Unlocking Modules: Publish or Not?

[hargerg]

I currently have future week's modules set to unlock on specific dates throughout the course. The module itself shows as "unpublished". The materials within each module are "published". I tested it out and when I publish the module, it shows in student view, even though it is not set to unlock yet. So even though I have future modules set to unlock on specific dates, they will not show on student view on the these dates because the module itself is still unpublished. So I would have to manually publish the module anyways.
Does anyone know how to handle this? 

[Chris_Hofer]

Good morning, @hargerg ...

I think this is all "by design".  If you check out this Guide:

How do I lock a module?

...you'll see in the "Note" in the light blue box at the top of the page which indicates, "For students to view a module after a lock until date, the module must be published in your course."  (highlighting is my own)

So yes, you would need to publish those modules...even if the unlock date is some time in the future.

Hope this helps to clarify things.  Sing out if you have other questions.

[hargerg]

Thank you @Chris_Hofer this was helpful information. Do you know if there is a way to "hide" the items in each future module? It is not a big deal if our participants see the items in future modules, but it would be nice if they could only see the module title until it is unlocked.

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

@hargerg ...

I think you'd have to use the option to manually unpublish all items, and then manually publish just the module (not the items within the module).  Then, you'd have to manually publish all items within the module...which you can do quickly by using the options available in this Guide:

How do I publish or unpublish a module as an instr... - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)

I understand what you are asking, and I think what I've suggested here is what you're trying to figure out...but I don't think it will be possible to set things up "automagically" like you are hoping...but you are at least somewhat close with locking your modules until a given date.

Sorry I don't have a better solution for you at this time.

[hargerg]

@Chris_Hofer Thank you for your help with this and clarifying for me. It seems like the best option is to publish the modules and just keep them unlocked until a given date.

Thanks again.