diff --git a/actions/ajax/datatable/grading.php b/actions/ajax/datatable/grading.php
index c1ad9542..f2b25973 100644
--- a/actions/ajax/datatable/grading.php
+++ b/actions/ajax/datatable/grading.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 $unallocated = optional_param('unallocated', false, PARAM_BOOL);
 
 // Grading report display options.
-$report_options = array();
+$report_options = [];
 if ($unallocated) {
     $report_options['unallocated'] = true;
 }
diff --git a/actions/allocate.php b/actions/allocate.php
index cc4afb5c..e20fbf2c 100644
--- a/actions/allocate.php
+++ b/actions/allocate.php
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 $assessorallocationstrategy = optional_param('assessorallocationstrategy', false, PARAM_TEXT);
 
 $moderationruletype = optional_param('addmodsetruletype', 0, PARAM_ALPHAEXT);
-$deletemodsetrule = optional_param('delete-mod-set-rule', array(), PARAM_RAW) ;
+$deletemodsetrule = optional_param('delete-mod-set-rule', [], PARAM_RAW) ;
 
 // options used for pagination
 // If a session variable holding page preference for the specific coursework is not set, set default value (0).
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
 $options = compact('sortby', 'sorthow', 'perpage', 'page');
 
 // $_POST['allocatables'] comes as array of arrays which is not supported by optional_param_array, however we clean this later in process_data() function
-$formdataarray = isset($_POST['allocatables']) ? $_POST['allocatables'] : array();
+$formdataarray = isset($_POST['allocatables']) ? $_POST['allocatables'] : = [];
 
 require_login($course, true, $coursemodule);
 
diff --git a/actions/allocationsession.php b/actions/allocationsession.php
index e5da9a24..8e29a1b1 100644
--- a/actions/allocationsession.php
+++ b/actions/allocationsession.php
@@ -26,20 +26,20 @@
 
 $assesorselect = required_param_array('assesorselect', PARAM_RAW);
 $assesorselectvalue = required_param_array('assesorselectvalue', PARAM_RAW);
-$pinnedchk = optional_param_array('pinned', array(), PARAM_RAW);
-$pinnedchkval = optional_param_array('pinnedvalue', array(), PARAM_RAW);
-$moderatorselect = optional_param_array('moderatorselect', array(), PARAM_RAW);
-$moderatorselectvalue = optional_param_array('moderatorselectvalue', array(), PARAM_RAW);
-$samplechk = optional_param_array('sample', array(), PARAM_RAW);
-$samplechkvalue = optional_param_array('samplevalue', array(), PARAM_RAW);
+$pinnedchk = optional_param_array('pinned', [], PARAM_RAW);
+$pinnedchkval = optional_param_array('pinnedvalue', [], PARAM_RAW);
+$moderatorselect = optional_param_array('moderatorselect', [], PARAM_RAW);
+$moderatorselectvalue = optional_param_array('moderatorselectvalue', [], PARAM_RAW);
+$samplechk = optional_param_array('sample', [], PARAM_RAW);
+$samplechkvalue = optional_param_array('samplevalue', [], PARAM_RAW);
 $coursemoduleid = required_param('coursemoduleid', PARAM_INT);
 
 if (!isset($SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions)) {
-    $SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions = array();
+    $SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions = [];
 }
 
 if (!isset($SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions[$coursemoduleid])) {
-    $SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions[$coursemoduleid] = array();
+    $SESSION->coursework_allocationsessions[$coursemoduleid] = [];
 }
 
 for ($i = 0; $i < count($assesorselect); $i++) {
diff --git a/actions/set_personal_deadlines.php b/actions/set_personal_deadlines.php
index 042e2fdf..c6d42bf4 100644
--- a/actions/set_personal_deadlines.php
+++ b/actions/set_personal_deadlines.php
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
         'node-base')
 );
 $PAGE->requires->js_init_call('M.mod_coursework.init_personal_deadlines_page',
-    array(),
+    [],
     false,
     $jsmodule);
 
diff --git a/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_activity_task.class.php b/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_activity_task.class.php
index 21d954e8..1e98ecdb 100644
--- a/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_activity_task.class.php
+++ b/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_activity_task.class.php
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class restore_coursework_activity_task extends restore_activity_task
      * @return array of restore_decode_rule
      */
     static public function define_decode_rules() {
-        $rules = array();
+        $rules = [];
 
         $rules[] = new restore_decode_rule('COURSEWORKBYID',
                                            '/mod/coursework/view.php?id=$1',
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ static public function define_decode_rules() {
      * @return array
      */
     static public function define_decode_contents() {
-        $contents = array();
+        $contents = [];
 
         $contents[] = new restore_decode_content('coursework', array('intro'), 'assign');
 
diff --git a/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_stepslib.php b/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_stepslib.php
index e072e1fe..4dece12d 100644
--- a/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_stepslib.php
+++ b/backup/moodle2/restore_coursework_stepslib.php
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ static function cheaplog($thing, $append = true) {
      * @return restore_path_element $structure
      */
     protected function define_structure() {
-        $paths = array();
+        $paths = [];
 
         $paths[] = new restore_path_element('coursework', '/activity/coursework');
         $paths[] = new restore_path_element('coursework_sample_set_rule', '/activity/coursework/coursework_sample_set_rules/coursework_sample_set_rule');
diff --git a/classes/allocation/manager.php b/classes/allocation/manager.php
index 766ba509..ce3f8dce 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/manager.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/manager.php
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public function __construct(coursework $coursework) {
         $this->coursework = $coursework;
 
         // Instantiate the allocation strategies so we can use them.
-        $strategytypes = array();
+        $strategytypes = [];
         if (!empty($this->coursework->assessorallocationstrategy)) {
             $strategytypes[] = coursework::ASSESSOR;
         }
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ public static function get_allocation_classnames($type = coursework::ASSESSOR) {
 
         $classdir = $CFG->dirroot . '/mod/coursework/classes/allocation/strategy';
         $fullclassnames = glob($classdir . '/*.php');
-        $options = array();
+        $options = [];
         foreach ($fullclassnames as $fullclassname) {
             if (strpos($fullclassname, 'base') !== false) {
                 continue;
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ public function auto_generate_moderation_set() {
         }
 
         // These are the ones we will actually moderate (or which have already been moderated).
-        $moderation_set = array();
+        $moderation_set = [];
 
         // Move all the already marked ones into the set. These have to stay in it and ought to
         // be taken into account so that the other rules just add to them.
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ public function auto_generate_sample_set() {
         $sampleplugins = $DB->get_records('coursework_sample_set_plugin', null, 'pluginorder');
         $order = 0;
 
-        $sample_set = array();
+        $sample_set = [];
 
         $allocatables = $this->get_coursework()->get_allocatables();
 
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ public function auto_generate_sample_set() {
                     if (!isset($manual_sample_set[$k])) $manual_sample_set[$k] = $v;
                 }
 
-                $auto_sample_set = array();
+                $auto_sample_set = [];
 
                 foreach ($sampleplugins as $plugin) {
                     $classname = '\mod_coursework\sample_set_rule\\' . $plugin->rulename;
diff --git a/classes/allocation/strategy/base.php b/classes/allocation/strategy/base.php
index 1512bd61..4069fa15 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/strategy/base.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/strategy/base.php
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ abstract class base {
      *
      * @var array
      */
-    private $settings = array();
+    private $settings = [];
 
     /**
      * @var stage_base
diff --git a/classes/allocation/strategy/equal.php b/classes/allocation/strategy/equal.php
index b1efbf91..114391e4 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/strategy/equal.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/strategy/equal.php
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public function save_allocation_strategy_options() {
      * @return mixed
      */
     protected function list_of_allocatable_teachers_and_their_current_number_of_allocations($teachers, $student) {
-        $teacherids = array();
+        $teacherids = [];
 
         foreach ($teachers as $id => $teacher) {
             if ($this->teacher_already_has_an_allocation_for_this_allocatable($student, $teacher)) {
diff --git a/classes/allocation/strategy/group_assessor.php b/classes/allocation/strategy/group_assessor.php
index 307e2a04..e4550630 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/strategy/group_assessor.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/strategy/group_assessor.php
@@ -66,6 +66,6 @@ public function save_allocation_strategy_options() {
      * @return mixed
      */
     protected function list_of_allocatable_teachers_and_their_current_number_of_allocations($teachers, $student) {
-        return array();
+        return = [];
     }
 }
diff --git a/classes/allocation/strategy/none.php b/classes/allocation/strategy/none.php
index 4b4fdfc5..81a2e2ab 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/strategy/none.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/strategy/none.php
@@ -72,6 +72,6 @@ public function save_allocation_strategy_options() {
      * @return mixed
      */
     protected function list_of_allocatable_teachers_and_their_current_number_of_allocations($teachers, $student) {
-        return array();
+        return = [];
     }
 }
diff --git a/classes/allocation/strategy/percentages.php b/classes/allocation/strategy/percentages.php
index 3e957be5..a6fc2064 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/strategy/percentages.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/strategy/percentages.php
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ public function save_allocation_strategy_options() {
 
         // Get the data from the form.
         $name = $this->get_name();
-        $data = optional_param_array('assessorstrategy'.$name, array(), PARAM_RAW); // Array[teacherid] => value.
+        $data = optional_param_array('assessorstrategy'.$name, [], PARAM_RAW); // Array[teacherid] => value.
 
