When authoring content, users are given various activity type options. Each activity type is designed with specific ends in mind and can be used to support various personalized learning models. Review the following activity types to see what is available and how each type can be used.
| Activity Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Assessments are gradable, question-based activities that use questions created by Teachers or linked from question banks. Each question can be aligned with specific objectives in the course, and student performance on objectives can be used to make formative and remediation assessments. Students are required to complete assessments according to conditions set by the course author and submit all answers at once. Assessments are automatically graded and can be password protected. |
| Assignment | Assignments are gradable activities created using a rich text editor. Students complete assignment activities in their own time and are expected to indicate completion according to conditions set by the course author (e.g., attach a file to a Dropbox, enter findings in a text box). Assignments can also be set up to accompany non-digital submissions. |
| Blog | Blogs are assigned writing exercises seen by the authoring student, the Teacher, and all members of the course (unless it is organized by groups, in which case each student can access only the blogs in his or her group). Visitors can comment on blogs to encourage discussion and collaboration. |
| Custom Activity | Custom Activities allow users to embed SCORM activities, display external web sites, or create gradable activities using styles and scripts that aren't available with Connexus EMS authoring tools. Because it provides greater customization options, these are best suited for advanced users. |
| Discussion | Discussions allow users to create a learning activity in which students can respond to a prompt and interact with other students as part of focused conversation threads. All course members can add to and access the thread unless it is organized into groups, in which case each student can access only his or her group's threads. |
| Embed Code | Embed Code to create an activity using HTML; most often, these are HTML snippets provided by other sites. By default, this item is not gradable; users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |
| File Attachment | Quickly upload a document for students. By default, this item is not gradable; users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |
| Google Drive Document | Use a Google Drive Document as an activity. The Google Drive must be configured for use. By default, this item is not gradable; users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |
| IMS Package | IMS content packages contain simple learning content and metadata created in accordance with international standards. Pearson Connexus allows users to import IMS packages (including common cartridges and QTI questions) or SCORM packages into a user's courses. |
| Journal | Journals are assigned writing exercises that only the authoring student, the Teacher, and the student's Parent or other Observer can access. |
| Peer Assessment | Peer Assessments allow students to evaluate their peers' performance using a rubric provided by the Teacher. |
| Practice Questions (formerly Homework) | Practice Questions are gradable, question-based activities that use questions created by the Teacher or linked question banks. This activity is similar to assessments. Unlike assessments, students can submit, review, and retake each question one at a time. For instant feedback, this activity should only contain automatically graded questions. |
| Project | Projects allow users to quickly and easily create robust and organized project activities. Users can automatically include a Discussion, Blog, Wiki, or Journal, as well as add additional components. |
| Rich-Text Activity | This activity type is best suited for delivering information. It allows course authors to create activities using a rich text editor. By default, this item is not gradable. Users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |
| RSS Feed | RSS Feed activities compile and summarize content associated with a specific subject or website. Course authors build RSS Feeds by linking to existing RSS Feeds that students can access directly in Pearson Connexus. |
| Survey | Link to surveys built using external tools like SurveyMonkey. |
| Website Link | Link to websites for students. By default, this item is not gradable; users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |
| Wiki | Wikis allow users to create collaborative writing exercises which can be edited by the Teacher and all students in a course. All members can also see a history of revisions and who made them. |
| YouTube Video | Embed a YouTube video for students. By default, this item is not gradable; users can make it gradable using the activity editor. |