View source for Ops: Creating New Courses

Creating a new course shell is the first step in setting up a class. This page details every setting available in the "Edit course settings" page and provides recommendations for our standard operations.

__TOC__

== 1. Start the Process ==
# Go to '''Site administration''' → '''Courses''' → '''Manage courses and categories'''.
# Select the correct '''Category''' on the left (e.g., "Spring 2026").
# Click '''Create new course''' on the right side.

== 2. General Settings ==
This section contains the most critical metadata for the course.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Field
! Explanation
! 💡 Operational Recommendation
|-
| '''Course full name'''
| The title displayed at the top of the course and in lists.
| Use a standard format: <br>''[Code] Subject Name - Intake''<br>(e.g., "BUS101 Business Management - Spring 2026")
|-
| '''Course short name'''
| A unique identifier used in the navigation bar (breadcrumbs) and email subject lines. '''Must be unique''' across the entire system.
| Use a code without spaces.<br>(e.g., `BUS101_S26`)
|-
| '''Course category'''
| Where the course is filed.
| Double-check this is correct so students can find it.
|-
| '''Course visibility'''
| • '''Show''': Students can access it (if enrolled).<br>• '''Hide''': Only staff can see it.
| Set to '''Hide''' while you are building the course. Switch to '''Show''' on launch day.
|-
| '''Course start date'''
| Determines when the course appears in the "In Progress" tab on the Dashboard. Also marks the start of the Log files.
| Set to the actual first day of class.
|-
| '''Course end date'''
| Determines when the course moves to the "Past" tab on the Dashboard. <br>''Note: This does NOT kick students out. They can still enter the course.''
| Set to the exam date or semester end date. Enable this to keep student dashboards clean.
|}

== 3. Description ==
This info appears on the Dashboard card and the course list.

* '''Course summary''': A brief paragraph explaining what the course is about.
* '''Course image''': <span style="color:red;">High Importance.</span> This is the tile image shown on the Student Dashboard.
** '''Requirement''': Use a high-quality JPG/PNG (approx. 800x400 pixels).
** '''Design Tip''': Avoid text-heavy images. Use abstract patterns or subject-related photos (e.g., a calculator for Math).

== 4. Course Format ==
This setting controls the layout and user experience inside the course.

=== Format Options ===
* '''Topics format''' (Recommended): The course is divided into thematic sections (Topic 1, Topic 2, etc.). Best for most academic modules.
* '''Weekly format''': The course is divided by weeks, with dates automatically labeled. Best if the course structure is strictly timeline-based.
* '''Single activity format''': The course is just one big quiz or SCORM package. (Rarely used).
* '''Social format''': A big forum page. (Rarely used).

=== Layout Settings ===
* '''Hidden sections''':
** ''Hidden sections are shown in collapsed form'': Students see the topic title but can't open it (Good for "Coming Soon").
** ''Hidden sections are completely invisible'': Students don't see the topic at all (Cleaner).
* '''Course layout''':
** ''Show all sections on one page'': Traditional scroll.
** ''Show one section per page'': Reduces scrolling, students click "Next" to move between topics. '''Recommended for long courses.'''

== 5. Appearance ==
* '''Force language''': Leave as "Do not force" unless it is a language course (e.g., forcing French interface for a French class).
* '''Number of announcements''': Controls how many recent news items show in the "Latest announcements" block. Default (5) is usually fine.
* '''Show gradebook to students''': '''Yes'''. Students need to see their marks.
* '''Show activity reports''': '''No'''. This generates a lot of data and is rarely useful for students.

== 6. Files and Uploads ==
* '''Maximum upload size''': This limits the file size for '''both''' teachers (uploading materials) and students (uploading homework).
* '''Recommendation''': Set to the Site Limit (usually 50MB or 100MB).
* ''Note: If a student needs to submit a huge video file, do not increase this limit. Ask them to upload to OneDrive/Google Drive and submit the link instead.''

== 7. Completion Tracking ==
* '''Enable completion tracking''': '''Yes'''.
* This enables the "Mark as done" buttons and progress percentages. It is essential for a modern LMS experience.

== 8. Groups (Optional) ==
Only configure this if you have multiple cohorts (e.g., Class A and Class B) in the '''same''' course shell.

* '''Group mode''':
** ''No groups'': Everyone is together. (Standard).
** ''Separate groups'': Students in Group A cannot see Group B's work (e.g., forum posts).
** ''Visible groups'': Students work in their own group but can see what other groups are doing.
* '''Force group mode''': If set to Yes, this applies the group setting to every activity (Assignment, Forum, Quiz) automatically.

== 9. Role Renaming (Optional) ==
You can change the displayed label for roles in this specific course.
* ''Example'': Change "Teacher" to "Professor" or "Instructor".
* ''Example'': Change "Non-editing teacher" to "Tutor".
* This only changes the word shown to users; permissions remain the same.

== 10. Tags ==
Add keywords (e.g., "Business", "Level 1", "Fall") to help with searching if you have hundreds of courses.

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After configuring these settings, click '''Save and display''' at the bottom.
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