What's New in MyReadingLab?

As is the case with any good technology, MyReadingLab is improving every day. The Pearson Media Team is committed to providing high quality features and content to help instructors teach and students learn. The changes listed below are the result of the feedback we've received from our users—instructors and students alike. Thank you for being part of our team!

Your feedback is valuable to us! Please feel free to email your comments and suggestions to EnglishLabs@pearson.com.

New Enhancements for Winter/Spring 2011!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Pearson is proud to announce our next-generation MyReadingLab. Building on its hallmark features, this new release of MyReadingLab offers an easier-to-use navigation, more personalized assessment (Learning Path), and instructor tools that allow you to customize and report to your outcomes.

Personalized Learning Path. High-level Path Builder diagnostics determine individual student proficiencies at a given level and more importantly, identify areas for remediation, which are then mapped out in a Learning Path for the student to work through towards mastery.
Ability to set prerequisites activities to all assignments. Setting prerequisites ensures that students follow a specific path through the various elements of MyReadingLab. Rather than being able simply to jump in and out of assessments, while skipping the pedagogical content, instructors can require a prescribed course for students through all (or part) of the educational materials. Instructors choose; it's customizable.
Ability to create original assessments and assignments. By previewing and selecting from a topic-based pool of Pearson-developed questions, instructors can build their own homework assignments, quizzes, and tests. They can add their own original questions too!
Ability to easily modify existing diagnostics/assignments. Previewing, removing, and replacing content is now possible via the Activities and Assessments Manager. Copy the assignment and transform it into a custom assessment by selecting only desired passages and questions.
Ability to quickly and easily adjust course coverage. With the click of a mouse, instructors can quickly and easily tailor MyReadingLab to their syllabus by selecting only the modules (levels) and topics they cover in their courses.
Powerful Gradebook. Select from one of four views in the Gradebook (Learning Path, All Assignments, Overview by Student, and Performance by module) to access data in a desired format quickly.
Quick and Advanced Exports provide comprehensive reporting. Student data in the Gradebook can now be downloaded easily into a Microsoft Excel file via the Export Data button. Quick Export provides fast results with basic filtering. Advanced Export offers a more powerful means of downloading content in precisely its desired format.
More intuitive, familiar navigation. The top navigation bar has been replaced by a left-hand navigation tree
Improved accessibility. Pearson is committed to making our content and technology accessible to all users. We've made changes throughout the application so the user interaction is consistent with Section 508 recommendations.
New role for section instructors (teaching assistants). Instructors can now assign "section instructors" (a.k.a., TA status) to course members.
More Gradebook reporting. Administrators can create reports across sections to see progress across a program.
Interactive chat and whiteboard. Chat & ClassLive tools enable instructors and students to engage in synchronous chat and whiteboard sessions.
Enhanced announcements manager. Announcements now have date and time display settings as well as expirations.
Enhanced email manager. A native email manager allows users to more efficiently control course email.
Enhanced document and file sharing. The document sharing tool allows instructors and students to post documents to be shared with the class. Instructors can use document sharing to post their syllabus and other course documents.
Reading Skills Passages and Assessment. Hundreds of new reading passages with assessments have been developed for the extensive bank of discrete skills content. Passages at all levels include (but are not limited to) Education and Earnings, Texting and Emailing while Driving, Success in Modern Business, Disability and Social Justice, Reducing Test Anxiety, Mass Media in the United States, Eating Healthy on College Campuses, Gene Therapy, Managing your Money, Different Cultures at Work, The Dark Side of Consumer Behavior, Our Overwhelmed Listening Capacity, The Debate Over Vaccinations, and The Greenhouse Effect.
Vocabulary Development Topic. This new topic in the Reading Skills section features instructional and assessment content as well as new clickable flashcards. Look for more words and definitions being added throughout 2012!
Audio Glossaries. Glossary terms now contain corresponding audio to meet 508 guidelines, and help support ESL/ELL learners.
New eText Options. Early in 2012, five new eTexts will be available in both MyReadingLab and the Pearson eText app. See Books Available for available titles.

New Enhancements for Summer 2011!