         if (!is_array($data)) {
             return true;
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ private function teacher_already_has_maximum_allocations($teacher) {
      * @return array
      */
     protected function list_of_allocatable_teachers_and_their_current_number_of_allocations($teachers, $student) {
-        $teacherids = array();
+        $teacherids = [];
         foreach ($teachers as $teacher) {
 
             if ($this->teacher_already_has_an_allocation_for_this_allocatable($student, $teacher)) {
diff --git a/classes/allocation/table/builder.php b/classes/allocation/table/builder.php
index 38b59c48..f31c9087 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/table/builder.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/table/builder.php
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public function __construct($coursework, array $options) {
     public function get_rows() {
         $allocatables = $this->get_coursework()->get_allocatables();
 
-        $rows = array();
+        $rows = [];
         foreach ($allocatables as $allocatable) {
             $rows[] = new row_builder($this, $allocatable);
         }
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public function get_table_rows_for_page() {
 
         $allocatables = $this->get_coursework()->get_allocatables();
 
-        $rows = array();
+        $rows = [];
         foreach ($allocatables as $allocatable) {
             $rows[] = new row_builder($this, $allocatable);
         }
diff --git a/classes/allocation/table/cell/builder.php b/classes/allocation/table/cell/builder.php
index 6ccc44c8..9061d6f0 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/table/cell/builder.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/table/cell/builder.php
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class builder {
      * @param stage_base $stage
      * @param array $data_array incoming data from the allocation form
      */
-    public function __construct($coursework, $allocatable, $stage, $data_array = array()) {
+    public function __construct($coursework, $allocatable, $stage, $data_array  = []) {
         $this->coursework = $coursework;
         $this->allocatable = $allocatable;
         $this->stage = $stage;
diff --git a/classes/allocation/table/cell/data.php b/classes/allocation/table/cell/data.php
index 9e24e9a1..e86f01a1 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/table/cell/data.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/table/cell/data.php
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class data {
      * @param stage_base $stage
      * @param array $data
      */
-    public function __construct($stage, $data = array()) {
+    public function __construct($stage, $data  = []) {
         $this->data = $data;
         $this->stage = $stage;
         $this->preprocess_data();
diff --git a/classes/allocation/table/cell/processor.php b/classes/allocation/table/cell/processor.php
index 768ac3a0..f009d81a 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/table/cell/processor.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/table/cell/processor.php
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class processor {
      * @param stage_base $stage
      * @param array $data_array incoming data from the allocation form
      */
-    public function __construct($coursework, $allocatable, $stage, $data_array = array()) {
+    public function __construct($coursework, $allocatable, $stage, $data_array  = []) {
         $this->coursework = $coursework;
         $this->allocatable = $allocatable;
         $this->stage = $stage;
diff --git a/classes/allocation/table/processor.php b/classes/allocation/table/processor.php
index c0a143c9..7b6c5f85 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/table/processor.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/table/processor.php
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public function __construct($coursework) {
     /**
      * @param array $table_data
      */
-    public function process_data($table_data = array()) {
+    public function process_data($table_data  = []) {
         $clean_data = $this->clean_data($table_data);
         $allocatables = $this->coursework->get_allocatables();
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public function process_data($table_data = array()) {
             if (array_key_exists($allocatable->id(), $clean_data)) {
                 $row_data = $clean_data[$allocatable->id()];
             } else {
-                $row_data = array();
+                $row_data = [];
             }
 
             $allocatable = $this->get_allocatable_from_id($allocatable->id());
@@ -101,14 +101,14 @@ private function clean_data($raw_data) {
 // )
 // );
 
-        $clean_data = array();
+        $clean_data = [];
         foreach ($raw_data as $allocatable_id => $datarrays) {
 
             if (!$this->allocatable_id_is_valid($allocatable_id)) { // Should be the id of a student.
                 continue;
             }
 
-            $clean_data[$allocatable_id] = array();
+            $clean_data[$allocatable_id] = [];
 
             foreach ($this->coursework->marking_stages() as $stage) {
 
diff --git a/classes/allocation/upload.php b/classes/allocation/upload.php
index f201ebc1..125447cc 100644
--- a/classes/allocation/upload.php
+++ b/classes/allocation/upload.php
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public function validate_csv($content, $encoding, $delimeter) {
 
         $csvreader->init();
 
-        $errors = array();
+        $errors = [];
         $s = 0;
         // find out if this is a group or individual coursework
         $allocatabletype = $this->coursework->get_allocatable_type();
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public function validate_csv($content, $encoding, $delimeter) {
         // find all assessors for this coursework
         $assessors = get_enrolled_users($this->coursework->get_context(), 'mod/coursework:addinitialgrade');
         $assessors = array_keys($assessors); // keep only assessors' ids
-        $allocatablesinfile = array();
+        $allocatablesinfile = [];
 
         $csv_cells = array('allocatable');
         $stages = $this->coursework->get_max_markers();
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ public function validate_csv($content, $encoding, $delimeter) {
         while ($line = $csvreader->next()) {
 
             $cells = $csv_cells;
-            $assessorsinfile = array();
+            $assessorsinfile = [];
 
             if (sizeof($line) != sizeof($csv_cells)) {$errors = get_string('incorrectfileformat', 'coursework'); break;}
             foreach ($line as $keynum => $value) {
diff --git a/classes/assessor_feedback_table.php b/classes/assessor_feedback_table.php
index 67745e8f..2676e3f3 100644
--- a/classes/assessor_feedback_table.php
+++ b/classes/assessor_feedback_table.php
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public function get_renderable_feedback_rows() {
         // Makes a new result set every time, so we can modify this array without worrying about
         // messing up the cache.
 
-        $feedbackobjects = array();
+        $feedbackobjects = [];
         foreach ($this->coursework->get_assessor_marking_stages() as $stage) {
             $renderable_row = new assessor_feedback_row($stage, $this->get_allocatable(), $this->coursework);
             $feedbackobjects[] = $renderable_row;
diff --git a/classes/controllers/feedback_controller.php b/classes/controllers/feedback_controller.php
index a6fe97d1..1ac3062c 100644
--- a/classes/controllers/feedback_controller.php
+++ b/classes/controllers/feedback_controller.php
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ protected function new_feedback() {
 
         $this->check_stage_permissions($this->params['stage_identifier']);
 
-        $urlparams = array();
+        $urlparams = [];
         $urlparams['submissionid'] = $teacherfeedback->submissionid;
         $urlparams['assessorid'] = $teacherfeedback->assessorid;
         $urlparams['isfinalgrade'] = $teacherfeedback->isfinalgrade;
diff --git a/classes/controllers/moderations_controller.php b/classes/controllers/moderations_controller.php
index 16cfdbcf..d80c822c 100644
--- a/classes/controllers/moderations_controller.php
+++ b/classes/controllers/moderations_controller.php
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ protected function new_moderation() {
 
         $this->check_stage_permissions($this->params['stage_identifier']);
 
-        $urlparams = array();
+        $urlparams = [];
         $urlparams['submissionid'] = $moderator_agreement->submissionid;
         $urlparams['moderatorid'] = $moderator_agreement->moderatorid;
         $urlparams['stage_identifier'] = $moderator_agreement->stage_identifier;
diff --git a/classes/controllers/plagiarism_flagging_controller.php b/classes/controllers/plagiarism_flagging_controller.php
index a5326d87..e73f66c4 100644
--- a/classes/controllers/plagiarism_flagging_controller.php
+++ b/classes/controllers/plagiarism_flagging_controller.php
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ protected function new_plagiarism_flag() {
         $ability = new ability(user::find($USER), $this->coursework);
         $ability->require_can('new', $plagiarismflag);
 
-        $urlparams = array();
+        $urlparams = [];
         $urlparams['submissionid'] = $plagiarismflag->submissionid;
 
         $PAGE->set_url('/mod/coursework/actions/moderations/new.php', $urlparams);
diff --git a/classes/cron.php b/classes/cron.php
index d5fb181a..6fec6342 100644
--- a/classes/cron.php
+++ b/classes/cron.php
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ private static function send_reminders_to_students() {
             'users' => 0
         );
 
-        $userswhoneedreminding = array();
+        $userswhoneedreminding = [];
 
         $raw_courseworks = $DB->get_records('coursework');
         foreach ($raw_courseworks as $raw_coursework) {
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ private static function send_first_reminders_to_admins() {
      * @global  $CFG
      * @return string
      */
-    public static function coursework_debuggable_query($query, $params = array()) {
+    public static function coursework_debuggable_query($query, $params  = []) {
 
         global $CFG;
 
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ private static function send_email_reminders_to_students(array $users, array &$c
         global $DB;
 
         $emailcounter = 0;
-        $usercounter = array();
+        $usercounter = [];
 
         foreach ($users as $user) {
 
diff --git a/classes/event/assessable_uploaded.php b/classes/event/assessable_uploaded.php
index fc777a59..7b3a4cc9 100644
--- a/classes/event/assessable_uploaded.php
+++ b/classes/event/assessable_uploaded.php
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class assessable_uploaded extends \core\event\assessable_uploaded {
      *
      * @var array
      */
-    protected $legacyfiles = array();
+    protected $legacyfiles = [];
 
     /**
      * Returns description of what happened.
diff --git a/classes/export/csv.php b/classes/export/csv.php
index fc7c7949..81d7999b 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv.php
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public function export() {
         $this->csvexport = new csv_export_writer();
         $this->add_filename($this->filename);
 
