Using Intelligent Agents
There are a number of examples that you can import which are held in Space Admin of the VU Collaborate Essentials space. Have a look to see if there are some that suit your course.
Below are the steps to use the Intelligent Agent
- Access The Agent Tool
- Add Agent Details
- Add Agent Criteria
- Agent Action
- Popup Update Agent Schedule
- Email Format and Strings
1. Select Space Admin on the main navigation bar.
2. Under the Communication heading, click Intelligent Agents.
3. From the Agent List screen click on New.
Step Two: Add Agent Details
1. Write a Name for your agent.
2. You can write a Description to remind you of the agent’s purpose.
3. Tick the Status box to enable the agent.
Step Three: Add Agent Criteria
For this example we will set up the following properties:
1. Tick the Login Activity action.
2. Select the option User has not logged in for at least (write 6) days.
3. Tick the Course Activity action.
4. Select the option User has not accessed the course for at least (write 6) days.
Note: You can add Release Conditions if there is any.
Step Four: Agent Action
1. Select the first option to ensure that the email is sent only once.
2. Tick the box Use Schedule.
3. Click Update Schedule to specify the Repeats and Schedule Dates options.
Step Five: Popup Update Agent Schedule
For this example we will set up the following properties.
1. Select Repeats Daily and write 1 day to ensure that the agent checks the user’s criteria every day.
2. Tick Has Start Date to define when the agent will begin.
3. Click on the calendar icon and select the start date such as the first day of your teaching period.
4. Similarly, tick Has End Date and select the last day of your teaching period.
5. Click Update to finish the agent’s schedule set up.
Step Six: Email Format and Strings
1. Select HTML format to customise your email.
2. Write {InitiatingUser} in the To: to ensure that the email is sent to any user that meets the agent’s criteria.
3. You can write your own email address in the Cc: to show your students your email address and to receive a copy of each email sent. Alternatively, you can also use Bcc: to only receive a copy of each email sent.
4. Write the email subject. You can use the replace strings of {OrgUnitCode} and {OrgUnitName} to personalise the email with your own unit code and unit name.
Tip: What replace strings can I use in the subject and message?
The following are replace strings you can use in the subject line and the message (email body).
{OrgName} - The name of the organisation.
{OrgUnitCode} - The code for the Org Unit.
{OrgUnitName} - The name of the org unit.
{OrgUnitStartDate} - The start date specified for the org unit.
{OrgUnitEndDate} - The end date specified for the org unit.
{InitiatingUserFirstName} - The first name of the initiating user.
{InitiatingUserLastName} - The last name of the initiating user.
{InitiatingUserUserName} - The username of the initiating user.
{InitiatingUserOrgDefinedId} - The Org Defined Id of the initiating user.
{LoginPath} - The address of the login path for the site.
5. Write the message. You can use the replace string {InitiatingUserFirstName} to personalise the email with the student’s first name.
6. Click Save and Close to finish.
Further Support
Visit the VU Collaborate Help site at https://vucollaboratehelp.vu.edu.au for up to date information and resources on blended learning or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contact ITS Service Desk on (03) 9919 2777 or via self-service http://servicedesk.vu.edu.au for further technical support.