AI Design Assistant – Context picker for test question generation
The AI Design Assistant offers efficiency when generating test questions. Instructors can now select course items to help define questions. This option improves the alignment of generated questions to course content.
![AI Design Assistant – Context picker for test question generation](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/AI-Design-Assistant-–-Context-picker-for-test-question-generation.png)
No Due Date assessment setting
In some scenarios, such as self-paced learning, an instructor may not want to apply a due date. To make the option for not having a due date more evident, we’ve added a “No due date” option for Tests and Assignments.
![No Due Date assessment option 1](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/No-Due-Date-assessment-option-1.png)
![No Due Date assessment option 2](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/No-Due-Date-assessment-option-2.png)
Last used view state of flexible grading side panels preserved
To provide a better user experience, the last used state is now preserved in the browser, providing a more efficient experience.
![Last used view state of flexible grading side panels preserved](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/Last-used-view-state-of-flexible-grading-side-panels-preserved.png)
Gradebook item statistics
Item statistics give insight to course members’ overall performance on graded content. Now, instructors can select a column in the gradebook to access summary statistics for any graded item. The statistics page displays key metrics such as:
- Minimum and maximum value
- Range
- Average
- Median
- Standard deviation
- Variance
The number of submissions requiring grading and the distribution of grades are also displayed. This will be helpful for any end of semester reports that need to be created for Heads of Schools.
![Gradebook item statistics 1](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/Gradebook-item-statistics-1.png)
![Gradebook item statistics 2](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/Gradebook-item-statistics-2.png)
Send messages to students from the Student Activity report for assessments on small and medium devices and the mobile app.
Now, these instructors can send messages to students from the Student Activity report for assessments. The message option is in the ellipsis menu for each student.
![Send messages to students from the Student Activity report for assessments on small and medium devices and the mobile app](https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/blackboardhelp/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2024/02/Send-messages-to-students-from-the-Student-Activity-report-for-assessments-on-small-and-medium-devices-and-the-mobile-app.png)