-        $csv_data = array();
+        $csv_data = [];
         // headers
         $this->add_headers($this->csv_cells);
 
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public function export() {
      * @return array
      */
     public function add_cells_to_array($submission, $student, $csv_cells) {
-        $row = array();
+        $row = [];
         foreach ($csv_cells as $csv_cell) {
             if (substr($csv_cell, 0, 8) == 'assessor') {
                 $stage_dentifier = 'assessor_'.(substr($csv_cell, -1));
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ public function add_cells_to_array($submission, $student, $csv_cells) {
      * @param $csv_headers
      */
         public function add_headers($csv_headers) {
-            $headers = array();
+            $headers = [];
             foreach ($csv_headers as $header) {
                 if (substr($header, 0, 8) == 'assessor') {
                     $stage = (substr($header, -1));
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ public function get_submissions($groupid = null, $selected_submission_ids = '')
      */
     public function add_csv_data($submission) {
 
-        $csv_data = array();
+        $csv_data = [];
         // retrieve all students (even if group coursework)
         $students = $submission->get_students();
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedfeedback_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedfeedback_cell.php
index 0bae12bd..3551f7c7 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedfeedback_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedfeedback_cell.php
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return  get_string('agreedgradefeedback', 'coursework');
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
 
         global $DB, $PAGE, $USER;
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedgrade_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedgrade_cell.php
index c158425c..51a54d81 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedgrade_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/agreedgrade_cell.php
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
 
         $agreedgrade = $submission->get_agreed_grade();
         if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric() && $this->coursework->finalstagegrading != 1) {
-            $gradedata = array();
+            $gradedata = [];
             $this->get_rubric_scores_gradedata($agreedgrade, $gradedata); // multiple parts are handled here
         } else {
             $gradedata = (!$agreedgrade)? '': $this->get_actual_grade($agreedgrade->grade);
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
         if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric() && $this->coursework->finalstagegrading != 1) {
-            $strings = array();
+            $strings = [];
             $criterias = $this->coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
             foreach ($criterias as $criteria) { // rubrics can have multiple parts, so let's create header for each of it
                 $strings['agreedgrade'.$criteria['id']] = 'Agreed grade - '.$criteria['description'];
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return $strings;
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
 
         global $DB, $PAGE, $USER;
 
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ function    get_rubrics($coursework, $csv_cells) {
 
         if ($coursework->is_using_rubric()  && $this->coursework->finalstagegrading != 1) {
 
-            $rubricheaders = array();
+            $rubricheaders = [];
 
             $criterias = $coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorfeedback_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorfeedback_cell.php
index a694a77c..709fe509 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorfeedback_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorfeedback_cell.php
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return  get_string('assessorfeedbackcsv', 'coursework', $stage);
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
         global $DB, $PAGE, $USER;
 
         $agreedgradecap = array('mod/coursework:addagreedgrade', 'mod/coursework:editagreedgrade');
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorgrade_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorgrade_cell.php
index 02c0f548..5b7ce118 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorgrade_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/assessorgrade_cell.php
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
         if (($submission->get_agreed_grade() || ($feedback && $ability->can('show', $feedback))) || !$submission->any_editable_feedback_exists() || is_siteadmin($USER->id)) {
 
             if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
-                $gradedata = array();
+                $gradedata = [];
                 $this->get_rubric_scores_gradedata($grade, $gradedata); // multiple parts are handled here
             } else{
                 $gradedata = (!$grade)? '': $this->get_actual_grade($grade->grade);
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
         if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric() ) {
-            $strings = array();
+            $strings = [];
             $criterias = $this->coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
             foreach ($criterias as $criteria) { // rubrics can have multiple parts, so let's create header for each of it
                 $strings['assessorgrade'.$stage.'_'.$criteria['id']] = 'Assessor '.$stage.' - '.$criteria['description'];
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
 
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
         global $DB, $PAGE, $USER;
 
         if (empty($value)) return true;
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ function    get_rubrics($coursework, $csv_cells) {
 
         if ($coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
 
-            $rubricheaders = array();
+            $rubricheaders = [];
 
             $criterias = $coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/cell_base.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/cell_base.php
index 462dacf6..dfd9e4b4 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/cell_base.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/cell_base.php
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ public function get_stage_identifier_for_assessor($submission, $student) {
      * Function to validate cell for the file upload
      * @return mixed
      */
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissions, $stage_dentifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissions, $stage_dentifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
         return true;
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/feedbackcomments_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/feedbackcomments_cell.php
index 72c8fb78..0d68e21f 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/feedbackcomments_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/feedbackcomments_cell.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return  get_string('feedbackcomment', 'coursework');
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
 
         global $PAGE, $DB, $USER;
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/moderationagreement_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/moderationagreement_cell.php
index 3ada6dfa..a989a1e2 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/moderationagreement_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/moderationagreement_cell.php
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ class moderationagreement_cell extends cell_base {
     public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
         global $DB;
 
-        $data = array();
+        $data = [];
         $moderation_agreement = '';
         $moderation = '';
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
      */
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         if ($this->coursework->allocation_enabled()) {
             $fields['allocatedmoderatorname'] = 'Allocated moderator name';
             $fields['allocatedmoderatorusername'] = 'Allocated moderator username';
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/otherassessors_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/otherassessors_cell.php
index 7c2ff991..f853cfa6 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/otherassessors_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/otherassessors_cell.php
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
                 AND stage_identifier <> 'final_agreed_1'";
 
         $feedbacks = $DB->get_records_sql($sql, $params);
-        $gradedata = array();
+        $gradedata = [];
 
        // $stage_identifier = ($this->coursework->get_max_markers() == 1) ? "assessor_1" : $this->get_stage_identifier_for_assessor($submission, $student);
         foreach ($feedbacks as $feedback) {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
      */
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
 
         for ($i = 1; $i < $this->stages ; $i++) {
             if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/singlegrade_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/singlegrade_cell.php
index ff7e23ff..b190eb5d 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/singlegrade_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/singlegrade_cell.php
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
 
         $grade = $submission->get_assessor_feedback_by_stage($stage_identifier);
         if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
-            $gradedata = array();
+            $gradedata = [];
             $this->get_rubric_scores_gradedata($grade, $gradedata); // multiple parts are handled here
         } else {
             $gradedata = (!$grade)? '': $this->get_actual_grade($grade->grade);
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
         if ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
-            $strings = array();
+            $strings = [];
             $criterias = $this->coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
             foreach ($criterias as $criteria) { // rubrics can have multiple parts, so let's create header for each of it
                 $strings['singlegrade'.$criteria['id']] = $criteria['description'];
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
             return $strings;
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_identifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
 
         global $PAGE, $DB, $USER;
 
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ function get_rubrics($coursework, $csv_cells) {
 
         if ($coursework->is_using_rubric()) {
 
-            $rubricheaders = array();
+            $rubricheaders = [];
 
             $criterias = $coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
 
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/stages_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/stages_cell.php
index 21a4eeec..aa595648 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/stages_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/stages_cell.php
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
             $timemodified = $feedback->timemodified;
         }
 
-        $gradedata = array();
+        $gradedata = [];
         // go through each stage and get a grade, if grade not present then put  a placeholder
         for ($i = 1; $i <= $this->stages; $i++) {
             $stage_identifier = 'assessor_'.$i;
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public function get_cell($submission, $student, $stage_identifier) {
      */
     public function get_header($stage) {
 
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
 
         for ($i = 1; $i <= $this->stages; $i++) {
             if ($this->coursework->allocation_enabled()) {
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionfileid_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionfileid_cell.php
index b5278a46..36b014b2 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionfileid_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionfileid_cell.php
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return  get_string('submissionfileid', 'coursework');
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_dentifier='', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_dentifier='', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
         global $DB;
 
         if (empty($value)) {
diff --git a/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionid_cell.php b/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionid_cell.php
index 4f7c1e7f..1b3685c2 100644
--- a/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionid_cell.php
+++ b/classes/export/csv/cells/submissionid_cell.php
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public function get_header($stage) {
         return  get_string('submissionid', 'coursework');
     }
 
-    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_dentifier = '', $uploadedgradecells = array()) {
+    public function validate_cell($value, $submissionid, $stage_dentifier = '', $uploadedgradecells  = []) {
         global $DB;
         return ($DB->record_exists('coursework_submissions', array('id' => $submissionid, 'courseworkid' => $this->coursework->id()))) ? true: get_string('submissionnotfoundincoursework', 'coursework');
     }
diff --git a/classes/export/grading_sheet.php b/classes/export/grading_sheet.php
index 262daa91..799103b1 100644
--- a/classes/export/grading_sheet.php
+++ b/classes/export/grading_sheet.php
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public function get_submissions($groupid = null, $selected_submission_ids = '')
              * @var submission[] $submissions
              */
            foreach ($submissions as $submission) {
-               $stage_identifiers = array();
+               $stage_identifiers = [];
                // remove all submissions that a user is not supposed to see
 
                // double marking not allocated
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public function get_submissions($groupid = null, $selected_submission_ids = '')
      */
     public function add_csv_data($submission) {
 
