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May 5, 2023
YuJa Panorama Digital Accessibility Platform – “Glacier Peak” Version Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Canadian Zones European Union Zones Panorama for Digital Accessibility United States ZonesWe 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 the use of Panorama without the browser extension In D2L Brightspace, expanded support for HTML formats, new infrastructure to support zero downtime during product updates, support for Moodle 4.1, improvements to the WYSIWYG editor, sharing and uploading capabilities for the Panorama Content Repository, our new Roster Management and Scope setting capabilities, assign sub-admins to hierarchical accounts, new Storage Reports, automatic accessibility scans, and more.
- D2L Brightspace Does Not Require the Browser Extension
We have expanded our partnership with D2L’s Business Development Team and worked together to eliminate the need for the Browser Extension. All Panorama’s tools, including reports and alternative formats, are now accessible in D2L Brightspace without requiring the use of the Panorama browser extension. Please contact your Customer Success Manager to use this new integration. - Expanded Support for HTML Formats and Reports Inside D2L Brightspace
We now support HTML formats and reports in the D2L Lessons View, allowing Panorama to access even more areas of D2L Brightspace. With these enhancements, administrators, and instructors will benefit from increased accuracy in accessibility scores for both institution and course-level reporting.
- View Reports and Alternative Formats for HTML Content Within the Panorama LTI App
Previously, HTML reports were only accessible within the location of their respective file. We have now broadened Panorama’s ability to assess the accessibility of institutions by taking into consideration Accessibility Scores for files and embedded HTML content. This updated functionality allows Panorama to precisely evaluate the accessibility of an institution’s content when generating Institution Reports and individual Course Reports during scans. - Zero Downtime During Releases
Previously, a brief period of downtime was required for updates to appear on Panorama. We are pleased to announce that we have implemented a zero downtime release cycle, ensuring users have uninterrupted access to Panorama. - Panorama Now Supports Moodle 4.1
In continuing to ensure Panorama is available to all our users, we’re pleased to announce our latest support for Moodle 4.1.
- Real-Time Color Contrast Ratio Detection within WYSIWYG Editor
To provide Content Creators with a high degree of contrast accuracy, Panorama will now calculate the contrast ratio between text and background color. With ratios ranging from 1 to 21, content creators can confidently select the color that provides the most sufficient contrast.
- Improved Contrast Detection for Gradient Background
To provide accessible content, we’ve improved Panorama’s ability to detect when there isn’t enough contrast between the text and gradient backgrounds.
- New Real-Time HTML Header Checks within WYSIWYG Editor
As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure comprehensive accessibility checks for our WYSIWYG editor, we have implemented new measures to identify missing table headers and skipped heading orders. These checks are essential in ensuring content is accurately labeled and defined for individuals who utilize accessibility tools such as screen readers.
- Improved Upload and Sharing Capabilities for the Content Repository
To make sharing and uploading content more convenient for users, we have introduced a new feature that enables users to drag and drop files directly into their personal content repository. Additionally, users can now share items via email, allowing for seamless and effortless content-sharing with any individual.
- Panorama Will Accurately Identify User Roles Across Courses and Distinguish Between User Role and Course Role
We are pleased to announce that Panorama has been updated to provide complete accuracy in identifying user roles across courses in an LMS. With this enhancement, Panorama now detects the user’s specific role in each course, allowing for seamless navigation and appropriate access levels within each course. This means if a user is an instructor in one course and a student in another, Panorama will automatically recognize the user and assign the appropriate user role. - New Roster Management to Manage Users and Adjust User Role Mapping
We are pleased to announce the addition of our new Roster Management tab, which provides administrators with a comprehensive list of all users associated with their institution. The tab displays each user’s role within the institution, whether it be Admin, Sub-Admin, Instructor, or Student. Administrators can easily adjust role mappings through the Roster Management tab to provide users with customized access to Panorama’s role-specific features.
- Assign Hierarchical Accounts to Sub-Admins
Our latest role mapping feature allows administrators to assign LMS hierarchical accounts to sub-admins, allowing them access to view institutions, issues, content, and storage reports for all courses within their assigned accounts. With this feature, administrators can delegate tasks efficiently to review the accessibility content of their institution. For detailed instructions on assigning sub-accounts to sub-admins, please visit our guide on Assigning Sub-Accounts to Sub-Admins in the Panorama Platform.
