Submitting Your Assignments in EaseLabs

This guide will walk you through the process of submitting your assignments in EaseLabs, from final checks to understanding your submission status. Submitting your work correctly and on time is crucial for your success in the course!

Introduction to Submitting Assignments

Submitting your assignment through the EaseLabs platform is the official way to hand in your work. It ensures that your instructor receives it for grading and can provide you with feedback directly within the system.

Why is submitting through EaseLabs important?

• Official Record: It creates an official timestamped record of your submission.
• Grading: This is how your instructor will access your work for grading, whether it's through automated tests, manual review, or a combination.
• Feedback Loop: You'll receive grades and feedback from your instructor directly on the platform.

What happens after submission?

• Automated Tests: For coding assignments, your submission will likely be run against a series of automated test cases, including "hidden" tests that you couldn't see while working in the Playground.
• Instructor Review: Your instructor will review your submission, look at your code or answers, check the test results, and provide a grade and feedback.

For a general overview of how submissions are handled, you can also check out the Student Submissions section on our Features page.

Before You Submit

Before you hit that "Submit" button, it's always a good idea to do some final checks:

1. Review Assignment Requirements: Quickly re-read the assignment instructions to make sure you've addressed all parts of the task.
2. Test Your Code Thoroughly:
   • Ensure your code runs correctly without errors.
   • Run all available sample/public test cases in the Playground one last time.
   • Think about edge cases or inputs not covered by the sample tests.
3. Save Your Final Version: If the Playground requires manual saving, make sure you've saved the latest version of your code/work. Most online playgrounds auto-save, but it's good to be sure.
4. Check for Any Last-Minute Instructions: Sometimes instructors post clarifications or last-minute updates. A quick check can save you trouble.

How to Submit

Submitting your assignment is usually done from the Interactive Playground or the main assignment page:

1. Locate the "Submit" Button:
   • In the Playground: This is the most common place. After you're done coding and testing, look for a "Submit," "Submit Assignment," or similar button.
   • On the Assignment Page: Sometimes, especially for non-coding assignments or if you're uploading files, the submit button might be on the main assignment details page.
2. Click "Submit": Once you're confident, click the submit button.
3. Confirmation (Important!):
   • The system might ask you to confirm your submission. Read this confirmation prompt carefully. It might tell you which version of your work will be submitted or remind you about submission policies.
   • Click "Confirm," "Yes, Submit," or the equivalent to proceed.
4. Processing Indicator: You might see a message like "Submitting..." or "Processing your submission." Please be patient and don't navigate away from the page or close your browser prematurely unless instructed it's safe to do so.
5. Submission Received Confirmation: After successful submission, you should see a clear confirmation message (e.g., "Submission Successful," "Assignment Submitted"). You might also receive an email confirmation.

Understanding Submission Status

After submitting, you can usually track the status of your assignment:

• Where to Check:
  • On the assignment page itself.
  • In your list of assignments for the course.
  • On your main student dashboard.
• Common Statuses:
  • Submitted: Your work has been received.
  • Processing/Running Tests: Automated tests are currently being run against your submission.
  • Needs Grading/Pending Review: Automated tests are complete (if any), and it's now awaiting manual review by your instructor.
  • Graded: Your instructor has finished grading, and your grade and feedback should be available. (See Viewing Grades and Feedback).
• Results from Hidden Tests: For coding assignments, the results from hidden automated tests might be shown immediately after processing, or your instructor might choose to reveal them only after all grading is complete. These results will directly impact your grade.

Multiple Submissions/Re-submissions

Your instructor decides the policy on multiple submissions for each assignment:

• Check Assignment Instructions: The assignment details or course syllabus should clarify if you can submit multiple times.
• Which Submission Counts?: If multiple submissions are allowed, it's usually the latest one submitted before the deadline that counts for grading. However, always verify this with your instructor or the assignment guidelines.
• Penalties for Re-submissions: Sometimes, there might be a penalty for excessive re-submissions, or only a certain number might be allowed.
• How to Re-submit: If allowed, the "Submit" button will usually still be active (or become active again). Submitting again will typically overwrite your previous submission or add it as a new version, depending on the platform's setup.

If you're unsure about the re-submission policy, always ask your instructor.

Viewing Submission History

EaseLabs often allows you to view a history of your submissions for an assignment:

• Navigate to the assignment page.
• Look for a "Submission History," "My Submissions," or similar tab/link.
• Here, you might find:
  • Timestamps of each submission.
  • The files you submitted (if applicable, you might be able to download them).
  • The score you received for each graded submission attempt.
  • Feedback provided for each attempt.

This history can be useful for tracking your progress and understanding feedback on different versions if you re-submitted. You can also track your overall performance via student analytics.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Submission Button Greyed Out/Inactive:
  • Deadline Passed: The most common reason. Check the assignment deadline.
  • Not Saved: In some playgrounds, you might need to save your work before the submit button becomes active.
  • Assignment Not Started: You might need to officially "start" the assignment before you can submit.
• Submission Failing or Errors During Submission:
  • Network Issues: Check your internet connection.
  • Platform Errors: Occasionally, the platform might experience temporary issues. If you see an error message, try again after a few minutes. If the problem persists, take a screenshot of the error and contact your instructor or the platform's support (if a channel is provided) as soon as possible, especially if it's near the deadline.

Best Practices for Submitting Assignments

• Submit Well Before the Deadline: Avoid the last-minute rush. Technical issues can happen, and you don't want to miss the deadline because of them.
• Double-Check Your Work: Before the final click, give your assignment one last look to ensure it's what you intend to submit.
• Verify Submission Confirmation: Don't assume your submission went through. Always look for the confirmation message. If you're unsure, check your submission status.
• Keep a Local Copy (Optional but Wise): While EaseLabs stores your work, it can sometimes be wise to keep a local backup of your code or important files, just in case.

Submitting your assignments correctly is a key part of your academic journey. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your hard work gets to your instructor smoothly!