-        $csv_data = array();
+        $csv_data = [];
         // groups
         if ($this->coursework->is_configured_to_have_group_submissions()) {
             $group = \mod_coursework\models\group::find($submission->allocatableid);
diff --git a/classes/export/import.php b/classes/export/import.php
index 5e96256c..40a608d2 100644
--- a/classes/export/import.php
+++ b/classes/export/import.php
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public function validate_csv($content, $encoding, $delimeter, $csv_cells) {
 
         $csvreader->init();
 
-        $errors = array();
+        $errors = [];
         $s = 0;
 
         $submissions = $this->get_submissions();
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public function validate_csv($content, $encoding, $delimeter, $csv_cells) {
             $offset = 0;
 
             // Holds details on grades that have been successfully uploaded for the current line
-            $uploadedgradecells = array();
+            $uploadedgradecells = [];
 
             for ($z = 0; $z < count($line); $z++) {
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ function rubric_count_correct($csvheader, $linefromimportedcsv) {
 
                     if (strpos($ch, $type) !== false) {
 
-                        if (empty($typepositions))   $typepositions = array();
+                        if (empty($typepositions))   $typepositions = [];
 
                         $typefound = true;
                         $typepositions[] = $i;
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ public function process_csv($content, $encoding, $delimiter, $csv_cells, $proces
             $cells = $csv;
             $i = 0;
 
-            $csvline = array();
+            $csvline = [];
 
             //if ((!$this->coursework->is_using_rubric() && sizeof($line) != sizeof($cells)) || ($this->coursework->is_using_rubric() && !$this->rubric_count_correct($csv, $line))) {
             //if (sizeof($line) != sizeof($cells)) {
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ public function process_csv($content, $encoding, $delimiter, $csv_cells, $proces
 
             $coursework = $submission->get_coursework();
 
-            $stages = array();
+            $stages = [];
 
             if (!$coursework->has_multiple_markers()) {
                 $stages['singlegrade'] = $this->get_stage_identifier($csvline['submissionid'], 'singlegrade');
@@ -400,8 +400,8 @@ public function process_csv($content, $encoding, $delimiter, $csv_cells, $proces
                 if ($coursework->is_using_rubric() && !($stage == 'final_agreed_1' && $this->coursework->finalstagegrading == 1)) {
 
                         //array that will hold the advanced grade data
-                        $criteriagradedata = array();
-                        $criteriagradedata['criteria'] = array();
+                        $criteriagradedata = [];
+                        $criteriagradedata['criteria'] = [];
 
                         $criterias = $this->coursework->get_rubric_criteria();
 
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ public function process_csv($content, $encoding, $delimiter, $csv_cells, $proces
                             $critidx = 0;
                             // This assumes that the data in the csv is in the correct criteria order.....it should be
                             foreach ($criterias as $c) {
-                                $criteriagrade = array();
+                                $criteriagrade = [];
 
                                 // We need to get the levelid for the value that the criteria has been given
 
diff --git a/classes/file_importer.php b/classes/file_importer.php
index b85d0263..5839e832 100644
--- a/classes/file_importer.php
+++ b/classes/file_importer.php
@@ -100,11 +100,11 @@ public function import_zip_files($coursework, $feedbackstage, $overwritecurrent)
 
         @set_time_limit(ASSIGNFEEDBACK_FILE_MAXFILEUNZIPTIME);
 
-        $results = array();
+        $results = [];
 
         $feedbackfilesupdated = 0;
         $feedbackfilesadded = 0;
-        $userswithnewfeedback = array();
+        $userswithnewfeedback = [];
         $contextid = $coursework->get_context_id();
 
         $fs = get_file_storage();
diff --git a/classes/files.php b/classes/files.php
index 5c988cdf..d1504677 100644
--- a/classes/files.php
+++ b/classes/files.php
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ abstract class files implements countable {
     /**
      * @param array $files
      */
-    public function __construct($files = array()) {
+    public function __construct($files  = []) {
         $this->files = $files;
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/forms/advance_plugins_form.php b/classes/forms/advance_plugins_form.php
index d52bd57e..9c2d4932 100644
--- a/classes/forms/advance_plugins_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/advance_plugins_form.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public function definition() {
 
         $mform =& $this->_form;
 
-        $mform->addElement('editor', 'text_element', get_string('comment', 'mod_coursework'), array());
+        $mform->addElement('editor', 'text_element', get_string('comment', 'mod_coursework'), []);
         $mform->setType('editor', PARAM_RAW);
 
         $file_manager_options = array(
diff --git a/classes/forms/assessor_feedback_mform.php b/classes/forms/assessor_feedback_mform.php
index 29303467..fb419e14 100644
--- a/classes/forms/assessor_feedback_mform.php
+++ b/classes/forms/assessor_feedback_mform.php
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ public function get_grading_controller() {
      */
     public function add_submit_buttons($draftenabled,  $feedbackid) {
 
-        $button_array = array();
+        $button_array = [];
 
         if ($draftenabled) {
             $button_array[] = $this->_form->createElement('submit', 'submitfeedbackbutton', get_string('saveasdraft', 'coursework'));
diff --git a/classes/forms/choose_student_for_submission_mform.php b/classes/forms/choose_student_for_submission_mform.php
index 44427fb8..78936938 100644
--- a/classes/forms/choose_student_for_submission_mform.php
+++ b/classes/forms/choose_student_for_submission_mform.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ protected function definition() {
             return;
         }
 
-        $options = array();
+        $options = [];
         $allnames = \core_user\fields::get_name_fields();
 
         foreach ($students as $student) {
diff --git a/classes/forms/deadline_extension_form.php b/classes/forms/deadline_extension_form.php
index 08a16636..b6083172 100644
--- a/classes/forms/deadline_extension_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/deadline_extension_form.php
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ public function validation($data, $files) {
             $deadline = $this->get_coursework()->deadline;
         }
 
-        $errors = array();
+        $errors = [];
         if ($data['extended_deadline'] <= $deadline) {
             $errors['extended_deadline'] = 'The new deadline must be later than the current deadline';
         }
diff --git a/classes/forms/personal_deadline_form.php b/classes/forms/personal_deadline_form.php
index c09d5576..73ef6471 100644
--- a/classes/forms/personal_deadline_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/personal_deadline_form.php
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ private function get_coursework() {
      * @return array
      */
     public function validation($data, $files) {
-        $errors = array();
+        $errors = [];
         if ($data['personal_deadline'] <= time()) {
             $errors['personal_deadline'] = 'The new deadline you chose has already passed. Please select appropriate deadline';
         }
diff --git a/classes/forms/publish_form.php b/classes/forms/publish_form.php
index dafc95d3..d97383f0 100644
--- a/classes/forms/publish_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/publish_form.php
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public function definition() {
         $this->_form->addElement('hidden', 'id', $this->_customdata['cmid']);
         $this->_form->setType('id', PARAM_INT);
 
-        $attributes = array();
+        $attributes = [];
         $explaintext = false;
         $should_release = true;
 
diff --git a/classes/forms/student_submission_form.php b/classes/forms/student_submission_form.php
index e60d65e7..b37d2dc8 100644
--- a/classes/forms/student_submission_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/student_submission_form.php
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ protected function add_submit_buttons_to_form() {
 
         $ability = new ability(user::find($USER), $this->get_coursework());
 
-        $button_array = array();
+        $button_array = [];
         // If submitting on behalf of someone else, we want to make sure that we don't have people leaving it in a draft
         // state because the reason for doing submit on behalf of in the first place is that the student cannot use the
         // interface themselves, so they are unable to come back later to finalise it themselves.
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ protected function get_file_manager_options() {
      */
     protected function make_plagiarism_instructions() {
         $plagiarism_helpers = $this->get_coursework()->get_plagiarism_helpers();
-        $plagiarism_instructions = array();
+        $plagiarism_instructions = [];
         foreach ($plagiarism_helpers as $helper) {
             if ($helper->file_submission_instructions()) {
                 $plagiarism_instructions[] = $helper->file_submission_instructions();
diff --git a/classes/forms/upload_feedback_form.php b/classes/forms/upload_feedback_form.php
index bde45e63..7f49a791 100644
--- a/classes/forms/upload_feedback_form.php
+++ b/classes/forms/upload_feedback_form.php
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function definition() {
         $mform->addElement('hidden', 'cmid', $this->cmid);
         $mform->setType('cmid', PARAM_RAW);
 
-        $options = array();
+        $options = [];
 
         if ($this->coursework->get_max_markers() > 1) {
 
diff --git a/classes/framework/ability.php b/classes/framework/ability.php
index 7712ca3a..de2bc22c 100644
--- a/classes/framework/ability.php
+++ b/classes/framework/ability.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ abstract class ability {
     /**
      * @var rule[]
      */
-    protected $rules = array();
+    protected $rules = [];
 
     /**
      * We use a different instance of the class for each user. This makes it a bit cleaner.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ protected function get_rule($action, $type) {
      * @return array
      */
     protected function classname_mappings() {
-        return array();
+        return = [];
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/classes/framework/table_base.php b/classes/framework/table_base.php
index e104fffc..06b93d57 100644
--- a/classes/framework/table_base.php
+++ b/classes/framework/table_base.php
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ public static function find($db_record, $reload = true) {
      * @return array
      * @throws \coding_exception
      */
-    public static function find_all($params = array()) {
+    public static function find_all($params  = []) {
 
         if (!is_array($params)) {
             throw new \coding_exception('::all() require an array of parameters');
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ protected static function instantiate_objects($params) {
         global $DB;
 
