This release (version 5.1) also adds the ability for students to move and copy content blocks in WikiProjects, but the big news is the API updates.

What is an API?

API stands for application programming interface. It’s a way for two or more different pieces of software to talk with each other and pass information back and forth. Your IT department or SIS developer can simply write an application based on our API specifications, then whenever your school secretary or SIS administrator enrolls a student or updates a class roster, the changes will be instantly pushed to Haiku. If Haiku encounters any errors, your application will know right away and can respond appropriately. That translates to huge time savings so that information can be managed in one place and automatically reflected in others.

Can’t I already import my data?

Haiku LMS has always offered imports using CSV (comma separated value) files, but while CSV imports are often more simple to set up initially, there are several distinct disadvantages to this type of import. The API is an optional replacement for CSV imports.

Problem: They aren’t instantaneous. Automated CSV imports only run once per day, which means that changes in the district SIS take time to be reflected in Haiku.

Solution: The API offers a way for schools to tightly couple their SIS with Haiku LMS. Once this integration is complete, updates to the SIS are immediately and automatically submitted to and reflected in Haiku LMS.

Problem: The Domain Admin has to manually review Haiku LMS import error logs for bad data in their CSV files.

Solution: When data is updated via the API, Haiku LMS provides instant, computer-understandable feedback if there are any errors. The integrated SIS can display these errors to the SIS administrators so that they can resolve the problem.

Problem: Previously, there wasn’t an efficient way to extract data from Haiku LMS once it was imported. (We do offer CSV exports, but Domain Admins must manually generate and download them.)

Solution: The API can be a way for a school to pull data from Haiku LMS. For example, a school could write an application that checks to see if any users have updated their email address in Haiku LMS and then copies those new email addresses to the SIS. The API even gives read-only access to information about manually-created users and classes. That means that your school could use the API to get up-to-date parent information, even if your SIS doesn’t yet support parent accounts.

The Specific Details

For the specific, technical information check out our API documentation site for developers or the complete release notes.

Not sure whether you want to use the API? There are several options for importing you school’s data into Haiku.

Looking Ahead

Let us know if you have questions or ideas. In the meantime, here’s what else is in the works:

• Versioning System: WikiProjects and Pages will have a log of all changes any user makes and allow rollbacks to revert to previous versions.
• Google Docs: Write blocks collaboratively in Pages and WikiProjects.
• SCORM Player: Run SCORM-compliant content you created in another system in Haiku.
• Dropbox Annotations: Thanks to TutorTrove’s technology, teachers will be able to open files like Word docs that students turn in via the Dropbox and write comments and notes directly in the browser – no need to download the file, mark it up, and upload for the student. (If you were at ISTE 2010 you got a sneak peek!)
• Aggregated Comments: Just for teachers, Haiku will aggregate all the comments made so that comments on WikiProjects and Pages are available in one place. The teacher can also see all comments by one student.

What’s New in Version 5 of Haiku Learning Management System

WikiProjects. Empower students to take their creativity online and collaborate with each other to create student websites much like teachers create Pages in Haiku. Entire classes or groups can post content like text, photos, video and so on, and individual students can have their own WikiProjects, too.

Since WikiProjects can also be Assignments, teachers can grade them, too.

Watch tutorial for teachers >>
Watch tutorial for students >>

Comments. Need to provide feedback without assigning a grade? Teachers and students can comment on Pages  and WikiProjects. Great for responding to student projects directly in context, but also excellent for peer-to-peer review! Watch tutorial >>

Improved Date Selector. Now it’s easier to set a deadline or publication date because the date selector – the small calendar that pops up when you click into a date field – is faster and works better in Chrome and Safari.

What’s Next?

We’re already working on the next round of updates. Here are a few highlights of what is in store for you over the next few months:

Versioning System: Track all changes that any user makes to WikiProjects and Pages and revert to previous versions whenever you’d like.

Google Docs: Integrate directly with your Google Doc accounts without ever appearing to leave Haiku LMS.  Embed your collaborative documents directly into a block on a Haiku page!  Fantastic for group projects and brainstorming exercises.

SCORM Player: Run SCORM-compliant content and classes from other publishers in your Haiku class!

DropBox Annotations: Open and annotate Word and PDF files directly in your browser – no need to download or upload the file! (If you visited our booth at ISTE 2010 you got a sneak peek!)

Aggregated Comments: Just for teachers, Haiku will aggregate all comments on WikiProjects and Pages in one place. From there you can see all comments by one student to get a sense of how much and what they say.

When you get rolling with WikiProjects and Comments be sure to drop us a line. We love to hear how students and teachers are using Haiku! And keep the feedback on features coming by sharing your ideas: http://feedback.haikulearning.com.

We’ve listened to your requests to create something even better then a simple student website: WikiProjects and Comments! We are on the verge of launching these two new collaborative tools and are eager to see what your students can do with them.

