# Teacher User Guide

Last Updated: December 2024 | Version: 2.0

This comprehensive guide covers all teaching functions in the Learning Management System. Use this reference to deliver engaging courses, manage student progress, and communicate effectively.

## Dashboard Overview

Your teacher dashboard is your home base for all teaching activities.

### Dashboard Elements

- My Classes: Quick links to all classes you teach, showing enrollment counts and recent activity
- Announcements: View system-wide and class-specific announcements
- Quick Actions: Access grading queue, create announcements, view reports
- Recent Activity: Student submissions, new enrollments, and upcoming deadlines
- Calendar: View class schedules and important dates

💡 Tip: Check your dashboard daily to stay on top of student submissions and class activity. The dashboard shows real-time updates for all your classes.

## Your Teacher Profile

### Profile Management

- Update Profile: Add bio, credentials, and professional information
- Upload Photo: Add a professional headshot visible to students
- Add Links: Include office hours link, professional website, or contact info
- Change Password: Update your login credentials anytime

### Profile Information Students See

- Your name and photo
- Professional credentials and bio
- Office hours and availability
- Contact links you've shared

## Class Management

### Viewing Your Classes

- All assigned classes appear on your dashboard
- Click any class to open the full class management page
- Filter by active, upcoming, or past classes
- Search classes by name or code

### Class Settings

- Rename Class: Update class title as needed
- Class Description: Add or edit course overview
- Discussion Board: Enable/disable class discussions
- Checklist: Add course requirements checklist for students

### Student Roster

- View all enrolled students
- Click student name to view their profile and grades
- Export roster to CSV for record-keeping
- View student progress and completion status
- Send email to individual students or entire class

### Class Preview

- Preview class as students see it
- Verify content displays correctly
- Test navigation and links
- Check drip schedule visibility

## Course Content Management

### Course Materials Overview

Teachers can add various types of content to create comprehensive learning experiences:

### Lectures

- Add Lecture: Create lecture titles with optional descriptions
- Supported Formats: PDFs, PowerPoints (PPTX), images, documents
- PowerPoint Conversion: System automatically converts PPTX to web-friendly format
- Edit Lectures: Update titles, descriptions, or replace files
- Delete Lectures: Remove outdated or incorrect materials
- Reorder Content: Arrange lectures in logical sequence

### Video Content

- YouTube Integration: Embed YouTube videos by URL
- Video Uploads: Upload video files directly (MP4, WebM)
- Video Links: Link to external video hosting platforms

### Assignments

- Create Assignment: Add title, instructions, and due date
- Assignment Types: Essays, projects, presentations, research papers
- Submission Method: File upload or text submission
- Edit Assignments: Update instructions or extend deadlines
- Delete Assignments: Remove assignments with confirmation

### Simulations & Practice

- Add Simulations: Create hands-on practice scenarios
- Simulation Links: Link to external simulation platforms
- Instructions: Provide clear guidance for completing simulations
- Edit/Delete: Manage simulation assignments

### External Resources & Links

- Add Resource Links: Link to external articles, websites, tools
- Upload Images: Add thumbnail images to links
- Descriptions: Include context about each resource
- Organize: Group related resources together

### Course Syllabus

- Upload Syllabus: Add course syllabus PDF
- Replace Syllabus: Update with revised version
- Delete Syllabus: Remove if updating format
- Visibility: Syllabus appears prominently in class navigation

💡 Tip: Organize content logically by week or topic. Use clear, descriptive titles so students can easily navigate the course materials.

## Tests & Assessments

### Creating Tests

#### Manual Test Creation

1. Navigate to class and click Create Test
2. Enter test name and optional description
3. Add questions one at a time:
   - Multiple Choice: Add question text and answer options
   - True/False: Simple T/F questions
   - Short Answer: Open-ended text responses
   - Essay: Long-form written responses
4. Mark correct answers for auto-grading (MC & T/F)
5. Add point values to each question
6. Save test

#### CSV Bulk Upload

- Download Template: Get CSV template with correct format
- Fill Template: Add questions, answers, and point values in spreadsheet
- Upload CSV: System imports all questions at once
- Review: Verify questions imported correctly
- Edit: Make adjustments after import if needed

#### Test Library

- Reuse questions from previous tests
- Select questions from test library
- Build tests faster with pre-written questions
- Maintain question bank for future use

#### AI-Generated Tests

- Topic Input: Enter subject matter and learning objectives
- AI Generation: System creates questions based on your input
- Review & Edit: Adjust AI-generated questions as needed
- Mix & Match: Combine AI questions with your own