         $raw_records = $DB->get_records(static::get_table_name(), $params);
-        $objects = array();
+        $objects = [];
         $klass = get_called_class();
         foreach ($raw_records as $raw_record) {
             $objects[$raw_record->id] = new $klass($raw_record);
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ private function build_data_object_to_save($sneakily = false) {
      * @param array|table_base $conditions key value pairs of DB columns
      * @return bool
      */
-    public static function exists($conditions = array()) {
+    public static function exists($conditions  = []) {
         global $DB;
 
         if (is_number($conditions)) {
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ public static function exists($conditions = array()) {
      * @param array $conditions
      * @return int
      */
-    public static function count($conditions = array()) {
+    public static function count($conditions  = []) {
         global $DB;
 
         foreach ($conditions as $colname => $value) {
@@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ public function __toString() {
      * @return array
      */
     public function to_array() {
-        $data = array();
+        $data = [];
 
         // Only save the non-null fields.
         foreach (static::get_column_names() as $column_name) {
diff --git a/classes/grading_report.php b/classes/grading_report.php
index 4aa19275..b806f21b 100644
--- a/classes/grading_report.php
+++ b/classes/grading_report.php
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ public function get_table_rows_for_page($rowcount = false) {
             $participants = $this->coursework->get_allocatables();
 
             // Make tablerow objects so we can use the methods to check permissions and set things.
-            $rows = array();
+            $rows = [];
             $row_class = $this->coursework->has_multiple_markers() ? 'mod_coursework\grading_table_row_multi' : 'mod_coursework\grading_table_row_single';
             $ability = new ability(user::find($USER, false), $this->get_coursework());
 
diff --git a/classes/models/coursework.php b/classes/models/coursework.php
index 7e70851e..6712f23f 100644
--- a/classes/models/coursework.php
+++ b/classes/models/coursework.php
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ class coursework extends table_base {
     /**
      * @var array
      */
-    protected $stages = array();
+    protected $stages = [];
 
     /**
      * @var \context Instance of a moodle context, i.e. that of the coursemodule for this coursework.
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ public function get_participants($groups = array(0)) {
 
         // Fetch the list of ids of all participants - this may get really long so fetch just id.
         $groups = (array)$groups;
-        $allusers = array();
+        $allusers = [];
         foreach ($groups as $groupdid) {
             $allusers = array_merge($allusers, get_enrolled_users($this->get_context(), 'mod/coursework:submit', $groupdid, 'u.id'));
         }
@@ -819,7 +819,7 @@ public function get_allocatable_identifier_hash($allocatable) {
      */
     public function get_plagiarism_helpers() {
         $enabled_plagiarism_plugins = array_keys(\core_component::get_plugin_list('plagiarism'));
-        $objects = array();
+        $objects = [];
         foreach ($enabled_plagiarism_plugins as $plugin_name) {
             $class_name = "\\mod_coursework\\plagiarism_helpers\\{$plugin_name}";
             if (class_exists($class_name)) {
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ public function pack_files() {
         if (!$submissions) {
             return false;
         }
-        $files_for_zipping = array();
+        $files_for_zipping = [];
         $fs = get_file_storage();
 
         $grading_sheet = new \mod_coursework\export\grading_sheet($this, null, null);
@@ -1287,7 +1287,7 @@ public function get_all_submissions() {
      */
     public function get_submissions_needing_grading() {
 
-        $needsgrading = array();
+        $needsgrading = [];
         $submissions = $this->get_finalised_submissions();
 
         foreach ($submissions as $submission) {
@@ -1314,7 +1314,7 @@ public function get_submissions_needing_grading() {
      */
     public function get_graded_submissions_by_stage($stage_identifier) {
 
-        $graded = array();
+        $graded = [];
         $submissions = $this->get_finalised_submissions();
 
         foreach ($submissions as $submission) {
@@ -1336,7 +1336,7 @@ public function get_graded_submissions_by_stage($stage_identifier) {
     public function get_assessor_graded_submissions($assessorid) {
         global $DB;
 
-        $graded = array();
+        $graded = [];
         $params = array('courseworkid' => $this->id, 'assessorid' => $assessorid);
         $sql = "SELECT cs.id
                 FROM {coursework_feedbacks} cf
@@ -1925,7 +1925,7 @@ public function due_to_send_second_reminders($deadline) {
      * @return user[]
      */
     public function get_students() {
-        $users = array();
+        $users = [];
         $raw_users = get_enrolled_users($this->get_context(), 'mod/coursework:submit');
 
        // filter students who are restricted from the coursework
@@ -1967,7 +1967,7 @@ public function get_students_who_have_not_yet_submitted() {
      * @return user[]
      */
     public function initial_assessors($student) {
-        $assessors = array();
+        $assessors = [];
         $stages = $this->get_assessor_marking_stages();
         // If allocations, send the allocated teachers.
         // Otherwise send everyone.
@@ -2194,7 +2194,7 @@ public function marking_stages() {
      * @return stage_base[]
      */
     public function get_assessor_marking_stages() {
-        $stages = array();
+        $stages = [];
 
         for ($i = 1; $i <= $this->get_max_markers(); $i++) {
             $stages[] = new assessor($this, 'assessor_' . $i);
@@ -2258,7 +2258,7 @@ public final static function get_image($text, $image_name) {
     public function get_allocatables() {
         global $DB;
 
-        $allocatables = array();
+        $allocatables = [];
 
         if ($this->is_configured_to_have_group_submissions()) {
             if ($this->grouping_id) {
@@ -2474,7 +2474,7 @@ public function finalise_all() {
     public static function extension_reasons() {
         global $CFG;
 
-        $extension_reasons = array();
+        $extension_reasons = [];
         if (!empty($CFG->coursework_extension_reasons_list)) {
             $extension_reasons = $CFG->coursework_extension_reasons_list;
             $extension_reasons = explode("\n", $extension_reasons);
diff --git a/classes/models/group.php b/classes/models/group.php
index 2a639a6d..418d8979 100644
--- a/classes/models/group.php
+++ b/classes/models/group.php
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public function get_members($context, $cm) {
         $info = new \core_availability\info_module(\cm_info::create($cm));
         $members = $info->filter_user_list($members);
 
-        $member_objects = array();
+        $member_objects = [];
         foreach ($members as $member) {
             // check is member has capability to submit in this coursework (to get rid of assessors if they are placed in the group)
             if (has_capability('mod/coursework:submit', $context, $member)) {
diff --git a/classes/models/null_user.php b/classes/models/null_user.php
index f58a6c91..a60bc4c2 100644
--- a/classes/models/null_user.php
+++ b/classes/models/null_user.php
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ public function has_agreed_feedback($coursework) {
      * @return feedback[]
      */
     public function get_initial_feedbacks($coursework) {
-        return array();
+        return = [];
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/classes/models/outstanding_marking.php b/classes/models/outstanding_marking.php
index eeed8442..e39ae6cf 100644
--- a/classes/models/outstanding_marking.php
+++ b/classes/models/outstanding_marking.php
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public function get_to_grade_initial_count($cwkrecord, $userid) {
 
         $coursework = new \mod_coursework\models\coursework($cwkrecord);
 
-        $initialsubmissions = array();
+        $initialsubmissions = [];
 
         if ($this->should_get_to_mark_initial_grade_info($coursework->id, $userid)) {
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public function get_to_grade_agreed_count($cwkrecord, $userid) {
 
         $coursework = new \mod_coursework\models\coursework($cwkrecord);
 
-        $agreedsubmissions = array();
+        $agreedsubmissions = [];
 
             //AGREED GRADE INFORMATION
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ private function get_single_marker_initial_grade_submissions_to_mark($coursework
 
         global  $DB;
 
-        $sqlparams = array();
+        $sqlparams = [];
         $sqltable = "";
         $sqlextra = "";
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ private function get_multiple_to_mark_sampled_initial_grade_submissions($coursew
                                    GROUP BY a.allocatableid, a.csid, a.fid, a.id, a.count_feedback, a.courseworkid
                                    HAVING (count_feedback < $countsamples  )";
 
-        $sqlparams = array();
+        $sqlparams = [];
         $sqlparams['subassessorid'] = $userid;
         $sqlparams['subcourseworkid'] = $courseworkid;
         $sqlparams['courseworkid'] = $courseworkid;
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ private function get_multiple_to_mark_initial_grade_submissions($courseworkid, $
 
         global      $DB;
 
-        $sqlparams = array();
+        $sqlparams = [];
         $sqltable = '';
         $sqlextra = '';
 
diff --git a/classes/models/submission.php b/classes/models/submission.php
index de410876..11599e52 100644
--- a/classes/models/submission.php
+++ b/classes/models/submission.php
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ public function get_submission_files($reset = false) {
         }
 
         if ($this->id < 1 || $this->get_context_id() < 1) {
-            return new submission_files(array(), $this);
+            return new submission_files([], $this);
         }
 
         $submission_files = $this->get_files();
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ public function get_submission_files($reset = false) {
             return $this->submission_files;
         }
 
-        $files = new submission_files(array(), $this);
+        $files = new submission_files([], $this);
         return $files;
     }
 
