Getting Started for Students

Welcome to EaseLabs! We're excited to have you join our platform. EaseLabs is designed to make your experience with programming labs smoother, more interactive, and more engaging. This guide will walk you through the basics so you can hit the ground running.

Logging In or Registering

Getting access to EaseLabs is simple:

1. Account Creation: Your instructor will likely guide you on how to get your EaseLabs account. This might be through an invitation link sent to your email, or by providing you with login credentials. If you're unsure, please check with your instructor.
2. Logging In: Once you have your account details, go to the EaseLabs login page and enter your credentials.

Overview of the Student Dashboard

After logging in, you'll land on your Student Dashboard. This is your personalized hub for everything related to your coursework on EaseLabs. Here, you can easily:

• See all the courses you're enrolled in.
• Keep track of upcoming and active assignments.
• Access your recent submissions and view valuable feedback from your instructors.
• Monitor your overall progress in different subjects.

Take a moment to explore your dashboard and get familiar with its layout!

How to View Assigned Courses and Assignments

All your coursework is organized and easy to find:

1. Accessing Your Courses: From the dashboard, you'll see a "My Courses" or similar section. Click on a course to see its details and assignments.
2. Viewing Assignments: Inside each course, you'll find a list of assignments. Each assignment will typically show:
   • The title and a brief description.
   • The due date.
   • Its current status (e.g., Not Started, In Progress, Submitted, Graded).
   • Click on an assignment to view its full details, including instructions from your instructor and any starter code.

How to Use the Interactive Code Editor/Playground

One of the best features of EaseLabs is the built-in interactive playground! As mentioned in What is EaseLabs?, this is where you can write, test, and debug your code directly in your browser.

1. Open an Assignment: Navigate to the assignment you want to work on.
2. Launch the Playground: Look for a button like "Start Assignment," "Open Playground," or "Solve."
3. The Editor Interface: You'll typically see:
   • A code editor where you can write your solution.
   • A section for assignment instructions.
   • Buttons to "Run Code," "Test Code," or "Submit."
   • An output area to see the results of your code execution and test cases.
4. Writing and Testing Code:
   • Write your code in the editor.
   • Use the "Run Code" or "Test Code" button frequently. This allows you to check your solution against the public test cases provided by your instructor and get instant feedback. This iterative process helps you catch errors early and learn faster!
   • Debug any issues based on the output and feedback provided.

For more details on the capabilities of the interactive playground, such as supported languages and specific testing features, you can refer to the EaseLabs Features page.

Steps for Submitting Solutions

Once you're confident with your solution:

1. Ensure You've Tested Your Code: It's always a good idea to run your code against the available test cases one last time before submitting.
2. Find the Submit Button: In the assignment playground or viewing page, look for a "Submit Assignment," "Submit Solution," or similar button.
3. Confirm Submission: You might be asked to confirm your submission. Make sure you're submitting the correct version of your work.
4. Submission Confirmation: After submitting, you should see a confirmation message. Your instructor will now be able to see your work.

How to View Grades and Feedback

After your instructor has reviewed your submission:

1. Check Your Dashboard: Your dashboard might show notifications for newly graded assignments.
2. Navigate to the Assignment: Go to the specific assignment within the course.
3. View Your Grade: Your grade should be displayed, often alongside the results of the automated tests.
4. Read Instructor Feedback: Look for comments or annotations from your instructor. This feedback is valuable for understanding your mistakes and improving your skills.

How to Track Your Progress

EaseLabs helps you stay on top of your performance:

1. Assignment Overview: Your dashboard and course pages will often give you a quick overview of your grades on past assignments.
2. Progress Section: There might be a dedicated "Progress" or "Grades" section where you can see a more detailed breakdown of your performance across all assignments and courses.
3. Review Past Work: Use your past submissions and feedback as a learning tool. Identify areas where you can improve.

---

We're excited for you to start using EaseLabs! It’s built to help you focus on what matters most: learning and mastering programming concepts with less hassle and more immediate feedback. If you have questions about how to use a specific feature, don't hesitate to explore the platform or ask your instructor for guidance. Good luck with your labs, and happy coding!