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Learning Modules & Folders

Summary

Learning Modules and Folders are containers for organising course content.

Relevant VLE site design principles

  • 3.1 Essential: Organise module materials in sections that support student progress through the module.
  • 3.4 Essential: Site and materials content is accessible.

Overview: content container types

Learning Modules and Folders are containers to organise site content.

They function largely the same for staff, but students navigate the content items within the two container types differently. This means that there are some situations where either a Learning Module or a Folder may be more suitable.

Learning Modules make it easy for students to move between items, so are most appropriate for providing module materials.

Decorative

  • Used throughout the Ultra template structure
  • Can contain sub-folders (nested folders function like Learning Modules)
  • Default Learning Module icon, can change to a personalised image
  • Students can access items in any order, or you can use Forced sequence to make them work through items in order
  • Students can navigate between items without closing them (but staff can’t)

Use previous/next options to navigate between items in a Learning Module

Folders are best used for reference items where students are likely to need only a specific item.

Decorative

  • Generally not included in the Ultra template structure, but you can add Folders to your site if needed
  • Can contain sub-folders (nested folders function like Folders)
  • Default Folder icon, can't be personalised
  • Students can always access items in any order
  • Students must close an item before selecting another

Click 'X' icon to close a folder item

Create a Learning Module or Folder

Tip

Module site templates have pre-built containers for your site materials, so you're unlikely to need to create containers yourself.

Where the same applies for both Learning Modules and Folders, we'll use "container" for simplicity.

Containers can be created within the Course Content area. Folders can also be created inside another container for supporting multi-level structures. A Folder within a Folder navigates like a Folder, but a Folder within a Learning Module navigates like a Learning Module. Learning Modules cannot be directly created inside another container.

  1. Hover where the container should appear. Click the plus icon then Create.
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  2. Under Course Content Items, select Learning Module or Document.
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  3. Enter a descriptive title for the container (eg. Week 3: equipment & safety).
  4. Set the item visibility (you an also set this later).
  5. Add a brief description that will display in the Course Content area.
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  6. [Learning Modules only] If you want students to access content items in order, click Forced Sequence.
  7. [Learning Modules only] You can add a custom image to display on the Course Content page. See the Learning Module images section below for details.
  8. Click Save.
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Learning Module images

Learning Modules can display a small image on the Course Content page. This can be used to reflect the topic of weekly content.

The image will appear on the left of the module on the Course Content area, helping to make the site more visually appealing and aid navigation. You can't change the size or shape of the image shown.

Learning module displayed on Course Content area with image to left of item name

Note

Some departmental templates include pre-populated Learning Module images. Refer to your departmental guidance on whether these should be changed.

Add or update an image

  1. Create a new Learning Module or click the three dots icon to edit an existing Learning Module.
  2. In the Image section, click the image icon or Add Image and upload an image. JPEG and PNG formats are supported.
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  3. Preview the image: click Next to continue, or click the bin icon to delete and upload another.
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  4. Select the area of the image to appear on the Learning Module. You can adjust the zoom of the image using the slider. Click Save to continue.
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  5. Click Save.

You can also watch a demonstration of adding a Learning Module image:

How To Add Learning Module Icon Images To VLE Ultra [YouTube]

Accessibility

The learning module image is automatically marked as decorative, which hides the banner for students using assistive technologies. If the content of the image is important, uncheck Mark the image as decorative and enter a description of the image in the Alternative text field.

Image of learning module editing window, option to add alternative text

Sourcing images

Warning

You must not use copyrighted material for site images.

Images should be high quality: use the University’s photo library or Unsplash.com to source copyright-free images.

Download images at a resolution that meets the minimum requirements for Ultra. The Web Image gallery size on the University's photo library meets these requirements.

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Creating icons

Generate Learning Modules & images with AI

You can use the AI Design Assistant Tool to auto-generate Learning Modules with descriptions and images based on your site content.

Using AI tools effectively

AI-generated content is a starting point for your own content development rather than a finished product. You must always carefully check that output is accurate and appropriate for your intended use and adapt as needed.

See our general guide to Artificial Intelligence tools for more details on using AI responsibly.

Steps to generate Learning Modules:

  1. In a relevant location in the Course Content Area, click the plus icon, then Auto-Generate Modules. In an empty site, just click Auto-Generate Modules.
  2. Define the Learning Modules:
    • Provide module information in the Description box (eg. description copy/pasted from Module Catalogue) and/or Select course items (eg. a Module Overview page).
    • Choose a Complexity level and adapt other settings to your needs.
  3. Click Generate
  4. Review the generated content and select which Learning Modules to keep (you can edit them later).
  5. Click Add to Course.
  6. Check content for appropriacy and edit or adapt as needed.

Learning module interface: described below

Learning Modules: interface and examples of generated content

Description: Topics to include: history, fell racing, training, navigation

Select course items: none selected

Title prefix: Week

Include images: Yes

Complexity: level 7/10

Number of Learning Modules: 4 (maximum 20)

Content generated:

  • Week 1: Introduction to Fell Running History. Discover the rich history of fell running, from its origins in the Lake District to the establishment of iconic fell races. Explore key moments and figures that have shaped the sport over the years.
  • Week 2: Exploring Fell Racing Events. Dive into the thrilling world of fell racing, where athletes tackle rugged terrain and towering peaks. Learn about the different race formats, challenges faced, and the spirit of competition in fell running.
  • Week 3: Fell Running Training Fundamentals. Master the essential training techniques for fell running, including strength, endurance, and hill skills. Understand how to develop a training plan tailored to the demands of fell running courses.
  • Week 4: Navigating in Fell Running. Develop crucial navigation skills for fell running adventures. Learn to read maps, use compasses, and navigate challenging terrains with confidence. Enhance your ability to stay on course in any fell running event.

Each Learning Module also has a generated decorative image relevant to the content.