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ public function get_first_feedback() {
     public function get_assessor_feedbacks() {
         if (!$this->id) {
             // No submission - empty placeholder.
-            return array();
+            return = [];
         }
 
         if (!isset(feedback::$pool[$this->courseworkid]['submissionid-stage_identifier_index'])) {
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ public function get_agreed_grade() {
 
         if (!$this->id) {
             // No submission - empty placeholder.
-            return array();
+            return = [];
         }
 
         $params = [
@@ -938,7 +938,7 @@ public function get_allocatable() {
      * @return user[]
      */
     public function get_students() {
-        $allocatables = array();
+        $allocatables = [];
         if ($this->get_coursework()->is_configured_to_have_group_submissions() && $this->allocatabletype == 'group') {
             /**
              * @var group $group
diff --git a/classes/personal_deadline/table/builder.php b/classes/personal_deadline/table/builder.php
index 8e783c2a..ec6d52e2 100644
--- a/classes/personal_deadline/table/builder.php
+++ b/classes/personal_deadline/table/builder.php
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public function __construct($coursework, array $options) {
     public function get_rows() {
         $allocatables = $this->get_coursework()->get_allocatables();
 
-        $rows = array();
+        $rows = [];
         foreach ($allocatables as $allocatable) {
             $rows[] = new row_builder($this, $allocatable);
         }
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/_user_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/_user_cell.php
index a87135ed..015e3f2e 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/_user_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/_user_cell.php
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
        $viewanonymous = has_capability('mod/coursework:viewanonymous', $this->coursework->get_context());
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_base.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_base.php
index 7fb04a8b..7b031e7e 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_base.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_base.php
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ abstract class cell_base implements cell_interface {
     /**
      * @param array $items
      */
-    public function __construct($items = array()) {
+    public function __construct($items  = []) {
         $this->coursework = $items['coursework'];
         $this->after_initialisation($items);
     }
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_interface.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_interface.php
index 234589ec..0dd5bb2d 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_interface.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/cell_interface.php
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject);
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array());
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []);
 
     /**
      * @return string
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/email_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/email_cell.php
index 34b68aab..2615fceb 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/email_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/email_cell.php
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return "Email";
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_cell.php
index 68c41318..3528de99 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_cell.php
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return "First Name";
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_letter_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_letter_cell.php
index 2403f4ad..b6145057 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_letter_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/first_name_letter_cell.php
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return "First Letter - First Name";
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/grade_for_gradebook_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/grade_for_gradebook_cell.php
index 25088b0a..d11947e2 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/grade_for_gradebook_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/grade_for_gradebook_cell.php
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($row_object) {
      * @throws coding_exception
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return get_string('provisionalgrade', 'mod_coursework');
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/group_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/group_cell.php
index c9ae602b..4a0bfd52 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/group_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/group_cell.php
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($row_object) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         //adding this line so that the sortable heading function will make a sortable link unique to the table
         // If tablename is set
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/idnumber_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/idnumber_cell.php
index 593d2d66..7043b205 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/idnumber_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/idnumber_cell.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         $viewanonymous = has_capability('mod/coursework:viewanonymous', $this->coursework->get_context());
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_cell.php
index 0b498948..d423ab55 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_cell.php
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return "Last Name";
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_letter_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_letter_cell.php
index 392d79f3..f0e59a40 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_letter_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/last_name_letter_cell.php
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return "Last Name Letter";
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_agreement_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_agreement_cell.php
index b87398e4..a7d65c7d 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_agreement_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_agreement_cell.php
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return get_string('tableheadmoderationagreement', 'coursework');
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_cell.php
index eafb4f70..43182223 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/moderation_cell.php
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($row_object) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         //adding this line so that the sortable heading function will make a sortable link unique to the table
         // If tablename is set
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/multiple_agreed_grade_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/multiple_agreed_grade_cell.php
index b5e50755..3a3d1a2f 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/multiple_agreed_grade_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/multiple_agreed_grade_cell.php
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ public function get_content($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         //adding this line so that the sortable heading function will make a sortable link unique to the table
         // If tablename is set
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/personal_deadline_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/personal_deadline_cell.php
index d56675ff..c4f42b85 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/personal_deadline_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/personal_deadline_cell.php
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($row_object) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         $tablename = (!empty($options['tablename']))  ? $options['tablename']  : ''  ;
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_cell.php
index 0a13d675..c5040102 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_cell.php
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return get_string('plagiarism', 'mod_coursework');
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_flag_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_flag_cell.php
index 33312b45..170629cf 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_flag_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/plagiarism_flag_cell.php
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return (get_string('tableheadplagiarismalert', 'coursework'));
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/single_assessor_feedback_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/single_assessor_feedback_cell.php
index 79c88627..13b0845d 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/single_assessor_feedback_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/single_assessor_feedback_cell.php
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ public function get_content($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return get_string('feedbackandgrading', 'coursework');
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/status_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/status_cell.php
index 898d6941..348ed3e2 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/status_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/status_cell.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
         return get_string('tableheadstatus', 'coursework');
     }
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/submission_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/submission_cell.php
index 7c467bbb..27589956 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/submission_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/submission_cell.php
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         $tablename = (isset($options['tablename']))  ? $options['tablename']  : ''  ;
 
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/time_submitted_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/time_submitted_cell.php
index 158559d2..0a071889 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/time_submitted_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/time_submitted_cell.php
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ private function standardize_time_for_compare($time) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
         //adding this line so that the sortable heading function will make a sortable link unique to the table
         // If tablename is set
diff --git a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/user_cell.php b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/user_cell.php
index b9b0d95b..a99ad0b5 100644
--- a/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/user_cell.php
+++ b/classes/render_helpers/grading_report/cells/user_cell.php
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public function get_table_cell($rowobject) {
      * @param array $options
      * @return string
      */
-    public function get_table_header($options = array()) {
+    public function get_table_header($options  = []) {
 
        $viewanonymous = has_capability('mod/coursework:viewanonymous', $this->coursework->get_context());
 
diff --git a/classes/router.php b/classes/router.php
index 4989ad0a..8077e876 100644
--- a/classes/router.php
+++ b/classes/router.php
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public static function instance() {
      * @throws \coding_exception
      * @return moodle_url|string url
      */
-    public function get_path($path_name, $items = array(), $as_url_object = false, $escaped = true) {
+    public function get_path($path_name, $items = [], $as_url_object = false, $escaped = true) {
 
         global $CFG;
 
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ public function get_path($path_name, $items = array(), $as_url_object = false, $
             $auto_path = '/mod/coursework/actions/' . $this->pluralise($type) . '/' . $action . '.php';
             if (file_exists($CFG->dirroot . $auto_path)) {
 
-                $params = array();
+                $params = [];
                 if (array_key_exists($type, $items)) {
                     $params[$type.'id'] = $items[$type]->id;
                 } else if (array_key_exists('coursework', $items)) {
diff --git a/classes/sample_set_rule/range_sample_type.php b/classes/sample_set_rule/range_sample_type.php
index 63e9a3ea..d841c1de 100644
--- a/classes/sample_set_rule/range_sample_type.php
+++ b/classes/sample_set_rule/range_sample_type.php
@@ -86,13 +86,13 @@ public function add_form_elements($assessor_number=0) {
 
     public function range_elements($assessor_number, $sequence, $dbrecord=false) {
 
-        $percentage_options = array();
+        $percentage_options = [];
 
         for ($i = 0;$i < 110; $i = $i + 10) {
             $percentage_options[$i] = "{$i}";
         }
 
-        $scale = array();
+        $scale = [];
 
         if     ($this->coursework->grade > 0) {
             for ($i = 0;$i <=  $this->coursework->grade; $i++) {
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ function change_options(element) {
                     $(samplefromid).find('option').remove();
                     $(sampletoid).find('option').remove();
 
-                    var selectValues = Array();
+                    var selectValues = [];
 
                     var type = PERCENT;
 
@@ -399,7 +399,7 @@ private function rationalise($ruletype, $limit1, $limit2) {
 
         global  $DB;
 
-        $limits = array();
+        $limits = [];
 
             $limits[0] = ($limit1>$limit2) ? $limit2 : $limit1;
             $limits[1] = ($limit1>$limit2) ? $limit1 : $limit2;
diff --git a/classes/sample_set_rule/total_sample_type.php b/classes/sample_set_rule/total_sample_type.php
index 726acf8c..aee8e44f 100644
--- a/classes/sample_set_rule/total_sample_type.php
+++ b/classes/sample_set_rule/total_sample_type.php
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public function add_form_elements($assessor_number=0) {
         $selected = ($record = $DB->get_record_sql($sql))  ?   array($record->upperlimit => $record->upperlimit) : false;
         $checked = ($selected) ?   true : false;
 
-        $percentage_options = array();
+        $percentage_options = [];
 
         for ($i = 5;$i <= 100; $i = $i + 5) {
             $percentage_options[$i] = "{$i}";
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ public function adjust_sample_set($stage_number, &$allocatables, &$manual_sample
                 }
 
             } else {
-                $auto_sample_set = array();
+                $auto_sample_set = [];
             }
 
         }
diff --git a/classes/sampling_set_widget.php b/classes/sampling_set_widget.php
index a31c2947..f1d7bbc2 100644
--- a/classes/sampling_set_widget.php
+++ b/classes/sampling_set_widget.php
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public function get_potential_rules() {
 
         $classes = $this->get_potential_rule_class_names();
 
-        $suffixes = array();
+        $suffixes = [];
         foreach ($classes as $shortname => $classname) {
 
