ZIP Archive Content

The Portfolio of Evidence ZIP Archive settings provide administrators with granular control over the contents of downloadable evidence packages. The strategic purpose of these settings is to allow the customization of which supplementary files are bundled with the core report PDF. This enables administrators to tailor the evidence package for different stakeholders and purposes—from a lean, report-only package for a quick supervisory review to a comprehensive archive with all supplementary files for a formal audit or accreditation.

The ZIP Archive itself is a downloadable package containing a central Report page PDF (which can be either a Curriculum or Transcript report) along with any optional, supplementary files that have been enabled. The following steps will first show you how to locate these settings within the administrative interface.

Accessing the ZIP Archive Settings #

Accessing the configuration controls for the ZIP Archive is straightforward. The settings are consolidated on a single page within the administrative menu.

To navigate to the settings page, follow this path:

Admin Menu → Settings → Portfolio of Evidence → Settings tab

The next section provides a detailed breakdown of each configuration option available on this page, explaining its function and impact on the final ZIP Archive.

Analysis of Configuration Options #

The following subsections analyze each available toggle switch for the ZIP Archive content. We will detail each setting’s default state and its precise impact on what is included in the final downloadable package.

Report page PDF #

Default State: ON

• This setting includes the compiled PDF of the on-screen report (either a Curriculum or a Transcript). It is a static copy of what is rendered in the browser at the time of generation.
• This PDF forms the core of the ZIP Archive. All other items selected in these settings are supplementary and are bundled as separate files alongside this central document.

Assignments #

Default State: ON

• Enabling this option includes the actual student-submitted assignment files as separate items within the ZIP Archive.
• While information and metadata about the assignments are displayed within the main Report page PDF, the submitted files themselves are not printed inside it. This setting ensures the original files are included for direct review.

Uploaded essays #

Default State: ON

This setting handles essay files based on how the essay question was configured. It’s important to understand the distinction between the two types:

• For essays of the ‘Upload’ type, the student’s actual uploaded file (e.g., a .docx or .pdf document) is added to the ZIP Archive as a separate file. The filename of the submission is noted within the main Report page PDF, linking the report to the separate file in the archive.
• For essays of the ‘Text Box’ type, the student’s written answer is printed directly within the body of the main Report page PDF. Consequently, no extra file is added to the ZIP Archive for this type of essay.

Certificates #

Default State: ON

• This option bundles any earned course or quiz certificate PDFs into the ZIP Archive.
• Each certificate is included as a separate PDF file. Importantly, these certificates are not printed or displayed within the main Report page PDF.
• Having reviewed the individual settings, it is essential to understand the overarching system rules that govern how the archive is generated and performs.

Critical Considerations and System Behavior #

Beyond the individual settings, there are overarching rules and performance considerations that administrators must understand to manage the ZIP Archive feature effectively and ensure a smooth user experience.

The Archive Generation Rule #

There is one critical rule that governs the creation of the archive. Please note this important operational behavior:

If all items are unchecked, including the Report page PDF, the system will not create a ZIP Archive. Since the archive requires content to be generated, deselecting all options—including the core PDF—prevents its creation.

Performance Implications #

There is a direct relationship between the number of files included in the ZIP Archive and system performance. Including large bundles of files, such as numerous student assignments and certificates for a comprehensive report, will increase the overall size of the ZIP Archive. This larger file size will naturally lead to longer download times for the end user.

Administrators should be mindful of this trade-off. When configuring the archive, consider the end-user’s needs and connection speed. A complete evidence package may be necessary for archival purposes, but a more selective configuration will provide a faster, more convenient download for routine checks.

Quick Reference: Settings Summary #

This table provides a consolidated, at-a-glance summary of all ZIP Archive content settings, their default states, and their impact on the final package.

Setting	Default State	Function	Location in ZIP
Report page PDF	ON	Includes the compiled PDF of the Curriculum or Transcript report.	Acts as the central PDF file within the ZIP.
Assignments	ON	Includes student-submitted assignment files.	Separate file in ZIP
Uploaded essays	ON	Includes files for ‘Upload’ type essays. ‘Text Box’ essays are printed inside the core PDF.	Separate file in ZIP
Certificates	ON	Includes course and quiz certificate PDFs.	Separate file in ZIP