses to Access their Dedicated EnterpriseTube
   Institution-affiliated campuses can have their URL sub-domain customized. These URLs serve as direct access points to individualized EnterpriseTube environments, allowing personalized content viewing for each campus. Simply access the Edit Insitute page for your desired campus and customize the sub-domain name.
   
6. Umbrella System – New ‘Campus Admin’ Role for Managing Individual Campuses
   Complementing our Super Admin role for managing all campuses under an institution, Campus Admins can be assigned to manage their respective campuses to create custom branding and adjust platform settings based on the individual needs of their campus.
   
7. Bulk Suspend Users on the Roster List
   The Roster panel will allow administrators to suspend multiple users simultaneously by uploading a CSV file. Simply download our template, fill out the relevant information for each user, and upload the document. For detailed instructions on suspending users, please visit our guide on Bulk Suspending Users on the Video Platform.
   
   
8. Delegate and Activate Scheduled Hardware Hub Sessions
   Scheduled Hardware Hub sessions can now serve solely as placeholders, enabling session owners and delegated users the option to activate recordings at their preferred times during the scheduled event. This provides enhanced recording control for cases where sessions may begin later than initially scheduled. Please note that this capability does not extend to version 6 Hardware Hub devices.
   
9. Visual Refresh for the Organization Tab
   As we build out the Umbrella System architecture, we have also enhanced the UI Of the Organization tab to our modern design system that seamlessly blends functionality with aesthetic appeal. We hope you love our new interface, and stay tuned for more visual improvements coming soon.
   
10. Generate Role-Scoped API Tokens
    Users across the Video Platform now have the capability to generate API tokens tailored to their roles, simplifying access to role-specific API features. Administrators will still have access to manage these tokens, including the option to revoke API access for specific users if required. If you would like to enable this feature for your institution, please contact your Customer Success Manager.
    
11. Mirror Single Sign-on ID Names in the Video Platform When Generating YuJa IDs
    Similar to how Canvas user IDs can replace existing ID numbers on the Video Platform, we have expanded this feature to encompass Single Sign-on (SSO) ID names as well. Simply configure your SSO integration to allow the Video Platform to generate matching IDs.
12. Link Copied Courses in the LMS with Pre-Existing Courses on the Video Platform
    Previously, an LMS-copied course would automatically create a new course within the Video Platform and have its associated media content added immediately. We have now expanded this functionality to allow the option for copied courses to be linked with a pre-existing course on the Video Platform as well. To learn how to enable this optional feature, please visit our guide on Using Course Copy for Media Channels, Video Quizzes, and Embedded Videos.
    
13. SSO Integrated Groups Will Have Their Names Auto-Updated on the Video Platform
    Administrators integrating SSO-provisioned groups into the Video Platform can update group names, leading to immediate synchronization of these changes across the Video Platform.
14. New API for Adding Transcripts or Caption Files to Videos
    We are introducing a new API to allow users to add caption srt files and transcript txt or pdf files to a video. Please visit our API Support guide to learn how to use this and any of our other APIs.
15. New APIs for Creating Folders in EnterpriseTube and CampusTube
    We’re introducing two new APIs to help users create folders within their EnterpriseTube and CampusTube libraries. Please visit our API Support guide to learn how to use these and any of our other APIs.

We have successfully pushed an update to all YuJa Himalayas Data Archiving Platform instances residing in Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update provides a new recurring policy action to move files to the owner’s recycling bin,  the option to bulk restore archived media, and improved naming conventions for rules in the Policy Creator.

1. New Recurring Policy Action – Move Files into Owner’s Recycle Bin
   Administrators can now establish a recurring policy action designed to remove content from users based on custom-set rules for the policy. Following the policy’s execution, designated content will be cleared from all locations and moved to the Content Owner’s recycling bin. Should Content Owners opt to restore their media, they will be visible across all previously published locations.
   
2. Bulk Restore Archived Media
   We now provide an easy approach for Content Owners aiming to restore multiple archived pieces of content. Simply select your desired archived media and restore all items simultaneously with the new Bulk Restore action.
   
3. Improved Naming Convention for the Content Type Rule in the Policy Creator
   The Policy Creator allows admins to take advantage of reccurring jobs that can securely remove or archive items within the Video Platform. Our recent refinements ensure that rules for specific content types are clearly stated, making it easy to understand the actions that will take place.
   
   

We have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update includes assessment support for the standalone proctoring for students not enrolled in the LMS, AI-enhanced ID verification support for the browser extension, improved third-party integration with Pearson, live monitoring of student devices during proctored tests, and a new UI to enhance the student workflow.

1. Support for Proctoring Tests for Students Who Are Not Enrolled in the LMS
   In certain instances, institutions may require proctored assessments for individuals not enrolled in the institution’s LMS (example: an entrance examination or placement test to the institution). For these cases, instructors now have the option to create standalone proctored assessments that can be sent via email. These assessments are secured with a personalized password and require users to utilize the Lockdown App or Verity Browser Extension to create a secure testing environment. To learn more, please visit our guide on How to Create a Standalone Proctoring Session.
   
2. Verity Browser Extension Now Supports AI-Enhanced ID Verification
   Our optional AI-enhanced facial recognition used for ID Verification is now available for the Verity Browser Extension. This integration allows instructors to seamlessly incorporate authentication capabilities into any proctored assessment with Verity, ensuring a secure match between the test taker and their uploaded ID. Keep in mind that the use of AI-enhanced ID verification is an optional workflow.
   
3. Improved Third-Party Assessment Integration with Pearson
   Verity has expanded its integration with Pearson Assessments with an even tighter and more streamlined third-party assessment integration. Unlike standalone third-party assessments, the improved Pearson integration streamlines the initiation process for students taking a third-party assessment in the Lockdown App.
   
   
4. Auto-Detection for Disconnected or Additional Devices Added
   During an assessment, Verity will monitor all external devices to ensure proctoring restrictions are adhered to. Should devices be added or removed during the assessment, Verity will pause the session and prompt the student to follow essential steps to continue with their assessment.
   
5. Revised Student Workflow for Taking Proctored Assessments
   To enhance the student workflow for taking proctored assessments through the browser extension, we’ve introduced a more intuitive UI that leads students through each step of the process. By guiding students through verifying proctoring restrictions, setting up their recording devices, and using AI-enhanced ID verification, Verity is committed to ensuring a seamless process for students accessing their proctored assessments. In upcoming releases, we will also implement this UI for the Lockdown App.
   

We have successfully pushed an update to the YuJa Website Accessibility Widget for those residing in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Australia.

1. Refreshed Website Accessibility Interface
   The Website Accessibility Widget, designed to improve the usability and accessibility of any website, now offers an improved user interface with a tabular view organizing Color Adjustments, Content Adjustment, and Accessibility Profiles. Select any adjustment or Profile to quickly apply an accessible preset or apply custom granular adjustments for accessibility issues such as text color, background color, font sizing, letter spacing, and so much more.