Problem: What is "Selective Release" and how do I use it in my Vista course site? Solution: Selective Release is the feature built into Vista that allows you to release course content according to differing criteria. Instead of making an item available to all members of the course, you specify a number of restrictions on the access to a particular item on your course site. You can set release criteria that control the availability of content based on the following factors: 1. Date - For example, you can make a staggered release of your lecture notes relevant to the date that you will be covering a specific topic. 2. Group Membership - You can create teams to work on projects and set up chat rooms and discussion boards that only a particular group can access. 3. Grade Book Criteria - You can make it so that only those who received an 80 or below on a particular quiz can see an extra credit homework assignment. 4. Member Name - This would be used anytime you had something specific for a particular student or students (such as a quiz, assignment, discussion board, file, etc.). NOTE: Assessments and Assignments have dates of availability directly in their settings, meaning you do not need to set up additional release criteria for the dates of availability or due dates. For more information on general usage of the Selective Release criteria, try these interactive demos: http://vista.ncsu.edu/media/vista4_demos/designers/selective_release_inv.htm http://vista.ncsu.edu/media/vista4_demos/designers/use_selective_release_tool.htm And if you have any questions, contact the LearnTech help desk, at (919) 513-7094, or by email at learntech@ncsu.edu.