How do I stop a Module from continuing to the next Module?

[s_golden]

How do I stop a Module from continuing to the next Module?

 e.g. i have broken my course into 12 discreet lessons corresponding to 12 weeks -- when a student completes one lesson, i would like them to return to the home page and not move to the next module automatically

[James · Accepted solution]

 @s_golden  

You can lock modules so that they cannot be accessed before a certain date. Here's a lesson from the Canvas Instructor Guide that explains how: How do I lock a module?  

[DanJagger]

I'd like to keep all the content available but find a way to flag to students that they have come to the end of one module and are about to enter the next one. If the 'next' button on the last page of a module would take students back to the module page (or have that as an option) that would be ideal.

[TrishaMeyer1]

Hi @DanJagger ,

Unfortunately it is not possible to do exactly what you want, as far as I know. I have had the same desire when working with modules, especially since students prefer to have the most recent module placed at the TOP of the page, which means that clicking on Next takes them to an EARLIER module.

There are a few things you can do, however. You can make a page with an image of a STOP sign (or whatever you want) on it to give a visual cue that students have reached the end of that section. Place that page as the last item in the Module.

On that page you can create your own button that takes students back to the Modules page or to whatever destination you designate. You can also include text directing your students to use the button to (return to modules) or (advance to next section). If they see a prominent button with clear instructions, they are less likely to scroll to the bottom to find/use the built-in Next button.

But it currently is not possible to disable that button (again, as far as I know). 

[James]

This notion of disabling the Next button when at the end of a module has been discussed before. It can be done. Someone might have even written code to do it. I seem to remember discussing writing code to do it and what would be required. While possible, it's something that would need to be done at the [sub]account level since it would involve custom JavaScript. Faculty could not implement it on their own (that's a good thing for consistency across courses and helps the students).

You might think about using custom CSS instead of JavaScript, but CSS selectors don't allow you to select based on text. The only difference between the next module item within the current module and the next module is in the text of the tooltip. The tooltip adds a strong (bold) "Next Module:" when it's at the end of a module.

JavaScript could pick up on that text, but that is very language (English in my case) specific and not something good to query against unless everyone uses the same language -- or at least you only care about hiding the button for those who use the primary language.

Since that implementation would be for everyone in that subaccount, the change would need to be agreed upon by everyone using it. It's definitely not a "Joe can do this" while "Jane does that" kind of thing.

On the other hand, @TrishaMeyer1 makes a good suggestion about using a stop page that can be added to the end of each module. That allows faculty the control over what they want.

I cannot even say it should be a "congratulations! you've finished the module" page, because that's not true if the items aren't enforced in a sequential manner. Going back to the modules page may not be the best decision, either. That's basically the Home link for people, so it duplicates functionality. On the other hand, letting them know that Next takes them to the next module could be informative.

The whole situation isn't clear-cut. I use the module system for badges, so I don't want the students using the previous or next button at all, otherwise, they miss the important stuff that isn't required for a badge. For other people, it can make sense. Canvas tries to make it work well for the middle group of users. Those with demands on the high or low end have to work around things to get what they want.

I'm not sure how big of a problem this really is. It may depend on the students. Most of mine are able to figure out when the topics change. In reality, few of mine probably use the Next button anyway, they just jump to assignments that appear on the To Do list or the Grades page (that have 0's because they missed it).

[DanJagger]

Thanks James,

That's really useful. We're currently in a phase of setup and configuration of Canvas across our institution so this is something for us to discuss  as the overloading of students has been a clear problem (highlighted during the Pandemic) and this default functionality seems to allow students to do more than required without really noticing.

Great info as always thanks again!