Modules and Topics

Modules and Topics are the building blocks that enable instructors to organize course content in eLC. Modules are like folders, used to organize course information. Topics are the files and links to websites or eLC activities that are organized within the Modules and Sub-Modules.

You must have at least one Module in your course before you can begin adding Topics.

Learn about:

 

Creating Modules

Modules help to organize content within your course. For example, you might create a module for each week of a course, or for each unit.

 

  1. From the course navbar, click Content.
  2. Click "+ New Module"
  3. Give the module a title [A].
  4. Set a Due Date (not recommended) [B].
  5. Use the editor to provide a module Description [C].
  6. Set a Start Date [D].
  7. Set an End Date [E].
  8. (Optional) Add Release Conditions for the module [F].
  9. Click Save and Close to create the module.
    A screenshot of the module creation window. The title is labeled A. The Due date is labeled B. The description is labeled C. The Start Date is labeled D. The End Date is labeled E. The Release Condition is labeled F.

 

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Creating Sub-Modules

Sub-modules help to organize content within the same module. For example, you might use sub-modules to organize "readings" or "assignments" within a specific module.

 

  1. Click the name of the module to which you want to add a sub-module.
  2. Click Create New.
  3. Choose New Sub-module.
  4. Give the module a title [A].
  5. Set a Due Date (not recommended) [B].
  6. Use the editor to provide a module Description [C].
  7. Set a Start Date [D].
  8. Set an End Date [E].
  9. (Optional) Add Release Conditions for the module [F].
  10. Click Save and Close to create the module.
    A screenshot of the module creation window. The title is labeled A. The Due date is labeled B. The description is labeled C. The Start Date is labeled D. The End Date is labeled E. The Release Condition is labeled F.

 

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Visibility Settings

Modules and sub-modules can be hidden from students while you are developing them, then made visible to students once you are ready for them to have access to them. Instructors and TAs will always be able to see a module, even if it is hidden from students.

 

To change a module or sub-module's visibility settings:

  1. Click the module or sub-module you want to modify.
  2. Click the Visible toggle switch.
    A screenshot of the module visibility toggle switch. The switch is blue with a checkmark and indicates with text that the module is visible. 
  3. The switch will tell you if the module or sub-module is Visible or Hidden.
  4. To verify, notice that hidden modules or sub-modules will display an icon to show that the item is hidden from students.
    A screenshot of the module title icon, showing the hidden eye icon.

 

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Uploading Files

The following tutorial outlines the steps necessary to add a topic within a module and add a file within that topic. However, if you would like to upload files in bulk, refer to the tutorial below. 

Note: Some file types show in preview mode including .pdf, . doc, .txt, and .ppt. Other file types, such as .xls and .spss, must be downloaded and viewed by students in the appropriate application.

  1. Click on the module or sub-module to which you would like to add a file.
  2. Click Add Existing.
  3. Drag and drop files into the window, or click browse.
    A screenshot of the file insert area.  
  4. (Optional) You can also add files directly from Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive.
    A screenshot of the Google Drive and OneDrive buttons.
  5. A topic with the file will be automatically added to the module or sub-module you originally chose.

 

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Creating Files/Pages

You can use eLC to create new files/pages in your eLC course. These are great ways to add lots of text content to your course in an accessible format that will be visible for students regardless of how they open and use eLC. For more information about accessibility, view our page on Creating Mobile-Ready Content.

Note: The HTML editor offers a  Check Accessibility option. This promotes HTML content as the best content to author within the eLC system to meet the needs to every learner. HTML content lets you ensure maximum interoperability with the learning aids that your students might be using (a screen reader, a color contrast plug-in, and so on).

To create a new file/page:

  1. Click on the module or sub-module to which you would like to add the file/page.
  2. Click Create New.
  3. Choose File/Page.
  4. Give the file/page a title [A].
  5. Set a Due Date (not recommended) [B].
  6. Use the editor to input all of your Page Content [C].
  7. Set a Start Date [D].
  8. Set an End Date [E].
  9. (Optional) Add Release Conditions for the module [F].
  10. Click Save and Close to create the module.
    A screenshot of the HTML page/file editor. The title is labeled A. The due date is labeled B. The page content editor is labeled C. The Start Date is labeled D. The End Date is labeled E. The release condition is labeled F.

 

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Adding Activities

You can add activities to your course content area like Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, and Checklists. This allows you to organize activities into appropriate modules or sub-modules, making it easier for students to find and complete.

 

  1. Click on the module or sub-module to which you want to add the activity.
  2. Click Add Existing to add activities you have already created. You can also select Create New if you want to directly create a new activity and add it to your content area.
  3. Choose the activity type you want to add or create: Assignment, Discussion, Quiz, or Checklist.
    A screenshot of the avitivites add options. The choices are assignment, discussion, quiz, and checklist. 
  4. Once an activity has been added to the content area, you can edit it directly by clicking Edit Activity. From here, you can modify the activity's restrictions and settings.
    A screenshot of the edit activity button

 

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Editing, Reordering, and Deleting Content

Instructors and TAs can edit modules and sub-modules. You can change the titles; descriptions; start, due, and end dates; and more. You can also reorder the materials or completely delete them.

  1. Click the module, sub-module, file/page, or activity you want to modify.
  2. Click the three dots menu [A] in the top right corner.
    • Edit [B] will allow you to change the title, description, the associated dates, and the release conditions.
    • Reorder [C] will allow you to change the order. You can also click and drag to reorder modules and submodules.
    • Delete [D] will allow you to delete the entire module, submodule and any content within. When deleting, you can choose to remove the materials from the content area or to completely delete them from your course.
      A screenshot of the edit menu. The three dots menu button is labeled A. Edit is labeled B. Reorder is labeled C. Delete is labeled D.

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Bulk Uploading Files

If you would like to bulk upload files in the form of a zip file or multiple files to the content of your course, the Manage Files tool is a system that can assist in this process. The Manage Files tool is a file management system for your course that can be used to organize and upload files associated with your course offering. 

 

  1. Select Course Admin from the course navbar.
  2. Click Manage Files.
  3. Click Upload.
    Click Upload 
  4. Drag and drop desired files into the Upload area or click Upload. After clicking Upload, locate the files in your computer, and click Open. After either dragging and dropping or clicking upload, click Save to upload the file(s).
    Drag and drop or click Upload.
  5. To unzip uploaded zip files, click the dropdown menu of the content item, and select Unzip.
    Click the dropdown menu. Select Unzip. 
  6. Now the files can be added to a module or sub-module. Click on the module or sub-module to which you want to add the files.
  7. Click Add Existing.
  8. Click More.
  9. Click Course File.
  10. Select the file you would like uploaded, and click Add.
    Select the file. Click Add.
  11. The file(s) should now be present within the desired topic.

 

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Last Updated: 12/03/2024