What's new

AI-Powered Study Tools (beta)

The AI-Powered Study Tool is a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chat tool that provides individualized support, practice, and feedback to learners. Available in select eTextbooks and MyLab/Mastering courses, the AI study tool eliminates the need to leave the required course material for help. Instead, support is provided within the assigned materials. The AI-powered study tool pulls from vetted Pearson content to help students achieve proficiency and master key course concepts.

Assignment creation

In some courses, instructors have a new simplified assignment creation experience (beta) to create homework, quizzes, or tests.

When you select content, you can use filters to search by question, media, chapter, and book. Visual indicators show accessible activities, chapter and section numbers, and the suffix (tb) for Test Bank activities.

Assignment settings

In some courses, homework assignments have new settings:

• Practice After the Due Date – allow students to practice the questions in the assignment after the due date.
• Hide Correct Answer – hide the correct answer until the student correctly answers the questions or exhausts all attempts.

In some courses, quizzes and tests have new timer settings:

• Timer > Only runs when test is open – If selected, the timer only runs while the student is taking the test. The timer stops if a student signs out; switches to a different assignment, window or page; or loses their internet connection.
• Timer > Will not stop once started – If selected, students cannot pause the timer once it starts. Students lose any remaining time if they sign out; switch to a different assignment, window or page; or lose their internet connection.

Course dashboard

In some courses, students have a new course dashboard that shows upcoming assignments, past due assignments, completed assignments, and overall score.

eTextbook QR code

Scan and sign in to your eTextbook with a QR code to securely access your account without entering a username and password.

Freehand Grader Bulk Upload (Beta)

Available in some courses, use the Bulk upload tool to upload multiple student assignments as a single PDF. Freehand Grader matches the names on each assignment page to the students in your course roster. You can use Bulk upload in combination with student uploads and instructor uploads.

Interactive Lab Assignments

Available for Anatomy & Physiology courses, assign interactive labs as homework and assess students with scored questions between sections. Customize the assignment by adding or removing iLab sections, questions, or media.

LMS Pairing/Unpairing Courses

Pair a MyLab or Mastering course created in a Pearson product outside your LMS. This doesn’t include courses with student enrollments or coordinator courses.

MathXL for School

New guides are available to help MathXL for School users register and get started in their course.

• MathXL for School: Create an instructor account
• MathXL for School: Create a student account
• Quick start: MathXL for School student

MyLab IT NextGen

How do I? videos – New How do I? videos are available to help MyLab IT NextGen instructors get started in their course.

• MyLab IT NextGen Walkthrough (24.36)
• MyLab IT NextGen Initial Course Set Up (6:09)
• MyLab IT NextGen Customizing Grader Projects (5:55)
• MyLab IT NextGen Learning Aids (5:30)

New Assignment Overview

All standard homework assignments have a new overview page. Students can see their score, the items in the assignment, and the learning outcomes. They can easily navigate through questions and embedded media. The new Assignment Overview is being released on a rolling basis throughout August.

Interactive Assignments with Embedded Media

More titles offer interactive assignments, a homework assignment that combines student player questions with a variety of media (such as videos, readings, or activities) in a continuous and seamless experience.

AI Instructor Tools v2 (Beta)

An enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is available to help find items to add to assignments for:

• Blitzer: College Algebra, 8e in MyLab Math
• Miller-Nobles/Mattison: Horngren's Financial & Managerial Accounting, 8e in MyLab Accounting

Assignment Manager View

The Assignment Manager Redesign (AMR) shows by default when users open the assignment manager. Users have the choice to change to the classic view.

Credly Badges

Some MyLab IT NextGen Office 2021 courses have pre-built assignments that offer Credly badges. Credly badges confirm and recognize a learning achievement. If a student achieves the required score, a badge icon shows on the student Results page. Students receive an email with instructions to accept their badge.

Secure Testing

LockDown Browser works with Chromebooks (ChromeOS extension delivered by Respondus). Lab administrators of managed Chromebook devices can update settings to allow automatic or manual extension downloads.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows version 2.1.2.08, dated July 16, 2024
• MacOS version 2.1.2.02, dated February 5, 2024
• Chrome OS version 0.1.00.112, dated August 6, 2024
• Windows Managed Labs version 2.1.1.05, dated November 3, 2023
• Chrome OS Managed Labs version 0.1.00.111, dated April 24, 2024

*Coming late August 2024: MasOS version 2.1.2.07.

