Originally published 9 April 2021
With the 20.20.10 October release, we introduced a new major d2l.Tools.BrightspaceDataSets.Version: 6.0. As our Change Management Policy indicates, we provide a 6-month adoption period for major changes because we recognize adopting major changes requires effort on your end to accommodate the changes in the data sets. Please keep in mind that the adoption period will end in April 2021 and anyone who has not already adopted version 6.0 will be migrated at that time.
Due to the impact to clients, major changes are something we try to avoid. However, another goal is to provide data access to our clients in a performant, complete and understandable way. In the upcoming major version 6.0, several columns will be added while others will be removed. Please note that the added columns will also apply to version 5.7 but the removed columns will only apply to version 6.0.
Columns have been removed from data sets in version 6.0 to normalize our data sets. This reduces redundancy by exposing attributes and dimensions of objects in object data sets, such as Survey Objects, opposed to also including attributes of objects in interaction data sets, such as Survey Attempts. The addition of a version column is to allow users to distinguish which row is fresher in the case of duplicates in differentials.
The following 8 Brightspace Data Sets (BDS) have been affected:
1. Announcements - removed HasReleaseCondition, added ResultId
We removed HasReleaseCondition and replaced it with ResultId as this allows you to join to the Release Conditions data sets and determine which release condition the announcement is associated with. This is more useful than simply indicating that there is a release condition associated with the announcement.
2. Competency Activities - added ActivityType and Version
We have moved ActivityType from Competency Activity Results to Competency Activities.
The Version field has been added to allow users to distinguish which row is fresher in the case of duplicates in differentials.
3. Competency Activity Results – removed ActivityName, ObjectLookupId, AssessmentType, RubricName, RubricLevelRequired, AssessmentThresholdCritieria, Assessment Threshold, and ActivityType
We have removed all these fields as they can be found within the Competency Activities data set.
4.Discussion Posts – removed ForumId
We removed ForumId as it can be found within the Discussion Topics and Discussion Forums data set.
5. Grade Schemes – removed SymbolString, RangeStart, RangeEnd and AssignedValue,added Version
We removed SymbolString, RangeStart and Assigned value as they can be found in the Grade Scheme Ranges data set. RangeEnd was removed as this can be calculated. The Version field has been added to allow users to distinguish which row is fresher in the case of duplicates in differentials.
6. Rubric Assessments – removed LevelAchieved, RubricName, ActivityName
We have removed these columns as they can all be found in other data sets. LevelAchieved can be found in Rubric Object Levels. RubricName can be found in Rubric Objects. And ActivityName can be found in each of the corresponding activity data sets (e.g. Assignment Summary, Competency Activities, Quiz Objects, Survey Objects, Discussion Topics, Grade Objects, and Content Objects) depending on which activities you may have aligned rubrics to. You can use the ActivityObjectId to link to these corresponding data sets.
7. Rubric Assessment Criteria – removed LevelAchieved, added Version
We removed LevelAchieved as it can be found in Rubric Object Levels.
The Version field has been added to allow users to distinguish which row is fresher in the case of duplicates in differentials.
8. Survey Attempts – removed SurveyName, added Version
We removed the SurveyName as it can be found in Survey Objects.
The Version field has been added to allow users to distinguish which row is fresher in the case of duplicates in differentials.
Please note that if you use Self-Serve Analytics (part of Performance Plus) you may be impacted by this major version change.
If you have additional questions about the new major version 6.0, please feel free to post below or reach out to your account team for some additional support and to learn about our consulting engagements.