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Preview assignments in myCourses

The preview feature allows you to view the Assignments tool and submit files to assignment folders as if you were a student. You can also create preview submissions to evaluate, for example, you can attach files, leave feedback, and view feedback.

Preview submissions

Create a preview submission

  1. On the main Assignments page, click More actions > Preview. This will show you the main Assignments page as it appears to students.

  2. The Bypass any restrictions on submitting to folders checkbox is selected by default. You can deselect this checkbox if you wish to test restrictions applied to an assignment, but you will not be able to access the assignment unless the availability dates or release conditions are met.

  3. Click the name of an assignment to view the Submit assignment page.

  4. Click the Add a file button to select a file from your computer and upload it to the folder.

  5. (Optional) Click the Record audio or Record video button to record an audio/video file, or enter Comments that you want to submit with the file.

  6. Select the checkbox beside Allow this preview submission to be available in the folder.

    If you do not select the checkbox beside Allow this preview submission to be available, a preview submission will not be created and you will not be able to evaluate it.

  7. Click the Submit button to upload a file.

    If you have set up notifications for Assignments, you will receive an email and/or text message confirming the submission.

  8. Click the Exit preview button to return to the regular instructor view of Assignments.

Users with roles that allow assignment evaluation without editing permissions for assignments can preview the assignment information such as instructions, start date or due date.

  1. On the main Assignments page, click the name of the assignment you want to revise. Click on a submission to enter the Evaluation mode. 

  2. In the evaluation panel situated on the right of the page click on the ... button and select Preview activity.

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Enter and view feedback for preview submissions

In the regular instructor view of Assignments, you can search for preview submissions and enter feedback. Then you can return to the Preview assignments page to view the feedback as a student.

Leave feedback for preview submissions

  1. On the main Assignments page, click the name of the folder where you uploaded your preview submission (see the previous section).

  2. Click Show search options to expand the search menu, then select Users with preview submissions from the Submissions drop-down list.

  3. Click the magnifying glass icon beside the Search field to show all Preview submissions.

  4. Click Evaluate on the right side of the page beside your name to leave feedback for your preview submission.

  5. On the Evaluate submission page, you can enter comments, attach files, and record audio or video. See the Assess assignments in myCourses article for more information.

  6. Click Publish.

View feedback for preview submissions

  1. On the main Assignments page, click More actions > Preview.

  2. Click View to display the View feedback page. This link will not appear unless you published feedback (see the previous section).

  3. On the View feedback page, you can see how this page will look to your students and do any of the following:

    • Read the feedback you left.

    • Click the name of Submitted files to download the files you uploaded.

    • Click the Download all files button to download attached files or audio recordings you uploaded.

  4. Click the Exit preview button when finished.

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Preview the submission history page

The preview feature of the Assignments tool also allows you to preview the Submission history page. Students can use this page to ensure that that their submissions were successful. 

  1. On the main Assignments page, click More actions > Preview.

  2. Click View history at the top of the page.

  3. In the Assignment drop-down menu, select an assignment where you submitted a preview submission.

  4. Click the Exit preview button when finished.

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While this resource is accessible worldwide, McGill University is on land which has served and continues to serve as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. Teaching and Learning Services acknowledges and thanks the diverse Indigenous peoples whose footsteps mark this territory on which peoples of the world now gather. This land acknowledgment is shared as a starting point to provide context for further learning and action.

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