- Upload Improved Documents to Canvas from Course Reports
To facilitate the seamless upload of improved documents within Canvas, users will no longer have to refresh their Canvas environment for uploaded documents to appear. This functionality ensures that any uploaded documents within the Course Report will automatically be reflected in the corresponding documents within Canvas. Unfortunately, this feature will only be available in Canvas due to LMS restrictions.
- Access Comprehensive Storage Reports at a Glance
To help administrators manage their storage usage, Panorama now provides a new Storage Report containing a summary of key storage details, which can be filtered by term or sub-accounts. These details include the average file size, total storage used, the number of files processed, and a breakdown of file sizes based on the document type. This allows administrators to gain a clear overview of their institution’s storage usage and manage their storage resources more efficiently.
- Enhanced UI & Instant Reports Analysis for Scope Settings
We have enhanced the user interface and functionality of our Scope Settings to enable the Panorama LTI app to scan and evaluate the accessibility of courses instantly. The updated display now features a straightforward toggle switch that can be easily adjusted from Visible to Hidden for any course. By adding and designating courses as either Visible or Hidden, Panorama is now able to generate all analytical reports without requiring administrators to access each course individually.
- Automatic Accessibility Scans for New Courses
Administrators have the option to set up regular scans each night to find newly created courses. Any detected course will automatically be sent for processing, allowing administrators to keep up with accessibility reports for their institution. If administrators prefer, they also have the option to scan for new courses manually every hour.
- D2L Brightspace Does Not Require the Browser Extension
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May 2, 2023
Software Capture for PC – Minor Update v12.1.5.0 Released to US, CAN, AU, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones European Union Zones Software Capture for PC app Uncategorized United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed a minor update for Software Capture for PC to all instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update provides enhancements to the fleet management configuration file, improved previewing for live sessions, resolved profile selection issues, and resolved concerns related to monitors without default displays.
- Enhanced Fleet Management Capabilities to Allow Remote Software Capture Setup for Non-Classroom Deployments
Building upon our large-scale remote deployments, institutions can now pre-configure their Software Capture using configuration files without the need to auto-register the Software Capture application to the Video Platform’s Devices tab (previously remote configuration with the config sidecar file required registration). To learn how to download, edit, and deploy the configuration file for your institution, please refer to our guide on Auto-Registering and Configuring the Software Capture Application for PC.
- Improved Performance for Remote Preview Monitoring
We’ve fixed an issue that was causing previews to not appear in the Admin Panel for some institutions.
- Resolved Profile Selection Issues for Remote and Manual Sessions
We have identified instances where automated sessions were not applying user profiles, and some users encountered difficulties when selecting their default profile. We have resolved these issues to ensure users can transition seamlessly between their profiles for remote and manual sessions.
- Automated Sessions Will Now Detect Monitors With No Recommended Resolutions
In some cases, automated sessions would fail if the primary monitor did not have a recommended resolution. We have resolved this issue to allow the Software Capture application to identify such monitors and begin the automated session.
- Enhanced Fleet Management Capabilities to Allow Remote Software Capture Setup for Non-Classroom Deployments
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April 28, 2023
YuJa Verity Test Proctoring Platform – “Kainite” Version Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones European Union Zones United States Zones YuJa VerityWe have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update includes the beta version for Verity Lockdown, monitoring external tools with Verity, the option to create practice tests, and a new Assessment tab to view all tests.
- New Verity Lockdown App (Beta) Available as Part of Standard Offering
Building on the capability of our Verity Chrome extension, the Verity Lockdown Browser sets a new standard in secure testing for remote proctoring. By using an application-based testing environment grants us the freedom and flexibility to surpass the limitations of third-party browser extensions, allowing us to more deeply monitor the activity of students.The browser will prevent students from viewing other applications on their device and enforce strict measures to prevent common methods of bypassing proctor settings. This feature can easily be accessed and enabled for each test, allowing the instructor to decide the level of security they wish to apply on a per-test basis. The beta launch will only be supported for Canvas, with the full launch being available to Blackboard SaaS, D2L Brightspace, and Moodle users.
- Dedicated Workflow to Create Practice Verity Tests in Canvas and D2L Brightspace
Verity now offers an improved workflow to launch practice tests for instructors seeking to familiarize themselves with our Platform’s proctored test functionality. With a click of a button, Verity automatically generates a test complete with predefined Proctor Settings and curated questions. To learn how to create a practice test, please visit our support guide for Canvas or D2L Brightspace. Our next release will provide Blackboard SaaS and Moodle users with practice tests.