Ability to assign topics. Instructors now have the ability to assign/require Study topics (Reading Skills content) and diagnostic tests with due dates.
Course calendar. Students and instructors can now view assignment details and due dates on a course calendar. The Calendar view provides icons to indicate when assignments are due, complete, or past due. When copying a course, instructors can choose whether or not to copy required topics and diagnostics in new courses. Further, instructors can choose to retain the original due dates or copy the required topics and diagnostics with no due date.
New gradebook report. The new "Required Work Detail" report shows results by topic for each student on work that the Instructor has required. Students can also see lateness indicated in their Student Detail report.
Improved accessibility. Pearson is committed to making our content and technology accessible to all users. We've made changes throughout the application in line with Section 508 recommendations.
Reading Level (Lexiles) Content. 30 new Lexile passages augment the Reading Level content library. As with all of our Lexile readings, each new passage includes a Cloze items quiz and a combined reading skills quiz.
Reading Skills Passages and Assessment. New readings, practices, and tests augment several topics in the Reading Skills area of the program.
Vocabulary Development Topic. This new topic in the Reading Skills section features review material, practices, and tests to help students acquire new vocabulary.
Glossaries. In the Review Materials area, each topic now includes a glossary of terms that are relevant to the topic.

New Enhancements for Winter 2010/2011!

Selective release of content. Instructors can choose to release exercises based on a number of possible criteria. For example, an instructor can choose to release Test exercises only after the student has completed at least one Practice exercise or once mastery is achieved on the Practice exercises.
More class and student data in the Gradebook. The Class Summary report now includes a summary score for every topic in one view. The Student Detail now includes performance metrics for each topic.
Precise tracking of student submissions. The calendar and gradebook will display student submission dates based on time zone choices. Coming spring 2011!!!
New Watch animations. Instructional animations have been added to all reading skills topics, covering multiple objectives, reflecting a new design and a more visual approach.
Additional practice and test sets. New sets help students improve mastery of Stated Main Idea, Implied Main Idea, 10 individual Patterns of Organization, Outlining and Mapping, and Summarizing and Paraphrasing. Sets will continue to be added to other topics throughout 2011.
Reading Level (Lexile) content. Thirty contemporary Reading Level passages and combined skills quizzes round out our popular Lexile content. Additional passages and quizzes will be added throughout 2011.
Narrated Overview and Model content. We have added audio narrations of the new Overview and Model content for all topics and levels.
New eText courses. We're launching eight new MyReadingLab products with eTexts for spring/summer courses.
Section 508-influenced content. Instructional content has been redeveloped in consideration of section 508 recommendations, including screen reader accessibility. Pearson is committed to making our technology and content accessible to all users.

New Enhancements for Summer 2010!

Larger Window for Readings. The window size for reading selections has been increased to display more text and make reading easier for students.
Course Deletion. Instructors can delete courses permanently. The option to archive still exists.
Section 508-influenced content. Media resources and instructional content have been redeveloped in consideration of Section 508 recommendations, including screen reader accessibility. Pearson is committed to making our technology and content accessible to all users.
New reading skills, practices, and tests. More than fifty new passages with Practice and Test activities for select Reading Skills topics.
Reading Level (Lexile) content. Thirty new contemporary Reading Level passages and combined skills quizzes.
Learning Objectives. Learning objectives are now available for every Reading Skills topic. Students and instructors can see these as the first asset under Review Materials in each topic.
Recall-style Quizzes. New "Recall" quizzes (testing comprehension of the instructional content) have been added for every reading skills topic. This feature will give instructors a measure for determining if students spent time on the Review Materials before moving on to their Activities.
Expanded coverage of Main Idea. Main Idea has been split into two more comprehensive topics: "Stated Main Idea" and "Implied Main Idea."
Enhanced coverage of Outlining and Summarizing. Outlining and Summarizing has been split into two new topics: "Outlining and Mapping" and "Summarizing."
New Patterns of Organization coverage. In addition to developing a combined patterns topic that covers all nine core patterns, we have added nine individual Patterns of Organization topics. Each new topic has learning objectives, narrated overviews and models, recall quizzes, practices, tests.
New Flash Animations. We've developed new, topic-based animations to cover more granular topics and objectives. We will continue augmenting the program with these throughout the year.
MyReadingLab (Florida Edition). This special version, carefully developed with instructors from Florida, includes practice exams, two new topics, and other features specifically designed to help students prepare for the Florida Exit Exam. It is available for fall 2010 courses.

New Enhancements for Winter 2009/2010!