WikiProjects. Empower students to take their creativity online and collaborate with each other to create student websites much like teachers create Pages in Haiku. Entire classes or groups can post content like text, photos, video and so on, and individual students can have their own WikiProjects, too. Since WikiProjects can also be Assignments, teachers can grade them, too.

Comments. Need to provide feedback without assigning a grade? Teachers and students can comment on Pages, ePortfolios, and WikiProjects. Great for responding to student projects directly in context, but also excellent for peer-to-peer review!

Improved Date Selector. Now it’s easier to set a deadline or publication date because the date selector – the small calendar that pops up when you click into a date field is faster and works better in Chrome and Safari.

We’re sure teachers and students will love these new features. Stay tuned for our release announcement next week!

What’s Next?

We’re already working on the next round of updates. Here are a few highlights of what is in store for you over the next few months:

Versioning System: Track all changes that any user makes to WikiProjects and Pages and revert to previous versions whenever you’d like.

Google Docs: Integrate directly with your Google Doc accounts without ever appearing to leave Haiku LMS.  Embed your collaborative documents directly into a block on a Haiku page!  Fantastic for group projects and brainstorming exercises.

SCORM Player: Run SCORM-compliant content and classes from other publishers in your Haiku class!

DropBox Annotations: Open and annotate Word and PDF files directly in your browser – no need to download or upload the file! (If you visited our booth at ISTE 2010 you got a sneak peek!)

Aggregated Comments: Just for teachers, Haiku will aggregate all comments on WikiProjects, Pages, and ePortfolios in one place. From there you can see all comments by one student to get a sense of how much and what they say.

As always, these features are strengthened and enhanced by your suggestions, so please be sure to visit our suggestion website at http://feedback.haikulearning.com.

Regards,

Bryan and the Haiku Learning Team

Equation Editor. Need to post math equations for your students? No problem! Thanks to new integration with Tutor Trove you can include mathematical symbols for square root, infinity, null, and many more in an Assessment, Assignment, Content Block – nearly any place you can put text. Watch the video tutorial >>

SMS Text Message Notifications. If your students pay more attention to text messages than email that’s ok – Haiku can handle it. Just have them enable SMS text message notifications so that they get a text whenever there’s something new or due. Watch the video tutorial >>

Instant Email Notifications. Want instant info? Change your email notification settings to get messages immediately for each announcement, assignment, and so on.

We updated a lot of little things, too, like enabling inbox attachments for students by default. See the release notes for all the details.

• Video Encoding. Just like your favorite web video services like YouTube, TeacherTube and Vimeo, Haiku LMS now encodes your videos automatically in a universal, web-friendly format (h.264) when you upload them via a Video Block.
• Improved Video and Audio Playback. Now when you upload a movie in a supported format Haiku LMS will play it back embedded in our new attractive, customized player (includes a timer for your video/audio labs). That means you can play video directly on the page rather than opening another application like QuickTime.
  Watch tutorial >>
• HTML in Assessment Questions. Substance affects style and style substance, and with the ability to include HTML in Assessment multiple choice and matching options educators can provide greater context with links and better convey information with tables, text formatting, and so on.
• Image Captions. When you add inline images to a text block, now you can create and style captions as part of the image upload step.

Of course, the release includes quite a number of other updates and fixes, too – mostly adjustments we’ve made under the hood. You’re welcome to take a peek at the complete release notes. As always, we’d love to hear your feedback!

Text blocks used to be just that: text only. Now use them for so much more:

Inline Images. We’ve simplified steps. Add an image – either from your computer or from the internet – directly within a text block! Exercise your eye for design and change the position and text wrapping however you’d like. Watch the tutorial >

Inline Links. Adding links within a text block isn’t new, but the smoother workflow is! Choose what you want to link to – a website, a page in the current Haiku class, a file (like a PDF), or an email address – enter the information, and you’re all set! Watch the tutorial >

Downloadable Audio/Video Files. Choose whether to hide or provide a link to download the audio and video you post. The choice is yours.

More Attractive Invitations. Domain Administrators have enough to do without worrying about how to prepare Haiku class invitations for every student and parent. For those schools and districts that invite parents rather than import them, now they can print invitations en masse and move on to other items.

Educators and students using our LMS continue to amaze us with their creativity, ideas, and energy, so we’re looking forward to seeing what they do with these latest updates!

Students Soar with Access to Aviary

Students who use Haiku LMS can now use Aviary to update images in their e-Portfolios. Aviary empowers student to:

• Work on their files from any computer – anytime, anywhere- whether at school, at home or somewhere else altogether
• Get immediate feedback from teachers and fellow students
• See exactly how images and creations were made
• Collaborate with other students
• Find additional support through tutorials, demonstrations, forums, and blogs

An update from our last launch: teachers now have the option to use Aviary editing in more places like discussion topics. Teachers can also simultaneously upload multiple files like .pdf and .doc in more places, too.

Faster Loading, Fewer Obstacles

We’re streamlining workflow with every release, and this time around it’s in the form of an updated, faster HTML editor that offers two types of editing: basic and advanced. For users needing to format simply in bold, italics, and so on the basic editor provides clear shortcuts. For users looking for more flexibility and greater control the advanced editor enables them to dig into the code.