- Monitor External Tool Assessments with Verity
Verity can be enabled for assessments embedded as external tools within Canvas. This significant enhancement enables instructors to seamlessly create quizzes and assignments outside their Learning Management System while taking advantage of Verity’s monitoring capabilities to record students as they complete their assessments. To learn how to incorporate External Tools with Verity, please visit our guide on How to Use Verity to Proctor a Third-Party Exam in Canvas.
- New Assessment Tab to View All Verity Tests
Instructors can access a comprehensive list of all Verity-proctored tests associated with a course by navigating to the Assessment tab within the Verity LTI app. From there, instructors can access test results and navigate to test settings to make adjustments.
- New Verity Lockdown App (Beta) Available as Part of Standard Offering
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April 24, 2023
Software Capture for Apple – Update v7.0.2 Released to US, CAN, AU, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones European Union Zones Software Capture for Apple United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update for Software Capture for Apple to all instances residing in the US, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update provides our users with improved viewing of recording devices, the option to enable live streaming during profile creation, improved backend servers for live sessions, improvements in monitoring crash reports, and several bug fixes and optimizations.
- Refreshed Confidence Monitor UI for Multi-Stream Profiles
The Software Capture for Apple’s Confidence Monitor has been upgraded to offer an improved multi-source viewing experience, allowing for seamless monitoring of up to four connected video or screen devices, as well as two audio sources, all within a single view.
- Improved Internal Monitoring and Issue Analysis CapabilitiesWe have implemented updates that allow for efficient Product team analysis of issues that may occur in the fields. The Software Capture application now offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities, enabling our Support and Product teams to accurately identify and provide effective solutions to issues that may arise.
- Create Live Stream Profiles from Software Capture Settings
Mirroring our Software Capture for PC profile settings, we now offer a more streamlined approach to configuring profiles for live streaming. With this update, users can seamlessly configure their preferred capture settings and enable live streaming for their selected profile.
- Upgraded the Backend Library for Stability and Fault Tolerance
We have upgraded our internal structure for live streaming to provide a smoother and more reliable experience.
- Optimization and Bug Fixes
We have optimized the performance of the YuJa Software Capture application and made 25+ bug fixes to improve the user experience.
- Refreshed Confidence Monitor UI for Multi-Stream Profiles
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April 17, 2023
YuJa Engage Student Response System Update – “Jasper” Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones Engage Student Response System European Union Zones United States ZonesWe 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 poll activation workflow, SSO and LMS dual integration, LMS gradebook sync when sharing questions individually, download poll results, removed time limit for Surveys, and overall improvements to the platform.
- Improved Poll Activation Workflow
We have implemented a revised workflow that offers a complete list of Polls within the Engage dashboard. This enables instructors to access their saved Polls easily, decide if they would like to activate them in a course, and select how they would like to release the Poll (i.e. choose to release individual questions or release all questions together).
- Enhanced Panel Layout for the Poll Activation Dashboard
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the user interface and improve the overall experience for instructors, we have made adjustments to the panel sizes on the Poll activation dashboard. This update aims to prioritize Poll questions and ensure their clear visibility while displaying essential information, including responses, attempt breakdowns, and participant activity feed.
- Support for SAML-Based Single Sign-On Integration
We are pleased to announce that our YuJa Engage integration has been enhanced to support SAML-based single-sign-on integration. The integration will link the usernames and emails to a Single Sign-On (SSO) and Learning Management System (LMS). As a result, the Engage platform can now identify individual users regardless of whether they access the system using their SSO or LMS login credentials.
- LMS Gradebook Sync for Each Question
Building upon our gradebook sync integration for Polls, instructors can now seamlessly share individual questions with their students and receive real-time updates on the LMS gradebook. Results automatically sync to the gradebook as students complete each individual question, safeguarding their responses against any network errors that may arise during usage on mobile devices.
- Downloadable Results for Polls
In providing a comprehensive offline viewing of Poll results, instructors can download an XLSX file containing a list of students, the overall result for each student, the IP address for the student’s device, and individual responses to questions.
- Removed Time Limit from Surveys
We have removed the option to add a time limit when creating a survey. Instead, instructors can end the survey and view the results whenever they choose.
- 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:
- Enhanced responsiveness of the student dashboard across multiple screen sizes.
- Fixed an issue that prevented Poll responses from updating dynamically.
- Refined layout for certain UI items across the platform.
