Platform Features
UPCOT was built from scratch for modern learning — AI curriculum design, full grading, live attendance, verifiable credentials, enterprise integrations, and much more. All in one platform.
Free to explore. Pay when you're ready to grow.
Curriculum Design
Start with the outcome. End with a fully structured curriculum. UPCOT works with you, not against you.
Start with where learners should end up. Define the learning outcome, then build the final assessment around it. From there, UPCOT works backwards — breaking down the assessment into lessons structured around your exact schedule format.
Organize lessons, reorder elements, nest content up to 10 levels deep, and structure your course visually. No code required.
Full draft and publishing workflow. Control when content is visible, schedule lesson availability, and lock content based on dates or prerequisites.
Add teaching assistants and co-instructors to any course. Each team member gets granular permissions for content editing, roster management, and grading.
Self-enrollment, admin-managed rosters, and enrollment request workflows with approval/denial. Control who gets in and when.
Courses adapt to any schedule format — once a week for 10 weeks, twice a week with homework, 5-day intensives, self-paced, or anything in between.
Public course catalog with search and filtering. Students browse available courses, view previews, and self-enroll or request access.
Content Types
Build rich, varied learning experiences without switching tools. Every content type works in the same drag-and-drop course builder.
Rich text content pages powered by the custom UPCOT editor. Math equations, inline citations, callout blocks, tables, and more — all in one page.
Embed YouTube videos with privacy-enhanced mode (youtube-nocookie.com). Wrap left, wrap right, or full width. Captions supported.
Ten question types with auto-grading, multiple attempts, randomized question draws from banks, time limits, and manual grading for essays.
Any element with a due date becomes a graded assignment. File submissions, text responses, and manual grading all supported. Feeds directly into the gradebook.
Threaded discussion forums per course or per lesson. Students and instructors can reply, react, and engage asynchronously.
QR-code-based attendance elements. Generate rotating codes, track check-ins, and sync attendance data to the gradebook automatically.
Upload SCORM 1.2 and 2004 packages. Full runtime API with launch, commit, and terminate. Progress and completion sync to the gradebook.
The full UPCOT editor is used everywhere — lessons, newsletters, messages, and course descriptions. One editor to learn, used across the entire platform.
The Content Editor
UPCOT's rich content editor was built from scratch — not bolted on from TinyMCE or CKEditor. It supports mathematical equations, inline citations, callout blocks, tabbed panels, collapsible sections, and much more.
Write real math with full LaTeX support powered by KaTeX. Insert inline equations like E = mc² or display-mode formulas for theorems, proofs, and problem sets. A built-in symbol browser with 7 categories and 16 quick-insert templates means you never have to memorize LaTeX syntax.
Cite your sources with inline footnote references that auto-generate a "Sources & References" section at the bottom of every page. Each reference links bidirectionally — click the superscript to jump to the source, click the source to jump back. URLs are auto-detected and linked.
Symbol Browser
Inline Citations
Studies show that active recall improves retention by 50%[1] compared to passive review[2].
Sources & References
[1] Karpicke & Blunt (2011). Science, 331(6018)
[2] Roediger & Butler (2011). Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Insert tables with configurable rows and columns, optional header rows, and zebra-striped styling. Click any cell to get controls for adding or removing rows and columns.
Five callout types — Info, Tip, Warning, Danger, and Note — each with distinct colors and icons. Perfect for highlighting important information, prerequisites, or gotchas.
Insert tab blocks with unlimited tabs. Each tab has its own editable content area. Add, rename, and remove tabs from a context menu. Tabs work interactively in the student view.
Native HTML details/summary elements for expandable content. Sections are always open in edit mode, togglable in the student view. Great for FAQs, optional reading, and supplemental material.
One click generates a table of contents from all headings (H1–H5) in the document. Clickable anchor links with smooth scrolling. Refresh to re-scan after editing.
Inline code with monospace styling and code blocks with a dark editor theme (Catppuccin-style). Tab key inserts spaces inside code. Enter creates line breaks, not new paragraphs.
Insert side-by-side content columns. Each column is independently editable. Responsive — collapses to a single column on mobile devices under 640px.
Insert accented letters, currency symbols (including ₿), typographic marks, arrows, card suits, and math symbols from a categorized picker. Click to insert — the panel stays open for multiple insertions.
Drag-and-drop or file picker upload. Images are re-encoded through GD to strip EXIF data, embedded scripts, and polyglot payloads. Server-generated filenames prevent path traversal.
Choose from Inter, Lato, Nunito, Playfair Display, Merriweather, and Source Code Pro — loaded from Google Fonts. Pick from 25 font sizes (8px to 96px) and 7 line heights.
Search through your content with case-sensitive matching. Navigate between matches with previous/next buttons. Replace one at a time or replace all with a count of changes made.
Toggle into raw HTML source with a monospace code editor. Or preview the fully rendered student view in a modal without saving. View your content exactly as students will see it.
