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.
- Creating and Customizing Modules
- Adding Module Description
- Adding Topics: Uploading Files
- Adding Topics: Creating Files
- Adding Topic Description
- Adding Topics: Activities
- Reordering Content
- Bulk Uploading Files
Creating and Customizing Modules
The following tutorial outlines the steps necessary to create modules and sub-modules, add a descriptions, mark a module as published or draft, and add dates and restrictions in preparation for adding content.
1. Navigate to the desired course, and access the Content tool by selecting Content from the course navbar or clicking Click to Access Course Content.
2. Enter the module's name in the Add a Module field located at the bottom of the table of contents, then hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. If you wish to release the module during a specific date range, add a due date to the module, or specify release conditions, click on Add Dates and Restrictions.
4. Follow these instructions for configuring activities:
- To schedule a Date Range, click Add Start Date/Time, End Date/Time, or Due Date/Time and add dates as appropriate (these dates will be added to your course calendar automatically).
- To specify Release Conditions, click Browse to select from existing course restrictions or click the Create button to create a release criteria for your course on the fly.
- Click the Update button after making your selections.
5. To hide the module from students, click the Visibility button so the eye has the slash through it.
6. To add a module description, click on Add a description, type your description in the input window, and click the Update button.
7. Sub-modules can be added to modules if desired by typing a name in the Add sub-module field and pressing the Enter key on your keyboard.
Adding Module Description
Instructors can add descriptions to modules, sub-modules and topics to provide clarity and additional information to students.
1. Navigate to the module or sub-module you want to add a description to, and click “Add a description…”:
2. Enter your description text in the HTML editor. You may also include multimedia content, images, and quicklinks. Click “Update”:
Adding Topics: 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. First, navigate to the desired course, and access the Content tool by selecting Content from the course navbar or clicking Click to Access Course Content.
2. To add files to your Content area, you must first create at least one Module (See above on Creating and Customizing Modules). If you already have a module, click on it to make it the active module.
3. Drag and drop files from your computer to the module files area.
4. To change the order of the items, point to the three lines to the left of an item, then drag and drop to the preferred location.
5. To change item names, click Bulk Edit at the top.
6. Click an item name to change it. Click Done editing when finished.
Adding Topics: Creating Files
The following tutorial outlines the steps necessary to add a topic within a module and create HTML content within that topic.
Note: The HTML editor now has the capability to Check Accessibility. 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, etc.).
1. First, navigate to the desired course, and access the Content tool by selecting Content from the course navbar or clicking Click to Access Course Content.
2. To add files to your Content area, you must first create at least one Module (See above on Creating and Customizing Modules). If you already have a module, click on it to make it the active module.
3. Next, click Upload/Create. Select Create a File.
4. Give the file a Title. You can then insert the text.
You also have the ability to use the Insert Stuff, Image, and Quick Link buttons on the toolbar.
5. In addition to the Check Spelling, HTML Source Editor, Preview, and Toggle Fullscreen options, eLC now has the capability to Check Accessibility. To check the accessibility of file, click the Check Accessibility icon, an eye with a checkmark. Possible errors this tool may find are images that don't have any alt text or visible contrast error. For many of the remediations, you can resolve it right in place.
6. When you have completed creating the file, click Save and Close.
7. The file is now present within the Content Module.
Adding Topic Description
Navigate to the topic in which you want to add a description
1. Select the dropdown next to the Topic and select Edit Properties In-place.
2. Select Add description.
3. Type your description in the input window, and click Update.
Adding Topics: Activities
The following tutorial outlines the steps necessary to add a topic within a module and add an activity, such as a discussion, quiz, assignment, or survey, within that topic.
1. First, navigate to the desired course, and access the Content tool by selecting Content from the course navbar or clicking Click to Access Course Content.
2. To add activities to your Content area, you must first create at least one Module (See above on Creating and Customizing Modules). If you already have a module, click on it to make it the active module.
3. Next, to add a new activity, click Upload/Create. To add an existing activity click Existing Activity.
4. If Upload/Create is selected, you can select one of the following activities to create: Checklist, Discussion, Assignment, Quiz, or Survey.
5. After selecting an activity, you will be redirected to the creation page of the selected activity. For this tutorial, Discussion has been selected. Give the activity a Name, choose or create a Forum, and provide Instructions. When you have completed creating the activity, click Publish.
6. Instructors have the ability to change the Activity Details by adding dates and restrictions and altering various options such and users' posting abilities and required approvals. Additionally, you can add Learning Objectives and view a Completion Summary.
7. The discussion is now present within the Content Module.
8. When adding an Existing Activity, you can select one of the following activities: Assignments, Chat, Checklist, Discussions, External Learning Tools, My Media, Online Rooms, Quizzes, Self Assessments, and Surveys. For this tutorial, Discussion has been selected.
9. Choose an existing Discussion Forum.
10. Then, select the Discussion Topic.
11. The discussion is now present within the Content Module.
Reordering Content
As an instructor, you have the ability to reorder the modules and topics featured within the Content tool.
1. To move a module or topic, hover your mouse over the three lines present beside the title of the content in question. A vector icon will appear.
2. Then, drag and drop the content within the current module or to a different module, listed on the left, under Table of Content.
3. Aftering moving, the content can now be seen in its new location.
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. To begin the process of uploading a file or multiple files to the Manage Files tools, first, select Course Admin from the course navbar.
2. Under Site Resources, click Manage Files.
3. 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).
5. To unzip uploaded zip files, click the dropdown menu of the content item, and select Unzip.
6. These files can then be added to content within a previously created topic by, first, clicking Upload/Create, and select Upload Files.
7. Then, click Course Offering Files.
8. Select the file you would like uploaded, and click Add.
9. The file should now be present within the desired topic.