- Improved Poll Activation Workflow
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April 14, 2023
Enterprise Video Platform Update – “Vitex Tree” Released to US Zones
Enterprise Video Platform United States ZonesWe have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States. For a complete summary of the release, please refer to the corresponding release tag.
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April 3, 2023
YuJa Verity Test Proctoring Platform – “Jade” Version Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones European Union Zones United States Zones YuJa VerityWe have successfully pushed an update to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update includes enhancements to the UI for Verity Quiz settings, the ability to create and save custom quiz profiles, a new live-proctoring dashboard for students, an option to download proctored sessions, and support for Moodle version 4.1.
- Instructors Can Create and Save Custom Proctoring Profiles
Instructors can now supports the creation of custom profiles for their proctoring settings. These profiles can be easily accessed and applied immediately to an upcoming proctored test.
- New Intuitive Button Layout for Proctor Settings
We have updated the UI to provide a modern look for instructors and optimized how they view and interact with settings. By introducing an intuitive button layout, we have made it simple for instructors to navigate through all proctor settings with ease. With a few clicks, instructors can effortlessly apply desired settings to their proctored tests.
- Live-Proctoring Dashboard for Students
Building upon our previous update for the instructor dashboard, the Live-Proctoring Dashboard for students provides steps to authenticate themselves for test sessions and a dynamic panel showcasing upcoming live tests. Students can easily register for upcoming sessions by selecting their preferred timeslot before the start of the test.
- Download Verity Recordings
Instructors and admins now have the option to access a downloadable version of proctored sessions for offline viewing. A download link can be requested from the specific session they wish to review, and it will be conveniently delivered to their email inbox.
- Support for Moodle Version 4.1
We are pleased to announce that Moodle admins can now enable Verity for Moodle version 4.1. To learn how to install Verity on your Moodle platform, please visit our guide on Integrating the Video Platform into Moodle. If Verity is already installed on your Moodle platform, no extra steps are required, and you may update your platform.
- Instructors Can Create and Save Custom Proctoring Profiles
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March 31, 2023
YuJa Panorama Digital Accessibility Platform – “Francs Peak” Version Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Canadian Zones European Union Zones Panorama for Digital Accessibility United States ZonesWe 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 gradient reader and optical character recognition for alternative formats, new “silent courses” for Panorama, accessibility scores for GIFs, support for OpenOffice, options to filter institution reports by sub-accounts and terms, view a breakdown of all courses in the institution report, choose to enable the WYSIWYG editor, and improved text formatting and report generation.
- New Gradient Reader to Provide Focused Reading by Eliminating Unnecessary Eye Movements
To enhance visual word recognition, the new Gradient reader is designed to reduce distractions and increase the reader’s focus by providing a guiding color gradient. The gradient facilitates a smooth shift between lines of text, eliminating unnecessary eye movements when reading.
- AI-Powered Text Recognition for Scanned Documents and Images That Contain Handwritten or Digital Text
Any documents containing images and GIFs with text can now be converted into a digital format that can be processed by screen readers and searched electronically. Whether it’s handwritten or digital text, Panorama’s optical character recognition (OCR) engine can provide fast conversions for entire documents. New capabilities with this engine include:
- PDF from Scanned Documents – Creates a PDF document that allows text in images and GIFs to be searched and read aloud by screen readers.
- Plain Text from Scanned Content – Recommended for those who’d like plain text, Panorama will extract and display text within images and GIFs as a plain text (TXT) file.
- Audio Podcast from Scanned Content – Auditory learners can use the OCR tool to extract text within images and GIFs into an MP3 text-to-speech audio player.
- PDF from Scanned Documents – Creates a PDF document that allows text in images and GIFs to be searched and read aloud by screen readers.
- Support of Departments and Sub-Accounts for Reporting and Analytics
Panorama now offers admins comprehensive insights into the accessibility of their institution. We now offer the option to filter analytics through sub-accounts, organizations sharing an LMS across multiple schools can select specific institutions from which to access and download reports. Moreover, sub-accounts can be used by organizations with multiple branches and be filtered by term to narrow analytic reports for key areas of interest, providing institutions with accessibility data points over a specified period of time.
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- Add Silent Courses to Conceal Panorama from Students While Instructional Staff Review Accessibility Concerns
Admins can now add a Silent course to allow instructors to view all analytic reports and adjust the accessibility of their documents while ensuring that Panorama is not visible to enrolled students.