Text Formatting
Bold, Italic, Underline, Strikethrough
Superscript & Subscript
Text color (12 swatches)
Highlight color (12 swatches)
Headings H1–H5 + Blockquote
Layout & Structure
Bullet & numbered lists (3 nesting levels)
Indent / Outdent
Left, center, right, justify alignment
Horizontal rules
Two-column responsive layouts
Media & Links
Image upload with alt text & captions
YouTube embeds (privacy-enhanced)
External URL links (auto https://)
Course page links (searchable list)
Image float: left, right, normal
Productivity
15+ keyboard shortcuts
Clean paste (strips Word/Docs junk)
Fullscreen focus mode (F11)
Word count, char count, reading time
Undo / Redo / Remove formatting
Quizzes & Assessments
Build assessments that actually test understanding — not just memorization. Pull from question banks for unique quizzes every time.
Multiple attempts with scoring modes
Choose highest score, last score, or average across attempts.
Question groups with random draw
Pull N random questions from a bank so every student gets a unique quiz.
Per-question points & explanations
Set point values individually. Add explanations students see after submission.
Time limits
Set quiz duration. Timer shows students how long they have remaining.
Manual grading queue
Essay and short-answer responses queue up for instructor review with inline rubric scoring.
Build reusable banks not tied to any course. Use them across all your courses. Perfect for instructors who teach multiple sections or multiple courses with overlapping material.
Banks scoped to a specific course. Shared among all instructors and TAs on that course. Preserved during Canvas imports so you keep your existing question library.
Move or copy banks between personal and course scope. Duplicate entire banks to other courses with a single click. Bulk delete when you need to clean house.
Pull N random questions from a bank so every student gets a unique quiz. Great for preventing cheating and encouraging mastery over memorization.
Set point values individually on each question. Add explanations that students see after submission — turning assessments into learning opportunities.
Set quiz duration with a visible countdown timer. Choose how to score multiple attempts — keep the highest score, the last score, or the average across all attempts.
Gradebook
Real classrooms aren't simple. Students miss work. They get excused. They submit late. UPCOT handles all of it natively.
Switch grading modes per course. Configure late penalties as flat deductions or percentages. Create weighted categories for homework, quizzes, exams, and participation. Drop the lowest score in a category automatically.
Administrators define custom grading scales with reorderable letter-to-percentage mappings. Set a default scale, or let instructors pick per course. Export grades to CSV at any time.
Sample Gradebook
Enter grades in bulk from a spreadsheet-style view. Tab through cells and update multiple students at once without page reloads.
Configure late submission penalties per assignment — flat point deductions or percentage reductions. The gradebook calculates the adjusted score automatically.
Students see their own grades, feedback, and standing. Instructors can toggle a student-view mode to see exactly what students see.
Four lock types: date-based (open/close windows), prerequisite-based (must complete previous lesson), days-after-entry (unlocks N days after enrollment), or always open. Control the pace of learning.
Export the full gradebook to CSV at any time. Compatible with institutional record systems, SIS platforms, and spreadsheet tools for end-of-term reporting.
Lead Instructor, Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Student, and Auditor — each with distinct capabilities. 13 permission checks: manage course, edit content, grade, manage attendance, post announcements, and more.
Attendance
No sign-in sheets. No $40 clickers. No honor system. Students scan a rotating QR code on any device in under five seconds.
Credentials
A PDF certificate anyone could fake isn't a credential. UPCOT issues permanent, verifiable proof tied to a real record.
Certificate of Completion
Introduction to Data Science
Messaging
Direct messages, group conversations, file attachments, emoji reactions, course announcements, and admin moderation — all without leaving UPCOT. No Slack add-on. No email chains.
All conversations in one place — inbox, sent, archived, and search. Unread counts update in real time via long-polling. Mark read, archive, or mute from the inbox.
Create groups with custom names, add or remove members, and manage settings. Perfect for project teams, study groups, or course cohorts. Per-tier recipient limits enforce fair use.
Attach images, PDFs, Office docs, and ZIPs up to 8 MB. Images are auto-compressed (1200px max width, 80% JPEG quality). Secure file serving ensures only participants can access shared files.
React to messages with emoji (grouped counts with names). Edit or delete messages within a 5-minute window. Report inappropriate content to moderators with a reason — admins review in a moderation queue.
Broadcast announcements to entire courses. Students receive notifications routed to their preferred email address. Keeps course communication in one place without cluttering personal inboxes.
Messages retained for 7 years per FERPA requirements. Administrators can review conversations for compliance when needed. Deleted messages show ghost text to users but full content is preserved for admin review.
Import & Export
UPCOT supports every major learning content standard. Your content is yours — always.
Import entire courses from Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Sakai. Content, quizzes, structure, and question banks come with you.
Export your UPCOT courses to Common Cartridge format for use on other platforms. Full round-trip compatibility.
Upload SCORM packages and they just work. Full runtime API with launch, commit, and terminate. Progress tracking syncs to the gradebook.
Built-in Learning Record Store (LRS). xAPI statements are captured, stored, and queryable. Track learning activities beyond SCORM.
Export gradebook data to CSV at any time. Compatible with institutional record systems, SIS platforms, and spreadsheet tools.
Import student rosters via CSV for bulk enrollment. Upload hundreds of users at once for seasonal onboarding or institutional registration.
