Beginning January 2025, Rio Salado students will notice several new features when logging into RioLearn to access their classes.
The first new feature is an “Action Items” pane that will display on the left side of the RioLearn home page. The Action Items will list current, upcoming and past-due assignments and exam deadlines so students can easily see what to-do items they need to address.
At the top of the Action Items pane, students can select the “Important Dates” tab to see upcoming dates in a month-by-month snapshot, or the “Past Due” tab to see outstanding assignments.
The second new feature is “My Calendar.” The new calendar view displays course assignments in different colors for each class to improve visibility and organization. Action items are displayed on the right-hand side of the calendar, with important dates listed beneath.
Calendar events can be opened by clicking on the plus sign at the top left of the event tile. They include details such as assignment names, due dates and course ID.
Students can also update their calendars with customized events or reminders. For example, students can block out study time each day or week and assign it to a class. Then when accessing RioLearn, the study time will appear in their Action Items list.
Students will also notice that the tiles on the RioLearn student portal were reorganized to streamline the page and improve flow and readability.
The new RioLearn features were developed to incorporate feedback from student focus groups and user testing.
“Gathering and using student feedback is crucial for improving learning management systems because it helps educators understand student needs, enhance course design, and adjust teaching methods,” said Julie Cober, Rio Salado Faculty Chair for Communication and co-chair of the college’s Student Digital Experience Committee. “By actively seeking feedback, we can identify areas for improvement, leading to higher student engagement and success rates. Implementing this feedback fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately benefiting both current and future students.”