- Ability to Identify Potentially Harmful GIFs Using New Accessibility Engine Built to Analyze Color Intensity and Transitions
To foster a more inclusive digital experience that extends beyond traditional documents, Panorama will now produce Accessibility Reports for GIFs. By analyzing the intensity of color transitions between frames, Panorama can flag GIFs that have the potential to pose a risk to the well-being of individuals.
- Support for OpenOffice Documents Including ODT, ODP, ODS, RTF, XLSX, and XLS
Our OpenOffice users will be pleased to know that we now support ODT, ODP, ODS, RTF, XLSX, and XLS documents for Alternative Formats and Accessibility Reports.
- Downloadable Institution Report Offers Breakdown by Course
Downloading the Institution Report now allows administrators to view monthly accessibility scores, the least and most accessible courses, and a breakdown of files processed for each course.
- Connect to the Browser Extension with a Click of a Button
For institutions using the Browser Extension, connecting Panorama to the Browser Extension has now become even easier. Previously, first-time users would have had to launch Panorama within a new tab, but we’ve simplified the process with a one-click connection. Now, all you have to do is download the browser extension, click Connect, and let Panorama enhance documents and improve website accessibility.
- Enable the Prefered WYSIWYG Editor
Admins can now customize which WYSIWYG editor they wish to use in their LMS. Choose to enable the Panorama checker, the default LMS checker, or enable/disable both.
- Optimized Delivery Time for Alternative Formats
We have optimized our conversions for Alternative Formats to provide up to 60% faster delivery times. - Improved Text Formatting
Institutions with large data points for graphs will notice a more optimized UI when information is displayed.
- Optimized Pre-Generated Reports
We have enhanced pre-generated reports to run more efficiently for institutions.
- New Gradient Reader to Provide Focused Reading by Eliminating Unnecessary Eye Movements
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March 22, 2023
YuJa Engage Student Response System – Update RC20230315 to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones Engage Student Response System European Union Zones United States ZonesWe 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 mobile app for Engage, a dashboard for students, a redesigned Instructor View for sharing Polls, and overall improvements to the platform.
- D2L Brightspace and Moodle LTI 1.3 Integration for Student Response System
D2L and Moodle admins may integrate YuJa Engage for their institution to allow polls and surveys to be created and published directly to desired courses. Students may then access YuJa Engage, participate in polls and surveys, and have their grades synced to the LMS Gradebook. To learn more about the integrations, please visit our support guide on integrating the YuJa Engage platform for D2L Brightspace or Moodle.
- Mobile IOS App for Students
To provide students with on-the-go access to Polls and results, we have released the highly anticipated iOS app for YuJa Engage. Download the app through the App Store to join polls and view results directly from your smartphone. Future updates will provide an Android app for students to download and access Polls.
- New Dashboard Homepage for Students
Students can stay up to date with recent Polls and results through the new dashboard for their homepage. By offering instant viewing of active and past Polls in real-time and the ability to join Polls using codes, students can access everything they need from a single, easy-to-use location.
- New Poll Activation Dashboard for Instructors
We have updated the UI to provide a fresh new look for instructors to view the results of their live Polls. Instructors can see responses to questions as they are completed, a breakdown of attempts, and an Activity Feed of participants in the Poll.
- 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:- Joining a Poll after it has ended will direct the participant to the results page.
- More responsive UI when participating in Polls from a smartphone.
- Faster response time when viewing past Poll results.
- D2L Brightspace and Moodle LTI 1.3 Integration for Student Response System
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March 22, 2023
YuJa Verity Test Proctoring Platform – Update RC20230317 Released to US, CAN, AUS, and EU Zones
Australian Zones Canadian Zones European Union Zones United States Zones YuJa VerityWe have successfully pushed a release to all instances residing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. This update enhances the live-proctoring dashboard for instructors to create human-proctored tests.
- Live-Proctoring Dashboard for Instructors
The Live-Proctoring dashboard provides instructors with tools to manage online tests in real time. Keep track of Past, Upcoming, and Active sessions with a user-friendly interface that allows instructors to see when tests are scheduled and plan accordingly.
- Create Human-Proctored Sessions in Three Simple Steps
Creating a human-proctored session is easy with our simple three-step process:- Create Sessions
- Assign Proctors
- Confirm details
By following these steps, instructors can create reliable and secure human-proctored test sessions. To learn more about creating a human-proctored session, please visit our guide on Creating a YuJa Verity Live-Proctoring Test.
- Live-Proctoring Dashboard for Instructors