Instructors using the CL-150 Platform and Transparent Language Online can create custom lessons using LessonGin, our lesson authoring technology for quickly building compelling, multi-activity language lessons that work on almost all common smartphones, tablets and laptops.

We recently added a new batch of features and updates to LessonGin that give instructors more flexibility and control over their lessons. Here’s a summary of what’s new and noteworthy!

Lesson Unlocking

We listened to your feedback about lesson unlocking—we know how painful it was to lose progress when editing the lesson text, even just to fix a typo. But no more! Authors can now make changes to the lesson text on the Text Details screen without losing any progress. Once you make your changes and click Save and Continue, a message will warn you which activities need to be updated to maintain consistency. You’ll also see reminders on the Activity Selection screen, where certain activities will have a “Needs Review” label.

Lesson Unlocking

Excel and B4X Import

Vocab items can now be imported from an Excel (.xlsx) file. Want to re-use vocab items from an existing list in the CL-150? Download the B4X and import it on the Vocab Editing screen.

Import vocab from an Excel file or B4X file

Vocab Editing – Auto-generate Transliteration

You can now auto-generate transliteration for vocab items using the “Transliterate All” button. Transliterations are powered by Google Translate’s Transliteration service and can be edited after generation if any adjustments are needed.

Auto-generate transliteration from Google Transliteration

Table Activity Configuration

Colors and font style formatting can now be imported from an Excel (.xlsx) file. Authors can create tables in Excel with font colors and other formatting, which will be retained when imported into LessonGin in the Table activity.

Table activity now includes styles/formatting when importing from an Excel file

Slide Show Activity Configuration

The Slide Show activity now supports line breaks, making it easier to format longer slides.

Slideshow activity now respects line breaks

Lesson PDF Access

The lesson workbook is now accessible inside the lesson menu, under “Print/Save”.

Access Lesson Workbook PDFs from inside the lesson

Interested in using LessonGin to create lessons for your students? Find out more about Transparent Language Online for Education or the CL-150 Platform for US government language programs.