LMS Support

Gradesync optimization and gradebook data enrichment provides more data for 3PL customers, enabling them to view more data in their learning management system gradebook.

Data Privacy

Cookie preferences and anonymized Personal Identifiable Information (PII) are enabled.

In-product Help

In-product messaging is updated to include instructor onboarding guidance and improved online help.

LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser works with Chromebooks (ChromeOS extension delivered by Respondus). Lab administrators of managed Chromebook devices can update settings to allow automatic or manual extension downloads.

Mastering platform update

Some Mastering courses are going live on the platform update for an improved user experience.

Access Pearson (LTI 1.3)

If your institution has installed the Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) tool, the MyLab and Mastering (LTI 1.1) tool is no longer available for pairing new LMS courses after the upgrade date. Instead, use the Access Pearson (LTI 1.3) tool. The LTI 1.3 tool has the latest improvements, including enhanced grade sync details and automatic student account creation for signin, if enabled by your institution.

AI Instructor Tools (Beta)

Instructors can now use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to help find items to add to assignments for:

• Blitzer: College Algebra, 8e in MyLab Math
• Miller-Nobles/Mattison: Horngren's Financial & Managerial Accounting, 8e in MyLab Accounting

PAL integration

The integration work for the Practice Anatomy Lab™ (PAL) tool includes the development of course copy, assignment copy, coordinator/member support, and assignment imports. PAL is released in select courses but not yet generally available to the market.

LockDown Browser

LockDown Browser is compatible with Chromebooks (ChromeOS extension delivered by Respondus). Lab administrators of managed Chromebook devices can update settings to allow automatic or manual extension downloads. When students install the LockDown Browser, they’ll see the Google Chrome extensions page and install the Pearson LockDown Browser extension.

You can download and use the latest LockDown browser software versions:

• ChromeOS version 0.1.00.111, released April 24, 2024.
• MacOS version 2.1.2.02, released February 5, 2024.

Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

ProctorU Retirement

The ProctorU proctoring platform for MyLab courses retired January 15, 2024.

IES Session Functionality

MyLab has streamlined session management so that users have a more stable and performant experience when using Pearson products.

PAL Integration

The integration work for the Practice Anatomy Lab™ (PAL) tool includes the development of assignment delete, grade delete, and item sync. PAL is released in select courses but not yet generally available to the market.

AI Study Tools (Beta)

Students can now use an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for study help from the eTextbook for Principles of Marketing, 19e in MyLab Marketing. Students can practice, get summaries, and ask questions all within their trusted eTextbook.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows version 2.1.1.05, released November 3, 2023.
• MacOS version 2.1.1.06, released October 4, 2023.

• Windows Managed Labs version 2.1.1.05, released November 3, 2023.

Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

ProctorU Retirement

The ProctorU proctoring platform for MyLab courses is retiring January 15, 2024.

Accessibility

The program has accessibility enhancements including content presentation, screen reader clarity, standard drop-down lists, and accessible interactive elements.

AI Study Tools (Beta)

Students can now use an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for study help from the eTextbook for Principles of Marketing, 18e in MyLab Marketing. Students can practice, get summaries, and ask questions all within their trusted eTextbook. For more about AI Study Tools in an eTextbook, see Work with your eTextbook.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows version 2.1.1.05, released November 3, 2023.
• MacOS version 2.1.1.06, released October 4, 2023.

The new Windows version no longer supports Windows 7/8. Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

Accessibility

The program has accessibility enhancements including content presentation, screen reader clarity, standard drop-down lists, and accessible interactive elements.

Freehand Grader

Available in most courses, you can reuse notes in a question. As you grade another student’s answer to the same question, you can reapply a note you created earlier. Open a new note and position it by dropping a pin. Start typing a word from an earlier note, then select the note you want to reuse.

Available in most courses, you can add equations in notes. From the open note box, select the symbols editor to add symbolic, math, or chemistry notation in a note. Use keyboard arrow keys to move within the expression.

Available in most courses, you'll see grading dashboard improvements. When you grade by question, progress bars let you quickly see which questions still need to be graded. Learn more about Freehand Grader assignments.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows version 2.1.1.02, released July 5, 2023.
• MacOS version 2.1.1.00, released June 6, 2023.