Tracking of total time on task. Total time on task (total time a student spends on assessments) is now available from the Class Summary page in the Gradebook.
Posting notes or announcements. Instructors can now post a note or announcement on the Home page in the MyCourse portlet.
Ability to reset student scores. Instructors now have the ability to reset all scores for a student rather than by individual topic.
New topic: "Pattern of Organization: Time Order." A new topic, focusing solely on the Time Order pattern of organization, has been added with corresponding overview, model, practice exercises and tests. Time Order is now covered in both the combined pattern of organization topic and in this new dedicated topic.
New topic: "Pattern of Organization: Spatial Order." A new topic, focusing solely on the Spatial Order pattern of organization, has been added with corresponding overview, model, practice exercises and tests. Spatial Order is now covered in both the combined pattern of organization topic and in this new dedicated topic.
Learning Objectives. Learning objectives will be added for each topic throughout the spring.
New eText courses. We're launching five new MyReadingLab products with eTexts for 2010 spring/summer courses.
Comprehensive content review. We continued with our annual content review to ensure our content is accurate and effective.

New Enhancements for Summer 2009!

eBooks. Electronic, interactive versions of Pearson's most popular reading textbooks are now integrated with MyReadingLab. Your students' personal study plans will now link them directly to the appropriate section in their textbook giving them the information they need when they need it most. Our new eBook platform, the most powerful in the industry, allows you to highlight, take and share notes, search, and much more!
Integrated "help tips." Tips for using MyReadingLab have been integrated throughout making it easy for users to get help with the most commonly used features.
More research support. Pearson's MySearchLab™ has replaced Research Navigator™. Complete with extensive help on the research process and four databases of credible and reliable source material, MySearchLab ™ helps students quickly and efficiently make the most of their research time. Students now have access to a writing space ("Greenbook"), a bibliography builder, various tutorials and videos on writing, research, and avoiding plagiarism, a comprehensive grammar guide and an online handbook.
New Reading Level (Lexile) readings. Thirty new Lexile reading passages with diagnostics and combined-skills quizzes have been added.
Reading Level (Lexile) practice. Once a student reaches the highest Lexile level all of the readings at the highest level are made available to them for practice so they can continue to develop their reading skills.
Narrated Overview and Model content. Audio narrations of the Overview and Model content is now available for all topics and levels.
Additional Practice and Test content. Additional assessment content is available for the Inference topic. The assessment content has been augmented for the Main Idea and Supporting Details topic.
Comprehensive content review. We've continued with our annual content review in an ongoing effort to make sure our content is error-free and effective.

New Enhancements for Winter 2008/2009!

Emailing students. Instructors now have the ability to email all students in their roster at one time in addition to emailing students individually.
Upload and attach documents. Instructors can upload and attach documents. There is a new section on the instructor Home to post documents, such as a syllabus.
Number or attempts recorded in gradebook. The gradebook now reports the number of sets attempted by a student on the student detail page. This information is provided in parentheses next to the score.
Number of Lexile readings attempted recorded in gradebook. The Reading Level gradebook now shows the number of readings attempted in addition to the student's current and initial Lexile Levels.
Streamlined Overview and Model content. MyReadingLab's instructional content and design has been carefully reviewed and edited for clarity and usefulness.
Narrated Overview and Model content. Students can now click on an audio icon to listen to this instructional content.
New Reading Animations. New interactive Flash animations illustrate key topics, and each includes a short self-quiz at the end.
Longer calendar notes. The character limit on calendar notes has been increased by 400%.
Comprehensive content review. We've launched a comprehensive content review/edit in an ongoing effort to make sure our content is error-free and effective.

New Enhancements for Summer 2008!

New Reading Level (Lexile) readings. Thirty new readings and exercise sets have been added to the Reading Level readings.
New audio-visual animations. Fifteen new audio-video animations have been added for select Reading Skills topics.
Status of readings. The status ("Not started," "In Progress" or "Completed") of Reading Level readings will be indicated to the student.
Streamlined and easier registration. Steps have been eliminated from the registration pages, the required steps have been updated to be easier-to-use for students, the text has been evaluated for readability and help documents and videos have been added to assist students.
Control over mastery settings. Instructors now have a control in their Settings that allows them to choose whether mastery is based on highest score or most recent score. The Gradebook will default to whichever setting is chosen.
Selective release of content. Instructors have a new control that allows them to selectively release Test content to a student after the student completes a certain number of practice sets.
Easier process for resetting alerts. The application now includes a more direct way to reset exercises when the instructor receives an alert.
Content preview from Study Plan. Instructors now have the ability to preview content via the Study Plan without needing to complete the exercises in the Student View.
Information provided on the number of exercise sets. The Instructor View of the Study Plan now displays the number of exercise sets available for each topic.
Password protected diagnostics. Instructors now have controls that allow them to assign a unique password to each diagnostic. This will allow instructors to control when students can take their diagnostics.
Notification if students moving between courses. When a student moves between two courses for the same product (or from standalone into a course), the instructor will be notified via a pop up
Integrated help. Help documentation for key features is now available to students and instructors on specific pages of the application.
Comprehensive content review. We've launched a comprehensive content review/edit in an ongoing effort to make sure our content is error-free and effective.

