InterPro - Online Learning - Tools & Technology - Canvas - Content and Certificate Release Conditions (Module Requirements & Prerequisites)

This document explains how to set release conditions for content and certificates in Canvas, with a focus on using quiz scores for release.

Overview

Release conditions can be structured to influence student experiences in a course, or to ensure that prerequisite knowledge has been demonstrated before advancing through course material. In addition to structuring, release conditions can also be used to grant access to course completion certificates.


This document will focus on action-based (learner-initiated) release conditions. It's important to note that these actions can follow either a linear or non-linear progression. 


For more on time-based release conditions, see how to lock a module until a given date and time.

For more information on Mastery Path release conditions, see [Link for document 90398 is unavailable at this time] (UW Login required)

To set up release conditions for content and certificates, follow these steps: 
  1. Navigate to the Canvas course.
  2. Create modules within the course.
  3. Add course content as module items.
  4. Add requirements to a module. This will require students to complete specified tasks before marking the module as complete. The anticipated required activity (e.g., quiz) must be created and added to the module before it can be set as a requirement.
  5. Add prerequisites to a module. This keeps a module locked until all prerequisite modules have been completed.

Content Release Conditions

Requirements and prerequisites can be set to release course content, such as recorded presentations, exercises, and quizzes. Students will not have access to content until the release conditions are met. This allows the course to progress in a very specific manner for students.

The A5 DC System Design Calculations module for the FSP course is an example of how conditions can be set to release course content.

Modules that have requirements set but no prerequisites will have "Complete All Items" next to their name, as shown below.

The A1 Solar Power Assessment module has "Complete All Items" to the right of its name, as it has requirements set.

Modules that have both requirements and prerequisites set will have prerequisite modules listed, as well as "Complete All Items", to the right of their name.

The A5 DC System Design Calculations module has several prerequisite modules listed to the right of its name. This module won't be accessible until all prerequisite modules listed have been completed.

Certificate Release Conditions

Requirements and prerequisites can also be set to release course certificates. In this example, students must complete the requirements of all learning modules in order to gain access to the Course Wrap Up module, which contains the course participation certificate and course evaluation.

Successful completion of every learning module in the FSP course will unlock the Fundamentals of Solar Power - Course Wrap Up module, which contains the course participation certificate.


Using Quiz Scores to Release Content

The module requirements for this example course are final quiz scores of 70% or higher. The example below is for module B1, AC Collector System. You can see that there is one prerequisite module, A3, that must be completed before B1 can be accessed. Students must also score at least 7 out of 10 points on the B1 Final Assessment Quiz in order to mark the module as complete.

Access the Module Settings to set prerequisites and requirements.


Best Practices


If the course is asynchronous self-paced (see InterPro - Spectrum of Course Delivery Types & Options for more information), make sure to allow unlimited attempts on quizzes, and keep the highest score. This can be done by selecting Quizzes in the left navigation of the Canvas course, finding the corresponding quiz, and selecting Edit. Scroll down until you reach Options, and check the box to Allow Multiple Attempts. The Quiz Score to Keep should be set to Highest, and the Allowed Attempts box should be left unchecked.

Under Quiz Options, select "Allow Multiple Attempts". The Quiz Score to Keep should be "Highest", and the Allowed Attempts should be left blank to allow unlimited attempts.


If the course is asynchronous self-paced, it is recommended to use the fewest number of requirements (the most summative items) to complete the module in order to streamline student progression. For example, instead of setting requirements that the student must view every content page to complete the module, students can be required to earn a minimum score on the learning quiz/assessment.

These best practices will keep course progression moving smoothly for the students, while also requiring minimal manual oversight by the course instructor or instructional designer.
 

How to Override Quiz Score Requirements

There may be circumstances where you need to override module prerequisites and requirements so that a student can keep progressing in the course, or so they are able to receive a certificate. To do this, you must manually enter or edit grades in the Gradebook. Navigate to the Canvas Gradebook by selecting Grades from the left navigation. Find the appropriate student and corresponding quiz, and enter the passing score (e.g., 70%) manually into the quiz entry. This is why it's best to use quiz scores for release conditions; requiring a student to view a page cannot be manually overridden.




KeywordsEPD eHelp module requirements prerequisites unlock   Doc ID102138
OwnerLearning Design and Technologies TeamGroupInterdisciplinary Professional Programs
College of Engineering
Created2020-05-18 11:35:34Updated2021-06-30 15:53:31
SitesInterdisciplinary Professional Programs
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