On August 13 we released version 1.7.87 of the OpenLab. It included many new features, as well as updates to all existing themes and plugins, including WordPress and BuddyPress, the primary software that powers the OpenLab.
New Features
Navigation redesign
The biggest new feature this summer is a redesign of the navigation on the OpenLab. The goal was to streamline and improve navigation throughout the site, especially on mobile.
There are new icons (from left to right) for help, search, favorites, and the My OpenLab and main OpenLab menus.
In the My OpenLab menu, you’ll see a red dot on the person icon whenever you have new notifications in the menu. The dot will also appear in the menu next to each type of new notification you have (invitations, friend requests, etc).
The navigation is now “sticky” so when you scroll down a longer page it will continue to be visible.
We also updated the top navigation bar (or toolbar) on WordPress sites so that it is more streamlined and better aligned with the standard WordPress toolbar. This will help prevent conflicts with different plugins and themes.
Resources directory
We’ve created a new directory for resources that will contain courses, projects, and clubs that also serve as resources for the OpenLab community and beyond. Currently the resources directory will include OER (Open Educational Resources), First Year Learning Communities, Model Courses, and Course Hubs.
You can search and filter just as you would in other directories, and this should make it easier to find all the wonderful resources that OpenLab members have built and continue to create. Let us know if there’s a resource you’d like to see here!
Updates and Changes
OpenLab Modules
We made a number of improvements to the OpenLab Modules plugin, funded through the MSEIP grant Connect the DOTS.
Module Export/Import
We added a new module export/import feature, which enables the sharing of modules across different WordPress sites so that modules can be shared beyond the OpenLab. Like with cloning, exported modules will contain an attribution to the original site.
Improvements to module cloning
We made quite a few improvements to module cloning, including:
- Allowing cloning from the Dashboard
- Saving the cloned module in draft form rather than published
- Changing the workflow so that after cloning, you can go directly to the Dashboard editor to begin working on the cloned module
Visual improvements
We made visual improvements to different parts of a module, including:
- The All Modules page now has two different display options to choose from, where each module in the list can have a featured image.
- Improved design, alignment, and spacing for:
- Module TOC (Table of Contents) block, previously called the Module Navigation block
- Back and next navigation that allows you to move between different pages in a module
Other improvements
The attribution block, which appears on a cloned module, is now editable so you can add your own custom text.
Site admins can customize the completion email and pop-up message that students see when they complete a module.Â
You can now sort the Module column in Dashboard > Pages to make it easier to find pages by module.
Default Privacy Settings for Courses, Projects, Clubs, and Portfolios
We changed some of the default privacy settings for courses, projects, clubs, and portfolios. However, you can still choose different settings during creation. The settings for existing courses, projects, clubs, and portfolios won’t be affected.
While one of the core features of the OpenLab is that it showcases the excellent work being done by City Tech students, faculty, and staff, we want to make sure that all members are choosing the privacy levels that are right for them.
For courses, the default setting for the profile will now be private, and the site will be “Ask search engines not to index.”
For students creating projects, the new default settings are private for the profile and “Ask search engines not to index” for the site.
For students creating clubs, the new default setting for the site is “Ask search engines not to index.” There’s no change to the profile setting, which will still be public.
For students creating portfolios, the new default setting for the profile will now be private and the site will be “Ask search engines not to index.”
Remember, you can always choose the settings that are right for you and the work you’re doing–and reach out to the OpenLab team if you have questions.
Block theme improvements
We improved the site template compatibility with block themes so we can now use them as templates. Look out for some new portfolio templates using block themes coming soon!
As always, please contact us with any questions!
Image credit: Melting Popsicles by ~jar{} is licensed under CC BY 2.0.