New Enhancements for Winter 2007/2008!

User Guides and Help. Instructors and students will find comprehensive User Guides and Registration Guides available at www.myreadinglab.com/help.html. Additionally, the Help link within MyReadingLab has been populated with easy-to-navigate and effective content to help users find answers to their questions when they need them. The Help link can be found in the top right of the screen when logged into MyReadingLab.
Access to more Reading Level readings. Students now have access to all readings and levels from the Reading Level side of the application.
Improved instructor alert. Instructors are now notified when a student is down to two readings for a particular level on the Reading Level side. This allows the instructor to work with that student if necessary. Additionally, students are given the ability to move to previous or next level.
Alert and mastery icons/text. The icons and text associated with alerts and mastery have been revised to be more clear and encouraging to the student.
Ability to reset exercises. Instructors now have the ability to reset exercises from the Alerts page. Additionally, the "Clear" button has been changed to "Archive" to be more consistent with the actual functionality.
Improved navigation. The "Return" button at the bottom of the class roster page now directs the user to the page they last came from instead of always returning them to the settings page.
History of all exercises in student gradebook. Students can now view and print a history of all their exercises.
More details included in gradebook export. Course name, course section and instructor's name are now included in the gradebook export.
Access to Pearson's 24/7 Technical Support (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com) from every screen.
More usable interface for Pearson's 24/7 Technical Support (http://247pearsoned.custhelp.com).

New Enhancements for Summer 2007!

Ability to turn Reading Level on or off. Instructors have the ability to in the course settings to enable or disable their students' access to Reading Level content.
Increased usability through improved display of content. The display of readings and review materials is more narrow and consistent with common usability standards specifically developed for low literacy users.
The font size of readings and review materials can be adjusted up or down. This feature is particularly valuable for the visually impaired.
A Print view for all readings and review materials has been added so users can see an entire piece of text in one view.
"Student View" for instructors. "Student View" and "Teacher View" links have been added to the header of every page allowing instructors to see what their students see.
Easier-to-use instructor Study Plan page. The initial page for the instructor Study Plan has a more accessible interface and better explains all options available to the instructor.
Easier-to-use course builder. The course builder "Choose a Course" page now allows instructors to view all book specific courses or all generic courses.
More flexible diagnostics. Instructors now have the option to choose the topics they want included in the diagnostics and the pre-tests they want to require.
Improved navigation within diagnostics. A "Next" button has been added to the end of each required diagnostic. Using this button returns students to the "Diagnostics Required" Page, where they can select another required diagnostic.
Exercise resetting. Instructors receive an alert when a student exhausts all of the exercises for a particular topic without achieving mastery. The instructor now has the ability to reset the exercises so the student can take them again and continue to work on mastering the topic. Resetting an exercise clears any associated alerts.
Most recent, highest and average scores in gradebook. Users can now choose to view scores on their most recently attempted set, their highest scoring set, or an average of all attempted sets.
New export option in gradebook. Instructors can now export their gradebook reports in CSV format.
Increased number of Write exercise drafts. The number of Write Exercise drafts a user can submit has been increased from 2 to 10.
New question types. A new Flash API allows for a greater variety of activities and exercises. Additionally, new short answer, write, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice questions types have been added.
Make a suggestion. A "Make a Suggestion" link has been added to the footer of the instructor interface. The link leads to a form that instructors can use to make comments or suggestions directly to the English Media Team.
Back button. The browser Back button has been enabled throughout the application so users will not lose their place in the application and can use it to navigate to the previous page.

Your feedback is valuable to us! Please feel free to send us your comments and suggestions by emails us at EnglishLabs@pearson.com.