Defined FAQs
If you’re exploring project based learning and the Defined suite of learning resources for the first time, it’s natural for you to have questions. Take a look at some of our FAQs below on:
General Usage
What is Defined Learning?
Defined Learning is a digital resource that promotes authentic learning through UbD performance tasks and non-fiction literacy tasks for Grades K-12 in math, science, ELA and social studies. We focus on deeper understanding of concepts and problem solving skills using performance tasks and project based learning. Defined Learning provides authentic performance tasks and non-fiction literacy tasks for Grades K-12 in math, science, ELA and social studies.
For more information on Defined Learning, click here
How do I get a Defined Learning trial?
A trial can be obtained by clicking on the “Take A Free Trial” button that can be found on the home page as well as many other pages. Click here to register for a Defined Learning web demo.
Is training available?
Defined offers a range of Professional Learning Opportunities. Reach out to info@definedlearning.com for more information.
Can Defined Learning content be edited?
Yes, every Defined Learning task can be completely modified to suit the individual needs of the user. To further customize tasks, users can upload and attach custom content.
Are standards incorporated in Defined Learning tasks?
Yes, to ensure Defined Learning content meets learning standards, every task has been hand-aligned to national and state standards including Common Core and C3.
Can Defined Learning videos be downloaded?
Yes, every Defined Learning video can be downloaded in MP4 format. Defined Learning videos can also be embedded via the embed link located in the upper left-hand corner of the video player.
Can Defined Learning content be downloaded?
Yes, every Defined Learning video can be downloaded in MP4 format. Defined Learning videos can also be embedded via the embed link located in the upper left-hand corner of the video player.
Can Defined Learning content be exported or printed?
Yes, Defined Learning performance tasks and literacy tasks can be exported in DOC format or in PDF. The export buttons can be found within the “Perform an Action” dropdown menu on the task page.
Are there any student assessments?
Yes, each project is considered an authentic-assessment. In addition to rubrics, districts and/or teachers have the ability to choose various state-standards and/or skills to assess when evaluating student work.
Is Defined Learning available in other languages?
Yes, Defined Learning uses the Google Translate plugin to allow users to convert all text to over 80 different languages in real time.
Do you have read-along audio available?
Yes we do! All student content includes the ReadSpeaker webReader button. This allows the student to highlight text and listen to the content being read to them.
Forgot username/password
Forgot Username
Click here to have your username emailed to you.
Forgot Password
Click here to have a password reset link emailed to you.
How do I use Defined Learning with canvas?
For Canvas integration instructions, please click here.
Site Navigation
What is the login proceedure when using an access code?
- Find the Access code input located under “New Users” tab on the Defined Learning Users home page.
- Input your access code and click the “Register” button.
- Fill out the registration form.
- After your account has been successfully created, click on the link presented to log in.
- Enjoy Defined Learning.
Where can i report a problem?
Problems with the Defined Learning website can be reported by filling out the contact form located here.
Where can I submit suggestions for improvements?
Suggestions for improvements of Defined Learning can be reported by filling out the contact form located here.
Where can I collaborate with colleagues?
Teachers are automatically included in a group along with all other users from that school. Teachers can also create new groups and invite users from their school district. The invited user must accept the group invite which can be found in the Defined
Learning message center. Users can share customized tasks and folders within the group. Tasks can also be shared via short URL, student code and/or on social media sites.
In addition, for the 2019-2020 school year, we’ve added the ability to share classrooms between multiple teachers.
Where can I find student code/short url?
Click here to learn more about sharing Defined Learning resources
How do students access Defined Learning?
Students have their own login. Setup of student logins can be done by the district or teachers have the ability to create students and classes in the “My Classes” section of the site.
Alternatively, student access is provided by each teacher through the use of short urls and/or student codes. Online submission requires the student to use their own account. If you do not wish to have students submit work online, it is not required.
Student Rostering can be done a number of ways. Please contact us for more information.
Click here to learn more about sharing Defined Learning resources
How do my teachers gain access (adfs, usernames/passwords,google,lti)?
Defined Learning provides multiple ways for users to sign in to make implementation easier for your district/school.
- Clever Integration: Defined Learning partners with Clever to provide a complete rostering solution for districts
- Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS): Districts wishing to utilize an ADFS solution can contact us to set us up as a service provider
- Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI): Districts utilizing LTI enabled portals/LMS (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, etc..) can request a key/secret for single sign on access for their teachers.