#### External Tests

- Link to third-party assessment platforms
- Add external test URLs
- Track completion (manual grading required)

### Test Settings

- Test Mode: Formal assessment with no answer feedback
- Study Mode: Practice mode showing correct answers immediately
- Time Limits: Set time constraints for timed exams
- Availability: Schedule when test opens and closes
- Retakes: Allow or limit number of attempts
- Randomize: Shuffle question and answer order

### Question Enhancements

- Add Media: Upload images, diagrams, or charts to individual questions
- Media Upload: Support for JPG, PNG, PDF
- Rich Text: Format questions with bold, italics, lists

### Test Management

- Edit Tests: Modify questions, answers, or settings after creation
- Preview Tests: Take test as a student would see it
- Delete Tests: Remove tests (with confirmation)
- Update Existing Tests: Add/remove questions from published tests

⚠️ Important: If you edit a test after students have taken it, their scores may need manual review. Consider creating a new version instead of editing active tests.

## Grading & Assessment

### Automatic Grading

- Multiple Choice & True/False: Auto-graded instantly when students submit
- Immediate Scores: Students see scores right away (in study mode)
- Grade Calculation: System calculates percentage and letter grade

### Manual Grading

- Essay & Short Answer: Requires manual review and scoring
- Grading Queue: Access all pending submissions from dashboard
- Add Feedback: Provide detailed comments on student work
- Point Assignment: Award points based on rubric
- Save Grades: Submit grades to make them visible to students

### Gradebook

- View All Grades: See all student scores for your class in one view
- Sort & Filter: Organize by student name, grade, or assignment
- Export Grades: Download gradebook to CSV for records
- Print Gradebook: Printer-friendly view for physical records
- Grade Override: Manually adjust final grades if needed

### Individual Student Grades

- Click student name in roster to view their grades
- See all tests, assignments, and overall grade
- View test answers and submissions
- Add grade comments
- Generate individual grade report PDF

### Completion Certificates

- Auto-Generate: System creates certificates when students complete course
- Manual Send: Email certificates to students
- Custom Certificates: Upload personalized certificates for specific students

## Student Management

### Student Profiles

- View comprehensive student information
- See all enrolled classes and grades
- Review student progress and attendance
- View submitted documents and assignments

### Student Actions

- Reset Password: Help students regain access to their accounts
- Send Email: Contact students directly
- View Transcripts: See historical grades and courses
- Track Progress: Monitor completion of lectures and tests

### Attendance Tracking

- Mark Attendance: Record attendance for each class session
- Attendance Report: View attendance history and patterns
- Export Attendance: Download attendance records to CSV
- Update Past Records: Edit attendance if needed

## Communication Tools

### Class Announcements

- Create Announcement: Post updates visible to entire class
- Delete Announcement: Remove outdated messages
- Announcement History: View all past announcements
- Student Visibility: Announcements appear on student dashboards

### Discussion Board

- Enable Discussions: Turn on class forum
- Post Questions: Start discussion topics
- Reply to Students: Engage in conversations
- Moderate: Delete inappropriate posts if needed

### Email Communication

- Individual Emails: Contact students one-on-one from their profile
- Class Emails: Send message to entire class roster
- Email Templates: Use pre-written messages for common communications
- Custom Messages: Write personalized emails

### Mailbox

- View messages from students
- Reply to student inquiries
- Track conversation history
- Archive old messages

💡 Tip: Respond to student emails within 24-48 hours to maintain engagement. Use announcements for information relevant to the entire class, and email for individual matters.

## Reports & Analytics

### Class Reports

- Class Summary: Overview of enrollment, completion rates, and average grades
- Student Progress: Track how far students have advanced in the course
- Grade Distribution: See spread of grades across the class
- Test Performance: Analyze which test questions students struggled with

### Student Reports

- Individual Grade Report: Comprehensive PDF showing all student grades and progress
- Attendance Report: Export attendance records for individual or all students
- Completion Status: Track which students have completed required materials

### Exporting Data

- Gradebook Export: Download all grades to CSV
- Roster Export: Export student list with contact information
- Attendance Export: Download attendance records
- Custom Reports: Select specific data fields to export

## Teaching Tools & Features

### Content Simplification Tool

- Simplify Text: AI-powered tool to make content more accessible
- Reading Level: Adjust complexity for different student levels
- Key Points: Extract main ideas from complex materials

### AI Teaching Assistant

- Generate Content: Create lecture outlines or discussion prompts
- Test Questions: AI-generated assessment questions
- Email Templates: AI-assisted communication drafting

