See what's new and updated in Along.
August 2024
- Hide Student Names
Teachers can now toggle an anonymous mode to hide student names on the Responses page. As part of this update, teachers can also hide individual student responses from this view. - Profile Picture Improvements
Students and teachers can now make edits to their uploaded profile pictures. Those not wanting to upload an image can now create their own custom avatar. - Student Watch Queue
The student Home page now displays all new questions from the past 15 days above students' class cards, making it even easier for them to find and reply to recent questions. - Search the Library
Teachers can now find the right response question using the new Library search bar. Under the search bar, you can also click on useful search terms to help you get started!
July 2024
- Updates to the Student Experience
Students can now navigate to individual classes from their revamped Home page. The new student experience also mirrors their teacher's Responses page, making it easier than ever for teachers to support their students as they navigate Along. - Faster, More Efficient Onboarding
Teachers can now sign up for Along and start selecting their school as soon as they sign up! In addition, there are several improvements to their Home page, with updated guidance and clearer directions for how to add students. - Past Questions for New Students
When teachers send questions to their entire class, new students will automatically receive the 3 most recent questions when they join the class. For scheduled questions sent to the entire class, new students added before the scheduled question will be sent, but after it was scheduled, they will automatically receive that question.
May 2024
- Improvements to the Rollover Process
Teachers can now see how removing or archiving a student from their Class List will impact that student's Along enrollment. In addition, students who have been archived will now be able to enter their Class Code when they log in to Along.
April 2024
- View Unread Responses from the Home Page
Teachers are now able to review unread responses directly from the Home page. They can mark all responses as read or open the Insights page to interact further with their students.
February 2024
- Schedule Send Improvements
Teachers are now able to plan ahead and schedule the exact date and time to send a question -up to 8 weeks ahead of time. - Replying to Students
Teachers can now send general replies to students who have or have not yet replied to a question, along with the classic reply to all.
January 2024
- Arrow through Student Response
Teachers can tab through all student responses for the same question, making it more efficient for teachers to address all students. - Content Sequences
Along now offers 5 content sequences in the library. Each of these content sequences provides 8 reflection questions that you can send out, in order, to your students. The suggested sequences provide an option to explore a series of questions around a specific topic: managing stress; working through conflict, bullying, and feelings; setting and working towards a goal; exploring strategies for learning; and life outside of school.
December 2023
- Customize Library Questions
Teachers can edit existing reflection questions for even more customization. - Question Links
Teachers can link to Along questions directly from the Insights and Responses page.
November 2023
- Sort Insights Table
Teachers can sort the insights table by student name, by response date, and by whether you’ve replied—all to help you view and address student insights faster.
October 2023
- Custom Multiple Choice Questions
Teachers can create their own custom multiple-choice questions and responses. - Discover Student Unread Responses
Teachers can now see their total unread student responses on the bottom right of each question card from the Home and Responses page.
August 2023
- Reply All
Teachers can stay connected with all of their students by replying to all students instead of responding individually to each question.
July 2023
- Multiple Choice and Free Response
New ability for teachers to send students multiple choice questions from the Library.
Students choose one of 4 answers and have the option to provide additional context via freeform text. This makes it easier for students to respond and build relationships with their teachers. - Insights
Now once a teacher has asked a question to their students, Insights on their students' responses are readily available. Insights include helpful resources and activities to dig deeper into subjects with their students. - Learner Profiles
Better coordinate with your colleagues as you use Along and support your students. Teachers can track past student responses to identify trends and growth over time and coordinate with other teachers using Along with their students. - Better Recommendations in the Library
Recommendations based on the type of question asked. Guided prompts for teachers for each Library question help teachers reflect on what they’re hearing from students and how to respond to it.
November 2022
- Multiple Teachers per Student
Students can now connect with more than one teacher on Along! This will allow multiple teachers at a school to use Along with any of their students as needed. Teachers are able to view how many other teachers their students are reflecting with and communications will remain one-to-one with individual teachers and students. - Respond to Student Reflections with Stickers
Teachers can now respond to a reflection with Stickers on Along. Teachers will have access to and see the full range of stickers to choose from when typing a response to students’ responses to their reflection questions. Stickers can be standalone and a response to student reflections.
