We’ve made several updates to PocketLab Notebook to improve usability and streamline navigation. Here’s what’s new:
Improved Side Rail Navigation
We’ve replaced the old side navigation panel with a sleek, compact side rail that stays open across most pages, except for lesson pages. This design makes it easier to navigate in and out of the main areas of the app without unnecessary clicks.
Enhanced Content Library Icons
We’ve introduced colorful icons for the free PocketLab content library and any premium libraries you’ve added. These icons:
- Help you quickly find the right resources.
- Feature a shorter label under each icon.
- Display the full library name when you hover over the button.
Dynamic Back Button
The new dynamic back button in the upper-left corner of the page shows exactly where you’ll go when you click it. This button updates based on your current location in the app and helps you:
- Move between assignments within a class.
- Navigate across lessons and collections in a curriculum.
- Easily return to previous pages in all app areas.
Lesson Page Improvements
Lesson pages have received several focused updates:
-
Assign and Edit Version buttons are now pinned to the top bar, making them always accessible as you scroll through the lesson.
-
The side rail is hidden in lesson view and is replaced by the lesson outline for simplified, focused navigation.
-
To leave a lesson page, simply click the dynamic back button at the top—it will return you to a page where the side rail is available again.
Simplified Student Accounts
The student experience is now more streamlined:
-
The side navigation panel is removed for students.
-
Students default to the Assignments page and can easily switch to My Lab Reports or Trials using tabs at the top of the page.
-
This cleaner layout maximizes screen space, especially on smaller devices like Chromebooks and tablets.
Top Bar Color Change
We’ve updated the top bar in teacher accounts from dark grey to white. This refresh:
- Makes the app feel more modern.
- Provides room for additional buttons in the lesson view.
Profile Button Update
The profile button in teacher accounts has been moved to the bottom of the side rail and now matches your user icon. This update:
- Frees up space in the top bar for the dynamic back button and additional action buttons in the lesson view.
- Consolidates more functionality and navigation into the side rail for a streamlined experience.
---
New Feature: Multi-Version Assignments
You can now assign different versions of the same lesson to individual students within one assignment.
PocketLab Notebook has always allowed you to customize lessons to fit your classroom. Now, you can:
- Create differentiated lesson versions to support student IEPs or individual learning needs.
- Assign the primary version to most students while selecting specific students to receive a differentiated version—all within the same assignment.
How to Assign Multiple Versions:
- In a content library lesson, select Edit Version.
- Customize the lesson for specific students or groups.
- Return to the Primary Version and click Assign.
- Choose to assign the lesson to Lab Groups or Individuals.
- Use the dropdown menu to select the version for each student or group.
- Click Send Assignment.
Notes:
- Class Collaboration cards will remain the same across all versions within an assignment.
- This feature is currently available for lessons in content libraries. It will soon be supported for lessons you create from scratch in My Lessons
Assign to Another Class
You can now easily assign the same lesson to additional classes directly from the assignment page.
How it works:
- On the assignment page, click the dropdown menu under the Open Lesson button.
- Select Assign to Another Class.
- Choose another class to quickly assign the same lesson.
This new feature makes it simple to assign the same lesson across multiple classes without having to start over.
---
New Feature: Notebook AI Tools Are Here!
PocketLab Notebook now includes powerful AI tools to help teachers save time and create classroom-ready resources from any lesson. With just a few clicks, you can:
-
Translate lessons into 100+ languages
-
Adjust reading level for differentiation
-
Generate documents like quizzes, rubrics, lesson plans, and family letters
-
Use your own prompt to create custom content
Access these tools from the Edit Version → Notebook AI menu in any lesson.