Haiku LMS is on the Move

More and more often we saw wish lists that requested that we allow access to Haiku from mobile browsers. Well, we’re ready to grant that wish. You will no longer see the Unsupported Browser screen when you visit Haiku from your Apple or Android Phone. Capabilities are still limited due to the “lite” nature of mobile browsers, but you are free to use what you can.  But do not fear that we will stop here, as we are still scheming of versions for the iPhone/iPad and Android devices.

Keep in Touch

As always, we appreciate the feedback and welcome more input. Let us know what you think!

To Bryan Falcón, Executive Vice President of Haiku Learning Systems, Inc., this integration melds perfectly with Haiku’s goal of providing a simple, easy-to-use learning management system. “We believe that one of the greatest obstacles that stands in the way of web “simplicity” is the file upload/download process.  It is clumsy, time-consuming, and unfriendly to all,” he said. “With Aviary, we take one step closer to our end goal of a download-free world. Teachers and students will now be able to create, edit, submit, and assess images and drawings without ever uploading a file from their desktop. This is exciting stuff.”

Take a gander at what Aviary offers to education

With Aviary you can create, edit, modify, enhance, and share digital images and assets. Aviary delivers all of the key features of desktop image editors such as Adobe Photoshop, with the simplicity and accessibility of a web-based application. That means that, as with Haiku LMS, you don’t have to download or install software, and classwork is stored securely online.

Teachers can use Aviary to:

• Provide timely feedback at any point during the creation process
• Monitor student progress in real-time
• Collaborate with colleagues and students on shared materials
• Publish and post class materials and presentations online
• Connect with other teachers and educators
• Find additional support and lesson ideas through forums, blogs, and the Aviary newsletter

The Haiku team is thrilled to include such a powerful tool for our educators and students, and Aviary is, too: “Aviary is very excited to be teaming up with Haiku,” said Michael Galpert, Aviary Co-Founder and Vice President. “Haiku’s lesson and learning management system is the perfect complement to the Aviary tool set. With Aviary and Haiku, teachers will be able to engage and collaborate with students as students acquire new skills and expand their creative capabilities.”

Who’s Using Haiku LMS and Aviary?
Sweat Equity Enterprises!

An education innovation organization that connects and educates young people through design, media, and technology, Sweat Equity Enterprises (SEE) aligns teaching and learning to the needs of the 21st century. They do that by linking students to clients in a mutually beneficial relationship: students get hands-on experience developing original graphics, products, or apparel designs, and organizations get the benefit of students’ creativity and leading-edge ideas.

SEE believes that young people learn best by experiential and team projects that empower them as leaders and tap into their individual skills and passion. Students receive guidance from SEE-trained educators who lead them through a five-step process: design challenge, research, concept development, final concept development, and client presentation. The end result is a student who experienced the creative process in a real-world, real-stakes situation, and a client who has a product they can implement and promote.

SEE has awarded more that $1.5 million in scholarships and education support services to nearly 850 students around the world, and now they are using Haiku LMS and Aviary to extend their reach.

“By embedding the Aviary suite into the Haiku LMS, Sweat Equity can now offer schools and after-school programs an eLearning environment where students learn 21st century skills while creating products through real world design challenges from national brands,” said Leonardo Bullaro Director of Sweat Equity Enterprises. “Haiku and Aviary have been vital in scaling our project-based learning and professional development offerings.”

As always, the Haiku team is excited to see what Haiku LMS users create with new features, and we’d love to hear ways you’re working Aviary into your Haiku class!

We just added a new feature called “Content Sharing” to Haiku LMS. You can share your Content Blocks, Pages, and Classes. It’s a clipboard of sorts that lets you copy your content and send it to another Haiku LMS user for them to import into their class. The recipient is then free to update the information as they’d like — the content isn’t attached to your class.

Go ahead and check it out in your Haiku class, or watch this video tutorial to see what we mean.

Newest Additions to Haiku LMS

• Common Cartridge Imports: If you’re already using an LMS then you know what it took to enter and organize all your curriculum data. Haiku LMS is Common Cartridge (IMS) compliant, and if your current LMS (e.g. Blackboard and Moodle) is, too, then you can bring your data along when you make the switch to Haiku.
  Watch the video tutorial
• Mini Sites: If you’ve created lesson plans in third-party tools like Softchalk, you can use Haiku’s content blocks to upload their HTML files into your Haiku class! You can even upload small apps that span several files from your Computer Science classes, such as Java applets.
  Watch the video tutorial
• Randomized Multiple Choice: Want to make sure students are really thinking about the question and the right answer and are not just multiple-guessing? When you create assessments, set multiple choice responses to randomize so that they’re in a different order each time a student sees them.

Thanks to our current Haiku LMS teachers and Twitter followers who provided input for these features! We’re confident they’ll be used well and are excited to see the creativity that they enable!