             $label = get_string($shortname, 'mod_coursework');
@@ -114,10 +114,10 @@ public function get_potential_rule_class_names() {
         $dirname = $CFG->dirroot.'/mod/coursework/classes/sample_set_rule/*.php';
         $files = glob($dirname);
 
-        $classes = array();
+        $classes = [];
         foreach ($files as $file) {
 
-            $matches = array(); // In case we have stuff left over.
+            $matches = []; // In case we have stuff left over.
             preg_match('/([^\/]+)\.php/', $file, $matches);
             /* @var models\moderation_set_rule $fullclassname */
             $rulename = $matches[1];
diff --git a/classes/stages/base.php b/classes/stages/base.php
index 1ca1a8aa..1a701e6c 100644
--- a/classes/stages/base.php
+++ b/classes/stages/base.php
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ public function get_teachers() {
         // So check again
         if (empty($serialised_teachers) || empty(unserialize($serialised_teachers))) {
             $teachers = get_enrolled_users($this->coursework->get_context(), $this->assessor_capability());
-            $teacher_users = array();
+            $teacher_users = [];
             foreach ($teachers as $teacher) {
                 $teacher_users[] = user::build($teacher);
             }
@@ -832,7 +832,7 @@ public function potential_moderator_dropdown($allocatable) {
      */
     private function potential_markers_as_options_array() {
         $potentialmarkers = $this->get_teachers();
-        $options = array();
+        $options = [];
         foreach ($potentialmarkers as $marker) {
             $options[$marker->id] = $marker->name();
         }
@@ -845,7 +845,7 @@ private function potential_markers_as_options_array() {
      */
     private function potential_moderators_as_options_array() {
         $potentialmoderators = get_enrolled_users($this->coursework->get_course_context(), 'mod/coursework:moderate');
-        $options = array();
+        $options = [];
         foreach ($potentialmoderators as $moderator) {
             $options[$moderator->id] = fullname($moderator);
         }
diff --git a/db/upgrade.php b/db/upgrade.php
index e98d9915..9f7f3b84 100644
--- a/db/upgrade.php
+++ b/db/upgrade.php
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
         // Alter the comments and write them to the DB.
         foreach ($olddata as $datarow) {
             $oldcomment = unserialize($datarow->feedbackcomment);
-            $newcomment = array();
+            $newcomment = [];
             if ($oldcomment) { // Some were blank - probably an earlier experiment.
                 foreach ($oldcomment as $componentarray) {
                     $newcomment[] = $componentarray['id'];
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
         // Will have to subtract component values from the string one at a time, recording their
         // ids if we find the value.
         foreach ($olddata as $datarow) {
-            $newcomment = array();
+            $newcomment = [];
             $oldcomment = $datarow->feedbackcomment; // Comma separated, with lots of extra commas.
             $components = $DB->get_records('coursework_form_component',
                                            array('fieldid' => $datarow->fieldid));
@@ -2043,7 +2043,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
                              'coursework_sample_set_mbrs');
 
     if ($oldversion < 2015110303) {
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         //Add fields to assist backup annotation
         $fielduser = new xmldb_field('allocatableuser', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '10', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', 'allocatabletype');
         $fieldgroup = new xmldb_field('allocatablegroup', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '10', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', 'allocatableuser');
@@ -2066,7 +2066,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
     }
 
     if ($oldversion < 2015121401) {
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         //Add fields to assist backup annotation
         $fieldeditingtime = new xmldb_field('gradeeditingtime', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '10', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', null);
 
@@ -2096,7 +2096,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
     }
 
     if ($oldversion < 2016110100) {
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         //Add fields to hold marking deadline enabled
         $upgradefield = new xmldb_field('markingdeadlineenabled', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '1', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', null);
 
@@ -2112,7 +2112,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
     }
 
     if ($oldversion < 2016110101) {
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         //Add fields to hold intial marking deadline
         $upgradefield = new xmldb_field('initialmarkingdeadline', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '10', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', null);
 
@@ -2139,7 +2139,7 @@ function xmldb_coursework_upgrade($oldversion) {
     }
 
     if ($oldversion < 2016110102) {
-        $fields = array();
+        $fields = [];
         //Add fields to hold intial marking deadline
         $upgradefield = new xmldb_field('markingreminderenabled', XMLDB_TYPE_INTEGER, '1', true, XMLDB_NOTNULL, null, '0', null);
 
diff --git a/lib.php b/lib.php
index 693c2907..61a948c6 100644
--- a/lib.php
+++ b/lib.php
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
  * @return array
  */
 function coursework_get_file_areas($course, $cm, $context) {
-    $areas = array();
+    $areas = [];
 
     if (has_capability('mod/coursework:submit', $context)) {
         $areas['submission'] = get_string('submissionfiles', 'coursework');
@@ -949,7 +949,7 @@ function coursework_get_coursework_ids_from_context_id($contextid) {
 
     global $DB;
 
-    $courseworkids = array();
+    $courseworkids = [];
 
     // Is this a coursework?
     $context = context::instance_by_id($contextid);
@@ -999,7 +999,7 @@ function coursework_seconds_to_string($seconds) {
                    get_string('seconds', 'mod_coursework'))
     );
 
-    $result = array();
+    $result = [];
     foreach ($units as $divisor => $unitame) {
         $units = intval($seconds / $divisor);
         if ($units) {
@@ -1112,7 +1112,7 @@ function coursework_send_deadline_changed_emails($eventdata) {
         // - Link to get to the view.php page.
         // - Change since last time.
 
-        $deadlinechangedmessage = array();
+        $deadlinechangedmessage = [];
 
         $strings = new stdClass();
         $strings->courseworkname = $coursework->name;
@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ function coursework_plugin_exists($plugintype, $pluginname) {
  */
 function coursework_records_to_menu($records, $field1, $field2) {
 
-    $menu = array();
+    $menu = [];
 
     if (!empty($records)) {
         foreach ($records as $record) {
diff --git a/mod_form.php b/mod_form.php
index 8e184b0d..1cd06c71 100644
--- a/mod_form.php
+++ b/mod_form.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public function definition() {
                 'ajax'
             ));
 
-        $PAGE->requires->js_init_call('M.mod_coursework.init', array(), true, $module);
+        $PAGE->requires->js_init_call('M.mod_coursework.init', [], true, $module);
 
         $this->set_form_attributes();
 
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ public function set_data($default_values) {
      */
     public function validation($data, $files) {
 
-        $errors = array();
+        $errors = [];
 
        if ($data['startdate'] != 0 && !empty($data['deadline']) && $data['startdate'] > $data['deadline']) {
            $errors['startdate'] = get_string('must_be_before_dealdine', 'mod_coursework');
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ protected function add_personal_deadline_field() {
         $options = array(0 => get_string('no'), 1 => get_string('yes'));
 
         $courseworkid = $this->get_coursework_id();
-        $disabled = array();
+        $disabled = [];
         if (coursework_personal_deadline_passed($courseworkid)) {
             $moodle_form->disabledif('personaldeadlineenabled', 'deadline[enabled]', 'notchecked');
             $disabled = array('disabled' => true);
@@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ protected function add_grouping_field() {
         $moodle_form =& $this->_form;
 
         $groups_options_result = $DB->get_records('groupings', array('courseid' => $COURSE->id), 'name', 'id, name');
-        $groups_options = array();
+        $groups_options = [];
         if ($groups_options_result !== false) {
             foreach ($groups_options_result as $result) {
                 $groups_options[$result->id] = $result->name;
@@ -892,7 +892,7 @@ protected function add_assessor_allocation_strategy_field_rdb() {
 
         $options = mod_coursework\allocation\manager::get_allocation_classnames();
 
-        $radioarray = array();
+        $radioarray = [];
         $keys = array_keys($options);
 
         foreach ($keys as $key) {
@@ -1277,7 +1277,7 @@ private function add_submission_notification_field() {
 
         $moodle_form =& $this->_form;
 
-        $selectableusers = array();
+        $selectableusers = [];
 
         // capability for user allowed to receive submission notifications
         $enrolledusers = get_enrolled_users(context_course::instance($COURSE->id), 'mod/coursework:receivesubmissionnotifications');
diff --git a/renderers/grading_report_renderer.php b/renderers/grading_report_renderer.php
index bc731ec0..517b3f43 100644
--- a/renderers/grading_report_renderer.php
+++ b/renderers/grading_report_renderer.php
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ protected function make_table_headers($cell_helpers, $options, $is_multiple_mark
     /**
      * @return string
      */
-    protected function start_table($options = array()) {
+    protected function start_table($options  = []) {
         $options['width'] = '100%';
         $options['class'] = (!empty($options['class'])) ? $options['class'] : '';
         $options['class'] .= ' submissions datatabletest display compact';
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ private function make_upper_headers($cell_helpers, $is_multiple_markers) {
      * @return mixed
      */
     private function upper_header_names_and_colspans($cell_helpers) {
-        $headers = array();
+        $headers = [];
 
         foreach ($cell_helpers as $helper) {
             if (!array_key_exists($helper->header_group(), $headers)) {
diff --git a/renderers/object_renderer.php b/renderers/object_renderer.php
index 80e6cf04..b74a2592 100644
--- a/renderers/object_renderer.php
+++ b/renderers/object_renderer.php
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ protected function render_mod_coursework_assessor_feedback_row(mod_coursework_as
     public function render_submission_files(mod_coursework_submission_files $files) {
 
