There are a number of ways to control content availability within a module. When editing the module settings the options presented are:
| Control Option | Description |
| Option 1: Lock module until a given date | Locks all items within the module until a given date. |
| Option 2: This module is complete when | Sets requirements on individual items within the module |
| Option 3: Before students can view this module | Sets module availability based on the completion of other modules |
| Option 4: Students must move through requirements in this module in sequential order | Requires students to view content or complete tasks in order within a module. |
The options above can, and in some cases must, be used in combination with each other. Examples of how the controls can be combined are as follows:
| Example 1: Involves One Module Requiring students to move sequentially through the module only works if the “This module is complete when” option is selected and requirements are set on the items within the module. | Example 2: Involves Two Modules Setting the “Before students can view this module” option requires that previous modules have the “This module is complete when” option selected and requirements on items within the module be set. |
The following instructions will outline how each of the module availability options is set and the ramifications of those settings.
Option 1: Lock Module Until a Given Date
This is a very simple control option. When a module is locked all of the content linked within the module is unavailable the students. It is only when the module is unlocked that the pages, links, quizzes, assignments, etc become available either all at once or in sequence depending on additional module settings.
To lock a module until a given date:
- Click Modules in the course menu.
- Select the cog icon to the right of the module you wish to edit.
- From the resulting menu, select Edit.
- In the Edit Module Settings window, select the checkbox lock module until a given date.
- Select an Unlock At date.
- Note: Modules do not have an option to release by Section.
- Click [Update Module] to finalize the module settings.
Option 2: This Module is Complete When
This option allows instructors to place requirements for completion on the content within the module.
The requirement options on content within a module include users must:
- View the item (can be applied to all items)
- Contribute to the page (can be applied to Pages and Discussions)
- Submit the assignment (can be applied to Assignments and Quizzes)
- Score at least (can be applied to Assignments and Quizzes)
Requirements can be placed on all or some of the content; however, if the option to require students to move sequentially through the module is selected requirements must be placed on all of the items within the module.
To set the module completion option:
- Click Modules in the course menu.
- Select the cog icon next to the module you wish to edit.
- From the resulting menu, select Edit.
- In the Edit Module Settings window, click Add requirement under the
This module is complete when prompt. - Select a content item from the For menu.
- Select an option from the User Must menu.
Note: The available options will vary depending on the content item type. - Repeat 4 – 6 until all of the requirements have been added.
- If appropriate, select the checkbox for students must move through requirements in this module in sequential order.
- Click [Update Module] to finalize the module settings.
Discussion by Section Workaround:
To control the availability of Discussions to different sections, set a score at least or submit the assignment requirement on a quiz or assignment item that has different due dates set by section.
Option 3: Before Students Can View This Module
This option can override Option 1: Lock module until a given date option as it is driven by the completion of earlier modules not by date.
Example: If a module is set to be available on November 18, but a student has not yet completed the requirements for the previous module by November 18, that student will be unable to proceed to the new module until they have completed the previous module.
To set the Before Students Can View This Module option:
- Click Modules in the course menu.
- Select the cog icon next to the module students must first complete.
- From the resulting menu, select Edit.
- Complete the This Module is Complete when steps for the required module.
- Once the completion settings on the previous module are set,
repeat 2 – 3 for the module you wish to set the prerequisite. - In the Edit Module Settings window, click Add Prerequisite under the Before students can view this module prompt.
- From the They must complete menu, select a module that must be completed.
- Repeat 6-7 as necessary.
- If the module should be locked until a given date, click that checkbox.
- If completion of this module will be required for future module release, complete the This Module is Complete when section.
- If this module should be completed sequentially, click that checkbox.
- Click [Update Module] to apply the settings.