- Google: Districts utilizing Google Classrooms/Gmail/Docs etc.. can utilize our Google Login button on the homepage after providing us with an email domain to authenticate against. Please contact us for details. Google Classrooms can be imported within My Classes
- Access Codes – Username/Passwords: Our implementation team can provide access codes which allow individual teachers to sign up instantly.
Where can I find information on Defined Learning’s terms of service?
A link to the Defined Learning terms of service can be found at the bottom of every page and right here.
Technical Questions
General troubleshooting tips
If content doesnt load correctly, refresh the page, if the problem persists perform a hard reset by holding the ‘ctrl’ key and pressing ‘f5’ if using a PC (‘cmd’ + ‘f5’ if using a mac).
Can Defined Learning be used by phones, tablets or other mobile devices?
Yes, Defined Learning can be used with phones, tablets and other mobile devices. An internet connection is required.
What data is stored?
Teacher Data:
Name, email, username and password.
Student Data:
Student Data is only stored for districts utilizing our assessment platform. Student data is limited to Firstname, Lastname, grade, email, and student id. For information on student privacy, please click
What is my information used for?
The user information collected by Defined Learning is used for internal reports and reports requested by school districts and to verify login credentials. No user information is shared or sold to any outside entity. For more information view our privacy policy here
Is my password secure?
Yes, passwords are salted and hashed using a one-way hashing algorithm.
Recommendations for a secure password
We do recommend districts are setup with a Single Sign On platform. In these cases passwords are stored on those respective systems.
If you do need regular username/password access use a variety of letters, numbers and symbols. Length is important, longer passwords are more secure than short passwords.
What firewall provisions need to be made to view Defined Learning/ Defined Careers / CorePBL?
For Defined Learning provide firewall access for the following domains:
- *.definedlearning.com (currently www,users,lrs,videos,images,useruploads subdomains are utilized)
- dlrn.us (url-shortener for shared links) (required)
- fonts.googleapis.com (font) (optional)
- *.google-analytics.com (analytics) (optional)
- translate.google.com (translate widget) (optional)
- *.readspeaker.com (audio highlight & read-along widget)
For Defined Careers provide firewall access for the following domains:
- *.definedlearning.com (currently www,users,lrs,videos,images,useruploads subdomains are utilized)
- *.definedcareers.com
- dlrn.us (url-shortener for shared links) (required)
- fonts.googleapis.com (font) (optional)
- *.google-analytics.com (analytics) (optional)
- translate.google.com (translate widget) (optional)
- *.readspeaker.com (audio highlight & read-along widget)
- *.vimeo.com (some video hosting)
- definedlearning.slides.com (resource hosting)
For CorePBL provide firewall access for the following domains:
- *.definedlearning.com (currently www,users,lrs,videos,images,useruploads subdomains are utilized)
- *.corepbl.com
- dlrn.us (url-shortener for shared links) (required)
- fonts.googleapis.com (font) (optional)
- *.google-analytics.com (analytics) (optional)
- translate.google.com (translate widget) (optional)
- *.readspeaker.com (audio highlight & read-along widget)
- *.vimeo.com (some video hosting)
For Performance Task PD with Jay McTighe provide firewall access for the following domains:
- *.performancetask.com (currently www,assets,blog subdomains are utilizied)
- *.definedlearning.com (currently www,users,lrs subdomains are utilized)
Video / Multimedia Resource Notes
- Videos are served via http through port 80.
- Video encoding/extensions are .mp4
- If your browser accepts .swf files, Performance Task PD with Jay McTighe will utilize swf files during course playback. If your browser does not accepts swf files, mp4 videos are used for playback over http.
What are the technical requirements?
Browsers Supported:
- Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Edge, Safari
- Internet Explorer is not supported
Mobile Devices Supported (support driven from mobile browser):
- Tablets
- IOS (iPad)
- Android
- Windows (Surface)
- Other
- Chromebook
Other Requirements:
- PDF Viewer
Firewall Provisions:
- External Links
- Some resources have links to vetted content which provide research opportunities for students. Cached versions are available if necessary.
- Domains – provide firewall access for the following domains:
- *.definedstem.com (required) – Currently used subdomains if needed – (www,images,s3-video,app,learn,admin,students)
- *.definedlearning.com (required) – Currently used subdomains if needed – (www,users,admin,images,s3-video,app,students)
- *.performancetask.com (required for professional online development course only)
- dlrn.us (url-shortener for shared links) (required)
- fonts.googleapis.com (font) (optional, some styling issues may occur if blocked)
- *.google-analytics.com (analytics) (optional)
- translate.google.com (translate widget) (optional)