         $submission_files = $files->get_files();
-        $files_array = array();
+        $files_array = [];
 
         foreach ($submission_files as $file) {
             $files_array[] = $this->make_file_link($files, $file);
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ public function render_submission_files(mod_coursework_submission_files $files)
 
     public function render_feedback_files(mod_coursework_feedback_files $files) {
 
-        $files_array = array();
+        $files_array = [];
         $submission_files = $files->get_files();
         foreach ($submission_files as $file) {
             $files_array[] = $this->make_file_link($files, $file, 'feedbackfile');
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ public function render_submission_files_with_plagiarism_links(mod_coursework_sub
         $coursework = $files->get_coursework();
         $submission_files = $files->get_files();
         $submission = $files->get_submission();
-        $files_array = array();
+        $files_array = [];
 
         foreach ($submission_files as $file) {
 
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ public function render_plagiarism_links($files) {
         $coursework = $files->get_coursework();
         $submission_files = $files->get_files();
         $submission = $files->get_submission();
-        $files_array = array();
+        $files_array = [];
 
         foreach ($submission_files as $file) {
 
@@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ public function render_mod_coursework_sampling_set_widget(mod_coursework_samplin
         $html .= html_writer::start_tag('div', array('class' => 'sampling-select'));
 
         $script = "
-            var samplingValidateHdl = Array();
+            var samplingValidateHdl = [];
         ";
 
         $html  .= html_writer::script($script);
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ public function render_mod_coursework_sampling_set_widget(mod_coursework_samplin
         $table->attributes['class'] = 'sampling';
         $table->head = array('');
 
-        $assessorheaders = array();
+        $assessorheaders = [];
 
         for ($i = 0; $i < $samplingwidget->get_coursework()->get_max_markers(); $i++) {
             $assessorheaders[] = get_string('assessorheading', 'mod_coursework', $i+1);
@@ -812,7 +812,7 @@ public function render_mod_coursework_sampling_set_widget(mod_coursework_samplin
 
         $columndata = array(new html_table_cell($assessor1cell));
 
-        $percentage_options = array();
+        $percentage_options = [];
 
         for ($i = 0;$i < 110; $i = $i + 10) {
             $percentage_options[$i] = "{$i}%";
@@ -881,7 +881,7 @@ public function render_mod_coursework_sampling_set_widget(mod_coursework_samplin
 
             $('#save_manual_sampling').on('click', function (e) {
 
-                validationresults = Array();
+                validationresults = [];
 
                 $.each(samplingValidateHdl, function(i,functionname) {
                      validationresults.push(eval(functionname+'()'));
@@ -905,14 +905,14 @@ public function render_mod_coursework_sampling_set_widget(mod_coursework_samplin
 
     private function sampling_strategy_column($samplingwidget, $suffix = '') {
 
-        $percentage_options = array();
+        $percentage_options = [];
 
         for ($i = 0;$i < 110; $i = $i + 10) {
             $percentage_options[$i] = "{$i}%";
         }
 
         // Hidden input containing scale values
-        $scale = array();
+        $scale = [];
         $sampling_column = "<input id='scale_values' type='hidden' value='".implode(',', $scale)."' />";
 
         $sampling_column    .=  html_writer::tag('br', '');
@@ -1141,7 +1141,7 @@ protected function resubmit_to_plagiarism_button($coursework, $submission) {
                                                   array('type' => 'hidden',
                                                         'name' => 'id',
                                                         'value' => $coursework->get_coursemodule_id()));
-        $plagiarism_plugin_names = array();
+        $plagiarism_plugin_names = [];
         foreach ($coursework->get_plagiarism_helpers() as $helper) {
             $plagiarism_plugin_names[] = $helper->human_readable_name();
         }
@@ -1382,7 +1382,7 @@ protected function render_mod_coursework_personal_deadlines_table(mod_coursework
             $table_html .= '<div class="largelink">' . html_writer::link('#', get_string('unfinaliseselected', 'mod_coursework', $personal_deadlines_table->get_coursework()->get_allocatable_type()), array('id' => 'selected_unfinalise')) . '</div>';
         }
         $table_html .=  '<br />';
-        $url = $this->get_router()->get_path('edit personal deadline', array());
+        $url = $this->get_router()->get_path('edit personal deadline', []);
 
         $table_html .=   '<form  action="'.$url.'" id="coursework_personal_deadline_form" method="post">';
 
@@ -1776,7 +1776,7 @@ public function get_submissions_with_final_grade($submissions) {
     public function get_submissions_for_assessor($coursework, $submissions) {
         global $USER;
 
-        $gradeblesub = array();
+        $gradeblesub = [];
 
         if (!$coursework->has_multiple_markers() && has_capability('mod/coursework:addagreedgrade', $coursework->get_context()) &&
             !has_capability('mod/coursework:addinitialgrade', $coursework->get_context()) ) {
diff --git a/renderers/page_renderer.php b/renderers/page_renderer.php
index 7f279440..78550988 100644
--- a/renderers/page_renderer.php
+++ b/renderers/page_renderer.php
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ public function teacher_grading_page($coursework, $page, $perpage, $sortby, $sor
         $html = '';
 
         // Grading report display options.
-        $report_options = array();
+        $report_options = [];
         $report_options['page'] = $page;
         $report_options['group'] = $group;
         $report_options['perpage'] = $perpage;
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ public function teacher_grading_page($coursework, $page, $perpage, $sortby, $sor
 
         $pageurl = $PAGE->url;
         $params = $PAGE->url->params();
-        $links = array();
+        $links = [];
 
         // display 'Group mode' with the relevant groups
         $currenturl = new moodle_url('/mod/coursework/view.php', array('id' => $coursework->get_course_module()->id));
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ public function non_teacher_allocated_grading_page($coursework, $viewallstudents
 
         if (has_capability('mod/coursework:viewallstudents', $PAGE->context)) {
 
-            $report_options = array();
+            $report_options = [];
             $report_options['page'] = $viewallstudents_page;
             $report_options['group'] = $group;
             $report_options['perpage'] = $viewallstudents_perpage;
diff --git a/settings.php b/settings.php
index 66e68c2e..b6ec8765 100644
--- a/settings.php
+++ b/settings.php
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
     $settings->add(new admin_setting_configselect('coursework_assessoranonymity', $assessor_anonymity_name, $assessor_anonymity_description, 0, $options));
 
     // Set site-wide options for when feedback is due.
-    $weeks = array();
+    $weeks = [];
     for ($i = 1; $i <= 10; $i++) {
         $weeks[$i] = $i;
     }
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
     $options = array( 0 => get_string('no'), 1 => get_string('yes'));
     $settings->add(new admin_setting_configselect('coursework_feedbackreleaseemail', $feedbackreleaseemail_name, $feedbackreleaseemail_description, 1, $options));
 
-    $day_reminder = array();
+    $day_reminder = [];
     for ($i = 2; $i <= 7; $i++) {
         $day_reminder[$i] = $i;
     }
diff --git a/tests/classes/allocation/form/table_processor_test.php b/tests/classes/allocation/form/table_processor_test.php
index 831332e7..78a76fa9 100644
--- a/tests/classes/allocation/form/table_processor_test.php
+++ b/tests/classes/allocation/form/table_processor_test.php
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public function test_process_rows_alters_an_existing_allocation() {
 
     public function test_that_missing_columns_dont_mess_it_up() {
         $processor = new processor($this->coursework);
-        $processor->process_data(array($this->student->id => array()));
+        $processor->process_data(array($this->student->id => []));
     }
 
     public function test_that_missing_rows_dont_mess_it_up() {
diff --git a/tests/classes/auto_grader/percentage_distance_test.php b/tests/classes/auto_grader/percentage_distance_test.php
index bad3e472..a73a5567 100644
--- a/tests/classes/auto_grader/percentage_distance_test.php
+++ b/tests/classes/auto_grader/percentage_distance_test.php
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ public function test_that_a_new_record_is_not_created_when_all_initial_feedbacks
 
         $object->create_auto_grade_if_rules_match($user);
 
-        $created_feedback = $DB->get_record('coursework_feedbacks', array());
+        $created_feedback = $DB->get_record('coursework_feedbacks', []);
 
         $this->assertEquals($created_feedback->grade, 55); // Right grade
         $this->assertEquals($created_feedback->submissionid, 234234); // Right submission
diff --git a/tests/classes/controllers/deadline_extensions_controller_test.php b/tests/classes/controllers/deadline_extensions_controller_test.php
index 239f5891..01737e1b 100644
--- a/tests/classes/controllers/deadline_extensions_controller_test.php
+++ b/tests/classes/controllers/deadline_extensions_controller_test.php
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 class deadline_extensions_controller_test extends basic_testcase {
 
     public function test_model_name() {
-        $controller = new \mod_coursework\controllers\deadline_extensions_controller(array());
+        $controller = new \mod_coursework\controllers\deadline_extensions_controller([]);
         $this->assertEquals('deadline_extension', $controller->model_name());
     }
 
diff --git a/view.php b/view.php
index 1f78e0e6..8e5adb5c 100644
--- a/view.php
+++ b/view.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
     'fullpath' => '/mod/coursework/module.js',
     'requires' => array('base',
                         'node-base'),
-    'strings' => array()
+    'strings' => []
 );
 
 $PAGE->requires->yui_module('moodle-core-notification', 'notification_init');