October 2022
- Student grouping
Teachers are now able to create groups of students in Along. Grouping allows teachers to organize students in smaller groups to make it more sustainable to manage classes or students with specific focus areas. You can create groups anytime—before or after adding students to Along.
August 2022
- Class codes
Now you can roster your students via Class codes. Once you sign in to Along, you’ll have access to your Class code. You can then share your code in whatever mode of communication you use with your students, whether that’s through email or a messaging app. - Content Library Updates
We redesigned our collections, so they’re organized by topics that are top of mind for teachers. Topics like: “Getting to know your students”, “Sharing sparks and strengths”, or “Celebrating wins” can help teachers quickly access relevant content. - Favoriting
You’re now able to favorite Collections, Reflection questions, Classroom Activities, and Educator Practices so you can quickly navigate back to them. - Weekly Recommendations
There are a selection of timely reflection questions tailored to meet teacher and student needs throughout the school year–updated weekly.
June 2022
- Resources and guidance for educators
Educators can now find guidance and resources in the side navigation on Along.
April 2022
- Student navigation
Students can now see their reflections organized into New, Answered, and Expired. - Easier ways to see the steps to invite students
We made it easier for you to see how to add students to Along.
March 2022
- Share questions with fellow educators
You can now copy/paste the URL when you click a Question Card from a collection to share it with other educators using Along.
February 2022
- Keep track of questions you've sent
You can now find a blue checkmark on question cards that you’ve used before. - Countdown for videos
When you press "Record" on a reflection question, you will now see a 3-2-1 animation before your recording begins.
November 2021
- Updates for students recording reflections
Changes to the student experience give students a more inviting visual experience that showcases the reflection question, gives students a clear choice about how they want to respond (through video, audio, or text), and works smoothly across all devices — desktop, mobile, and tablet. After they are done responding, we’ve also added a new module that directs them to any additional open questions.
October 2021
- Email Batching
You will now receive updates on student activity in the form of a daily digest. If you want, you can go to your account page after you’ve signed into Along and choose between receiving live updates, a daily digest, or a weekly digest.
September 2021
- Updates for educators recording reflection questions
Educators now have a full screen dedicated to recording a reflection question, rather than just a pop-up. This makes it easier for you to record your reflection, customize the talking points on the right-hand side and reference them as you record, and preview your reflection before sending it to your students.
April 2021
- Add additional students to reflection questions
It is now possible to add students to reflection questions, even after recording and sending! Click the Add button in the bottom right when you’re viewing a prompt you sent, and you’ll be able to add more students to the question. - Record audio reflections
There is now a way to send and receive audio messages. Select the Audio option when you’re on the recording screen to get started. - Select a video overlay
You can now use a video overlay when recording a video. Select one of our colorful overlays before you start recording to add a fun addition to your video that highlights your smiling face! We know that teachers and students aren’t always in an environment conducive to recording videos, and we hope this feature will help in those situations. Please note that video overlays only work on desktop computers using the Chrome browser.
- Students can set a status
When students log in to Along, they’ll see a card asking, “What’s on your mind?” where they can share what’s new and exciting in their lives. Only teachers can view a student’s status, and it is visible to them on the Students page, when viewing the student’s reflection, or on the student’s profile page.
March 2021
- Redesigned Students page
You’ll be able to sort your students by when they were last active, when they last replied, and more. You can easily invite additional students to Along with a new welcome link, and find engagement tips. - Schedule a reflection prompt
We’ve made it possible to choose between sending a reflection prompt video immediately, or scheduling it up to two weeks in advance. You’ll be able to pick a future date to send later when you start a new reflection. - Create a follow up reflection
When you reply to a student's reflection, you can now click the "Send and continue reflection" button to immediately create a new reflection prompt video that builds upon the conversation you are having with an individual student.
February 2021
- Capture teacher notes
Now when you watch a student reflection or look at a student profile, you can jot down notes and reminders for yourself. These notes will only be seen by you when you review your student reflections.