Enterprise Integrations
Native integrations with Workday, SAP, and webhook-based event systems. Enterprise-grade without the enterprise contract.
Courses appear in your Workday learning catalog. Completions push back automatically. Employees launch training without a separate login.
Native Open Content Network integration. UPCOT courses show in the SAP learning catalog with automatic completion reporting.
Per-tenant SAML configuration with IdP metadata, ACS URL, attribute mapping, and single logout. Employees never need a separate UPCOT password.
Subscribe to LMS events (course completed, quiz passed, certificate issued, enrollment created) and receive real-time HMAC-signed webhook deliveries.
Each enterprise connection operates as its own tenant with isolated API credentials, content filtering, user mapping, and delivery tracking.
Map external employee IDs (Workday worker IDs, SAP employee IDs) to UPCOT accounts. Auto-provision users on first launch. Track provisioning status.
Admin & Security
User management, platform settings, legal compliance, and multi-factor authentication — all built in from day one.
View, edit, suspend, activate, force-activate, and reset passwords for any user. Search and filter the entire user base from one admin panel.
Control registrations, homepage mode (open/coming soon), CTA behavior, footer text, and global configuration from one settings page.
TOTP-based 2FA with QR code setup, backup codes, and recovery flow. Users can enable/disable from their profile. Admins can enforce org-wide.
Email verification on registration. Password reset with secure token links. Multiple email addresses per account with independent verification.
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy pages with editable content. Built-in defaults that you can customize. Managed through the admin panel.
Create custom letter-to-percentage grading scales. Reorder levels, set a default scale, and let instructors override per course.
Waitlist management with invite system. Beta invite codes with NDA tracking, activation/deactivation, and user assignment tracking.
Users can report messages. Admins review reported content in a moderation queue with full conversation context. Warn, remove, or dismiss reports.
FERPA-compliant audit trail for student data access. Consent flow, audit log viewer, and comprehensive data access tracking for compliance.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Accessible by design, with built-in tools for managing student accommodations and ensuring ADA Section 508 compliance.
The entire UPCOT interface is built to WCAG 2.1 AA standards. Keyboard navigable, screen-reader friendly, and high-contrast ready.
Assign extended time to individual students for timed quizzes and exams. Set at the student level, applies across all timed content in the course.
Offer content in alternative formats for students with documented accommodations. Track accommodation types and notes at the student level.
Administrators create and manage accommodation categories. Toggle types active/inactive. Assign accommodations to individual students with notes.
UPCOT works identically on iOS Safari, iOS Chrome, Android Chrome, Windows Edge, Windows Chrome, macOS Safari, and macOS Chrome. No feature differences.
Create courses in any language. Parallel course versions for different languages. System notifications and certificates respect learner language preferences.
Profile & Account
Full profile management, notification preferences, and account security — all from one page.
Upload or remove your avatar. Manage your display name, bio, and public profile. Control what's visible to other users.
Add multiple email addresses to your account. Verify each independently. Set your primary email and control which address receives which notifications.
Route notifications per email address and per course. Control which alerts you get and where they go. Mute courses you're auditing.
Store multiple addresses on your profile. Set contact defaults, control course visibility, and manage which address appears where.
Choose whether to appear in the platform directory. Opt out entirely for maximum privacy while keeping your account fully functional.
Guests can upgrade to course creator through a guided onboarding flow. Start with free-tier limits, then upgrade when you're ready to publish.
How We Compare
| Feature | UPCOT | Canvas / Others |
|---|---|---|
| Open to individual creators | ||
| AI-powered backwards curriculum design | ||
| Custom-built rich content editor | ||
| KaTeX math equations in editor | ||
| Inline citations with auto-references | ||
| Callout blocks, tabs, accordions in editor | ||
| 10 quiz question types | ||
| Reusable question banks (personal + course) | ||
| Missing / Excused / Late grade modifiers | ||
| QR code attendance built in | ||
| Verifiable credentials on completion | Enterprise only | |
| SCORM 1.2 and 2004 support | ||
| xAPI with built-in LRS | Enterprise only | |
| Import from Canvas / Moodle / Blackboard | Enterprise only | |
| Workday CCL integration | Enterprise only | |
| SAP SuccessFactors OCN integration | Enterprise only | |
| Built-in messaging with reactions | ||
| Full newsletter publishing platform | ||
| Newsletter marketplace with discovery | ||
| Newsletter open & click analytics | ||
| Paid newsletter subscriptions | ||
| 6 pre-built email templates | ||
| CAN-SPAM compliant email delivery | ||
| Multiple TAs and instructors per course | ||
| WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility | ||
| Student accommodation management | Enterprise only | |
| FERPA-compliant audit logging | Enterprise only | |
| Two-factor authentication | ||
| No enterprise contract required |
Why UPCOT?
We call it UPCOT —
Universal Personalized Curriculum Optimization Toolkit.
The dream of a community built around learning, tailored to every person inside it — finally, a platform worthy of the idea.
The Platform You've Been Waiting For
Stop stitching together half-solutions. UPCOT gives you the full toolkit — from curriculum design to verifiable credentials — in one place.
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