Skip to main content

Creating Your First Assignment

Learn how to create effective assignments in Caliper with proper configuration for AI marking and student submission tracking.

🎥 Video Tutorial: Creating Assignments​

Watch this 4-minute guide showing the complete assignment creation process:

What's covered:

  • Basic assignment information
  • Class and rubric selection
  • Configuration for AI marking
  • Publishing to students

Overview​

Assignments are the core of the Caliper platform. This guide will walk you through creating your first assignment with all the essential settings configured correctly.

Prerequisites​

Before creating an assignment, ensure you have:

  • ✅ At least one class created
  • ✅ A rubric prepared (optional but recommended)
  • ✅ Clear assignment requirements defined

Step-by-Step Guide​

Step 1: Navigate to Assignments​

  1. Log in to your Caliper account
  2. Click Assignments in the sidebar
  3. Click the + Create New Assignment button

Assignments List The Assignments page showing all your assignments with the Create New Assignment button

Step 2: Fill in Basic Information​

Title​

  • Use clear, descriptive titles
  • Include the topic or skill being assessed
  • Example: "Python Functions - Grade 10"

Description​

Provide students with:

  • What they need to submit

  • File format requirements

  • Any special instructions

  • Example:

    Submit a Python program that demonstrates:
    - Function definition and calling
    - Parameters and return values
    - Proper documentation with docstrings

    Submit as a single .py file or PDF with code and screenshots.

Due Date and Time​

  • Set realistic deadlines
  • Consider time zones
  • Allow buffer time for technical issues
  • Recommended: Set deadline to end of school day

Maximum Points​

  • Align with your grading scale
  • Match your rubric's total points
  • Common values: 50, 75, 100

Step 3: Assignment Configuration​

Assign to Class​

  • Select the class from the dropdown
  • Only classes you teach will appear
  • Students in that class will see the assignment

Assignment Type​

Choose the appropriate type:

  • Practical Assignment: Code, projects, hands-on work
  • Theory Assignment: Written responses, essays
  • Project: Long-term, multi-part assignments
  • Test: Formal assessments
  • Exam: High-stakes evaluations

Submission Format​

Select expected file type:

  • PDF: Best for mixed content (code + explanations)
  • ZIP: For projects with multiple files
  • Code: For single programming files (.py, .java, etc.)
  • DOCX: For written assignments
  • Image: For diagrams or screenshots
  1. In the Assessment Rubric dropdown, select your prepared rubric
  2. If no rubric exists, you can create one later
  3. Rubrics enable:
    • Consistent AI marking
    • Criterion-based feedback
    • Transparent grading standards
Pro Tip

Create your rubric before the assignment to ensure AI marking works optimally from the start!

Step 5: Save and Publish​

  1. Review all settings carefully
  2. Click Create Assignment
  3. Assignment is now visible to students in the selected class

Post-Creation Steps​

Verify Assignment is Live​

  1. Navigate to the class page
  2. Confirm assignment appears in the assignments list
  3. Check due date displays correctly

Test Submission Flow (Optional)​

  1. Create a test student account
  2. Log in as student
  3. Verify assignment appears
  4. Test file upload process

Share with Students​

  • Announce assignment in class
  • Send reminder via school communication channels
  • Clarify any questions about requirements

Best Practices​

✅ Do's​

  • Write clear descriptions with specific deliverables
  • Set reasonable deadlines (at least 1 week for major assignments)
  • Use rubrics for all graded assignments
  • Test upload process before student deadline
  • Provide examples of good submissions when possible

❌ Don'ts​

  • Don't set deadlines too tight (less than 24 hours)
  • Don't change requirements after students start
  • Don't forget to link a rubric if using AI marking
  • Don't use vague descriptions like "Do the assignment"
  • Don't accept all file types indiscriminately

Advanced Features​

GitHub Integration​

  • Enable automatic backup to student repositories
  • Maintain version history of submissions
  • Create professional portfolios

Late Submission Policy​

  • Configure grace periods if needed
  • Set penalties for late work
  • Track submission timestamps

Resubmission Settings​

  • Allow students to resubmit (if enabled)
  • Track version history
  • Compare multiple attempts

Troubleshooting​

"Class dropdown is empty"​

Solution: Create a class first before creating assignments

"Rubric not appearing"​

Solution: Ensure rubric is created and active. Refresh the page.

"Students can't see assignment"​

Solution:

  • Verify correct class selected
  • Check student enrollment in class
  • Confirm assignment is saved and published

"File upload fails"​

Solution:

  • Check file size limits (typically 50MB max)
  • Verify file format matches assignment settings
  • Ensure stable internet connection

Next Steps​

Need Help?​