### Drip Schedule

- Schedule Content: Release lectures and tests on specific dates
- Paced Learning: Prevent students from rushing through material
- Automatic Unlock: Content becomes available at scheduled times
- Override: Manually unlock content for specific students if needed

### Class Checklist

- Create course requirements checklist
- Students see what they need to complete
- Track completion automatically
- Update checklist items as needed

## Best Practices for Teachers

### Course Organization

- 📚 Logical Structure: Organize content by week or topic for easy navigation
- 📝 Clear Titles: Use descriptive names for lectures and tests
- 📅 Syllabus First: Upload syllabus before other content so students know what to expect
- 🔄 Regular Updates: Review and update course materials at least once per semester

### Engagement Strategies

- 💬 Active Discussions: Post discussion prompts weekly to encourage participation
- 📧 Regular Communication: Send weekly announcements with updates and reminders
- 👥 Personalize Feedback: Provide specific, constructive comments on all graded work
- 🎯 Clear Expectations: Clearly state assignment requirements and grading criteria

### Grading Efficiency

- ✅ Use Auto-Grading: Leverage multiple choice and T/F questions for quick assessments
- 📊 Rubrics: Create grading rubrics for consistent evaluation
- ⏱️ Timely Feedback: Grade and return work within one week
- 💾 Save Comments: Reuse common feedback for efficiency

### Student Support

- 🕐 Office Hours: Post availability and contact methods in your profile
- 📞 Respond Promptly: Answer student emails within 24-48 hours
- 👀 Monitor Progress: Reach out to students falling behind
- 🎓 Encourage Success: Recognize achievements and improvement

### Content Quality

- 🎥 Multimedia Mix: Use variety of content types (video, text, interactive)
- 📖 Accessibility: Ensure materials are readable and well-organized
- 🔗 Valid Links: Regularly check that external resources still work
- 📄 File Sizes: Keep files reasonably sized for quick loading

### Assessment Best Practices

- 🎯 Align Objectives: Tests should match learning objectives from syllabus
- ⚖️ Balanced Difficulty: Include mix of easy, medium, and challenging questions
- 🔄 Study Mode: Offer practice tests in study mode before graded exams
- 📝 Clear Instructions: Provide detailed directions for all assessments

### Time Management

- ⏰ Set Deadlines: Use consistent due dates (e.g., Sundays at 11:59 PM)
- 📅 Plan Ahead: Schedule content release to avoid last-minute uploads
- ⚡ Batch Tasks: Grade all submissions for one assignment at once
- 🔔 Use Reminders: Set personal reminders for grading deadlines

### Data Privacy & Security

- 🔒 Protect Student Data: Never share student information publicly
- 🔐 Secure Password: Use strong password and log out when finished
- 📱 FERPA Compliance: Follow privacy guidelines for student records
- ✉️ Email Privacy: BCC when emailing multiple students

### Troubleshooting Common Issues

#### Student Can't Access Content

- Check drip schedule - content may not be released yet
- Verify student is properly enrolled in your class
- Ensure content was saved and published
- Ask student to refresh browser or clear cache

#### Grades Not Showing

- Verify you saved the grade after entering it
- Check that test is in "Test Mode" not "Study Mode"
- Ensure essay/short answer questions were manually graded
- Refresh gradebook to see latest updates

#### File Won't Upload

- Check file size - maximum 10MB for most uploads
- Verify file format is supported (PDF, PPTX, JPG, PNG, MP4)
- Try compressing large files or splitting into parts
- Use different browser if upload continues to fail

💡 Pro Tip: Create a course template with standard structure, announcements, and policies. Reuse this template each semester to save setup time.

### Quick Reference Checklists

#### Starting a New Class

1. ✅ Upload course syllabus
2. ✅ Add week 1 lectures and materials
3. ✅ Create first test or assignment
4. ✅ Post welcome announcement
5. ✅ Update your teacher profile
6. ✅ Set up drip schedule (if using)
7. ✅ Enable discussion board
8. ✅ Preview class as student

#### Weekly Teaching Tasks

- ☑️ Check gradebook for pending submissions
- ☑️ Grade and return student work
- ☑️ Post weekly announcement
- ☑️ Reply to student emails and discussion posts
- ☑️ Review upcoming content for next week
- ☑️ Mark attendance (if applicable)

#### End of Course Tasks

- ☑️ Finalize all grades
- ☑️ Send completion certificates
- ☑️ Export final gradebook
- ☑️ Post final announcement with next steps
- ☑️ Archive course materials
- ☑️ Review course for improvements

Need Help? For technical support, feature requests, or questions not covered in this guide, contact your system administrator.

© 2024 Learning Management System | Teacher Guide v2.0