The new versions no longer support Windows 7/8. Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

MyLab IT NextGen

MyLab IT (Pegasus) users can create their course in MyLab IT NextGen using the XL platform. Learn more about office grader assignments and office simulation assignments in the quick start guide.

Accessibility

The program includes accessibility enhancements including: list mark-up, alternative text, screen reader clarity, flexible layouts, standard drop-down lists, and accessible interactive elements.

Deeplinking of eTextbooks

The program supports deeplinking of eTextbook sections for 3PL-linked courses. When you use the 3PL deeplink picker, the program lets you select eTextbook content.

Freehand Grader (Beta)

Available in most courses, you can delete and reset a student's result for a Freehand Grader assignment. When you delete a result, the program resets the student's attempt on the assignment. Learn how to use Freehand Grader assignments.

Interactive Assignments

If available in your course, interactive assignments with eTextbook readings have improved performance and usability. Learn how students do interactive assignments in the Student Help.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows Student Edition, version 2.1.0.02, released January 6, 2023.

• MacOS Student and Lab Use, version 2.1.0.02, released January 6, 2023.

  Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

Adaptive Diagnostics (Beta)

In specific courses, you can create an adaptive diagnostic test using a new creation experience. The new user-interface offers a convenient workflow to create in-course adaptive diagnostics.

Dynamic Study Modules

When you copy a course, all Dynamic Study Modules (DSM) assigned in the original course are copied and assigned with the same (editable) settings. If DSM questions were removed in the original course, those questions remain removed in the new course. Learn how to create DSM assignments.

eTextbook Analytics Dashboard

If available in your course, you can check student engagement in the eTextbook. The eTextbook Analytics Dashboard reports the time students spend in the eTextbook. In addition to reading time, the dashboard tracks the number of notes and highlights that each student adds. Students do not have access to this kind of information. Learn how to Work with your Pearson eTextbook.

Freehand Grader (Beta) assignments

Available in most courses, you can copy an existing Freehand Grader assignment. When you copy, all course PDFs copy to the new assignment. Use the create assignment wizard to configure your copy of the assignment and save it. Learn how to use Freehand Grader assignments.

Interactive Assignments

If available in your course, you can create student homework assignments that combine student player questions with a variety of media (such as videos, readings, or activities) in a continuous and seamless experience. Students see an informative overview page and can easily navigate through questions and embedded media. You'll create and manage Interactive Assignments using the standard assignment creation and gradebook workflows and reporting. Learn how students do interactive assignments in the Student Help.

LockDown Browser

You can download and use the latest software versions:

• Windows Student Edition, version 2.0.9.06, released November 14, 2022
• Windows Lab Edition (does not require admin rights), version 2.0.9.06, released November 14, 2022
• MacOS Student and Lab Use, version 2.1.0.00, released October 28, 2022.

  Learn more about the LockDown Browser.

Require students to complete Skill Builder recommendations

If you enable Skill Builder for an assignment, you can require students to complete Skill Builder recommendations when they answer a question incorrectly. Skill Builder automatically opens and the student must complete the practice before they can return to the homework assignment. Learn how to enable Skill Builder.

Freehand Grader (Beta) assignments

Available in most courses, you can create a Freehand Grader assignment, a new assignment type that lets you efficiently score and provide feedback on handwritten assignments in any class format—in-person, online, or hybrid.

Students create a PDF from their work and upload it for you to score online using rubric grading. Freehand Grader assignments are useful when you want students to show their work for you to grade. Learn how to use Freehand Grader assignments.

Review question results in tests and quizzes

You can now review the results of individual students’ quiz and test questions in the player. In the past, you could review question results only in student homework. As with homework reviews, you can view individual student attempts and navigate from one student to the next. You can email the student directly from the player while reviewing, as well. Learn how to review tests and quizzes.

Easier question navigation in the MyLab player

The MyLab player has a question list so that students can easily select questions in homework, tests, and quizzes. Media items are also included for homework assignments. Learn how students use the player.

MediaShare assignments

If available in your course, you can create a MediaShare assignment—an assignment containing a video quiz or media content, including videos, YouTube clips, audio files, documents, and images that students can view, comment on, and assess. MediaShare lets instructors and students share and engage with media, facilitating active learning.

Students can also upload their own media content, comment on other students' uploaded content, and contribute to group work. Available for specific titles. Learn how to use MediaShare assignments.