How students work with custom tasks
userEducator Xello productXello 6-12 Time5 minutes

Custom tasks build upon existing Xello activities or introduce new tasks that go beyond the built-in curriculum. They give students a clear place to complete work such as updating their resume, tracking activities done outside of Xello, building digital portfolios, or meeting with an advisor.

When custom tasks are assigned, students see them directly on their dashboard in their To-do list. Students will see the title, a short description, and instructions provided when the task was created. As students submit their work, tasks are marked as Done or moved into In review until an educator approves the submission.

Learn how students

Complete a custom lesson

Custom lessons guide students to build upon a task in Xello or can be used to complement built-in Xello lessons. These tasks can also include prerequisites, ensuring students complete specific Xello activities before they begin.

How students complete a custom lesson in Xello: 

  1. From their Xello dashboard, in their To-do list, students locate and click the custom lesson.
  2. The card expands to show a short description of the lesson. Students click Get started.
    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom lesson is highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
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    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom lesson is highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
    • They can also find all their custom lessons by clicking Home in menu at the top of any page and selecting Lessons.
      Lessons page in Xello. The cursor is clicking a custom lesson called Career Bucket List.
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      Lessons page in Xello. The cursor is clicking a custom lesson called Career Bucket List.
  3. The custom lesson opens with any assigned prerequisites listed at the top.
    • If there are no prerequisites (or they are complete): The student completes the required work or reflection response directly in the task.
    • If a prerequisite is incomplete: The task is locked. There will be message explaining the required prerequisite. Where applicable, they'll click a button that takes them directly to the work they need to complete. Check out Lesson prerequisites for students to learn more.
      A custom lesson in a student account is open. There is a title and short description. At the top of the lesson there is a banner indicating that the student needs to save 3 careers before they can complete the lesson.
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      A custom lesson in a student account is open. There is a title and short description. At the top of the lesson there is a banner indicating that the student needs to save 3 careers before they can complete the lesson.
  4. Once finished, they click Submit.

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Complete a custom activity

Custom activities give students a way to log achievements, reflections, or work completed both inside and outside of Xello. These tasks guide students to fulfill specific requirements, such as typing a text response or attaching a file to share proof of their work.

How students complete a custom activity:

  1. From their Xello dashboard, in their To-do list, students locate and click the custom activity.
  2. The card expands to show a short description of the activity. Students click Get started.
    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom activity is open and highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
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    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom activity is open and highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
  3. Students enter their response or upload their attachment directly in the task.
    A custom activity open in a student account. There is space for the student to either type out their answer or upload a file.
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    A custom activity open in a student account. There is space for the student to either type out their answer or upload a file.
  4. Once finished, they click Submit.

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Submit a portfolio project

Portfolios give students a place to showcase organized digital collections of their work, talent, interests, and career exploration. Custom portfolio projects can guide students to curate their work and submit a finished portfolio to fulfill a task.

How students submit a portfolio project in Xello: 

  1. From their Xello dashboard, in their To-do list, students locate and click the portfolio task.
  2. The card expands to show a short description. Students click Get started.
    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom portfolio is open and highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
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    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list with a custom portfolio is open and highlighted. The cursor is clicking Get started.
  3. Based on their existing portfolios:
    • If a student already has portfolios created: They choose the relevant portfolio from the list.
      A custom portfolio project open in a student account. The cursor is selecting a portfolio to submit.
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      A custom portfolio project open in a student account. The cursor is selecting a portfolio to submit.
    • If a student hasn't created a portfolio yet: They click Manage portfolios to go to the Portfolios page and create one.
      A custom portfolio project open in a student account. There are no portfolios done so the cursor is clicking Manage portfolios to redirect the student to the Portfolios page.
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      A custom portfolio project open in a student account. There are no portfolios done so the cursor is clicking Manage portfolios to redirect the student to the Portfolios page.
  4. After creating or updating their portfolio, students return to the task in their To-do list, select the finished portfolio, and click Submit.

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Work with an advisement session

Advisement sessions represent one-on-one or group check-ins between students and educators focused on topics like postsecondary planning, course selection, or academic success.

How students complete an advisement session:

  1. From their Xello dashboard, in their To-do list, students locate and click the advisement session.
  2. The card expands to show a short description.
    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list is open. The student's advisement session is highlighted. There is a note that says An educator will mark this task as complete.
    Click to enlarge
    Student dashboard in Xello. The To-Do list is open. The student's advisement session is highlighted. There is a note that says An educator will mark this task as complete.
  3. This task is read-only for students. Once the educator conducts and logs the required session, the task automatically updates and is marked as Done.

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Additional resources

  • pdfShort video
    Short videoYour dashboard - student-facing video

    Share this short video with students to help them learn all about their Xello dashboard.

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