T2MTU: Manually Unlock a Module for Individual Students
by Amanda Dills
November 15, 2022
So far in our Automations series, we have set up requirements within a module and shown you a few ways to set up and utilize Automations within those modules that, once they are set up, can run continuously by the scenes without any instructor input:
But what if you need to have manual control over when individual students move to their next course module? (Maybe you want to give specific students early access over a holiday break, or you need to manually verify that each student has done the required work.) In that case you may want to create a Module Completion Column in your Gradebook that allows you to advance students to their next module with a single click.
Watch the video below for more information, or keep scrolling for written instructions:
Set Up a “Manually Unlock the Next Module” Assignment
Step One: Make sure you already have your module Prerequisites set up, so that the module you want to manually release is contingent upon meeting the criteria in a previous module.
Step Two: Create a new 2-point assignment in the module where you want the “Manual Trigger” to reside (this will be the Prerequisite Module that you set in the previous step). Give this assignment a title that will make sense for you and your students, such as “Module 3 Completion.” Open this assignment so that you are on the full-screen Edit Page.
Step Three: Scroll down below the assignment description (which you can leave blank), to the Settings area for the assignment, and change the following settings:
- Points = 2
- Display Grade As: Letter Grade
- Either select an Assignment Group that does not have any bearing on the final course grade, OR check the “Do not count this assignment towards the final grade checkbox.”
Step Four: Click on “View Grading Scheme” (see image above)
Step Five: Click “Select Another Scheme”
Step Six: On the left hand side of the pop up window, scroll until you find the Grading Scheme titled “Module Completion” and click it. Then click “Use This Grading Standard,” and then “Done” to return to the Edit Assignment Page.
Your “Display Grade As” dropdown will still be set to “Letter Grade,” and that is ok.
Step Seven: Click “Save and Publish,” and then return to your Modules Page.
Step Eight: Add the Assignment that you just created to the Requirements list for its module. (Click HERE for more help with creating requirements.) Select “Score at least” for the requirement option, and add “1” to the score text box that appears (as shown below). Then click “Update Module.”
Manually Unlock the Next Module for a Student
Step One: Go to your Canvas Gradebook, and find the column for the Assignment you created in the section above. (Hint: you may want to set up Filters in your Gradebook to make this easier!)
Step Two: Click into the cell for the assignment/student you want to unlock, and select the appropriate option from the dropdown menu. Your selection will auto-save.
The following options WILL RELEASE the next module to students, based on the criteria and requirements you have already set up:
✅ Completed – intended for students who have met all the module requirements satisfactorally
🔓 Manual Unlock – intended for unusual situations where the student may want or need to work ahead
❌ Failed (Remediation ✔) — intended for situations where the student has failed their module requirements but has completed necessary remediation
The following settings WILL NOT release the next module to students:
❌ Failed
😲 Missing
As always, if you have any questions about this or any other types of Automations in your course, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Contact: Tami | Carlos | Amanda | Whitley
Like this Tutorial? Click HERE to view all the Tuesday 2-Minute Tune Up articles!
