Overview: How do I use a course as a member?

Introduction to courses

Courses support teaching and training events. A course can contain different content, such as sessions for event dates, files with slides for presentations, or tests to check your learning.

For orientation:

  • You access course content through the Content tab.
  • Normally, course members can see who else is a course member and contact other members in the Members tab.
    Note: The Members tab can be disabled by an administrator.
  • In many courses, a calendar is used to organize the common work. This then appears as a separate block in the Contents tab.
  • An overview of all courses in which you are a member can be found on your dashboard.
    Note: This menu item is not available on all installations.
  • To leave a course, open the End Course Membership tab and follow the instructions.
    Note: This tab will only be displayed if you are allowed to unsubscribe from the course on your own.

Using a course content

You want to use the content of a course.

  1. Open the tab Contents of the course.
  2. Click on the title of the desired object, e.g., a session, file, or folder.
  3. ILIAS opens the corresponding object.
  4. If necessary, open the help again to get information on how to use the respective object.

Note on the objects file and learning module:

  • If you click on the title of a file, the file is either offered for download or displayed directly depending on the settings in ILIAS and your operating system.
  • If you click on the title of a learning module in HTML or SCORM format, it will be opened in a new window.

Using courses in teaching

Setting up new courses

How do you set up a new course in a meaningful way?

  • Decide on a suitable course scenario. Determine learners' freedoms and whether you want to offer face-to-face sessions (in addition to working in ILIAS).
  • Determine which and how many users can participate in the course and how they can pass it.
  • In the Content tab, add all the content and tools you want your learners to use.
  • This choice is mostly dependent on your chosen course scenario.
  • If necessary, make additional settings or embellish the course.
  • Put the course online, making it accessible to other users. If necessary, set the course to be automatically put online in a specified time period.
  • Wait for users to register for the course - or add users as participants on your own.

Purpose of courses

Teaching and training events are mostly offered as courses in ILIAS. The course serves three main requirements:

  • Provide content and tools: The course provides a space where content and communication tools such as files, forums, or learning modules are made available.
  • Serve members: Course members are served by course tutors and course administrators. Each course automatically has its mailing list for communication.
  • Control access:  The course regulates access to and uses various content and tools. It controls who can become a member under which conditions and which course content members can access.

Of course, the course can do much more - but these are, simplified, its most important tasks.

The most important tabs

The course is complex and is therefore set up in several tabs. The most important tabs are as follows:

  • Settings: Here, you determine what kind of course you want to run. You determine who can access it, when, and how the course content will be sorted and displayed.
  • Content: You add all the tools and content you want learners to work with here. You can see a listing of all tools by clicking Add new object.
  • Members: Here, you can see who is already a member, tutor, or administrator of your course. You can add members to the course, delete them, or change their status here. You can select people to tutor.
  • View preview as a member: Here, you can see what the course looks like for your members. You can check if everything works as you planned.

Of course, the other tabs are also important - depending on your usage scenario. You can get help on the functions of ALL tabs by opening them and reopening the online help there.

Delimitation: Course or Group?

While the course is primarily intended to support courses, the group is particularly suitable for teamwork and learning groups. At first glance, both objects offer quite similar functions. Nevertheless, they differ in some central points:
Basically, it can be said that the group offers a smaller range of functions than the course. The following things are only possible with courses, but not with groups:

  • Activation for a certain period of time
  • Learning objectives and content recommendations
  • Learning planning

It is not possible to create courses within groups. It is also not possible to create additional courses within a course. However, you can easily create groups within courses.
This can be especially helpful for larger courses: For example, all 50-course participants would have access to the same content. However, they would be divided into ten groups of five participants each to prepare for an exam. At the same time, they can communicate within the group via forums or mail and, if necessary, receive tutorial support independently of the course.

Using preset course scenarios

Overview Course Scenarios

ILIAS supports the following scenarios using default settings. They can be set up with just a few clicks. Each of these scenarios is presented in more detail in the linked chapters:

  • Blended Learning: The session view of a course is suitable for alternating face-to-face events and independent learning in ILIAS. Topics and materials are assigned to a specific face-to-face event, and information about the venue is provided.
  • Fixed learning path: Course members should work through the content in a specific order. You define a mandatory learning path via prerequisites. After working through the first content, the next one is automatically released.
  • Self-study: Learners work through a learning field independently. The topic is divided into learning objectives to which content and questions are assigned. An entry test classifies the participants. Based on the results, content is suggested that corresponds to the respective learning level—a final test checks whether all learning objectives have been achieved.
  • Learning planning: Instructors recommend a timeframe for learners to complete the content or specify a mandatory timeframe. Learners are given specific learning plans of what they need to complete and by when. Instructors receive an overview of the progress of individual learning plans. In particular, participants who are unaccustomed to learning are taken by the hand.

Blended learning: classroom learning with sessions

Use sessions to map classroom events in your course. Create a separate session for each classroom event. Assign material to the appointments. The session view is the default view of the course.

You want to offer a blended learning event, display your face-to-face appointments, and assign content to them.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. Scroll down to the Display section.
  3. Under View, activate the Session View radio button.
    - All sessions you create will be displayed as accordions sorted by date. The content you later assign to the session will be placed in the accordion.
    - Below the session accordions, all course content not assigned to a session appears.
  4. If you want to limit the number of sessions displayed, select the Limit session count checkbox.
    - Specify how many sessions should be displayed before and after the next session. A course with many sessions is displayed more clearly in this way.
    - Course members can no longer access hidden sessions.
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports "Change saved".

Especially for blended learning events, it often makes sense to set a date for the latest course exit and to inform the participants in which period the whole event will take place.

Fixed learning path: Courses with prerequisites

You can use prerequisites to define a mandatory learning path. This enables you to ensure that members work through the objects in the course in a specific order. Only after the successful completion of a learning object is the next one automatically released.

Alternatively, it is also possible to use NEGATIVE preconditions: Content is only retrievable if a performance requirement has just NOT (yet) been met. This way, you can, for example, provide learning content for some participants to catch up on.

Read the introduction to preconditions for these topics. Follow the instructions in the Settings > Preconditions tab to create a learning path.

Propaedeutics: Learning Objective-Oriented Courses

Learning goal-oriented courses support learners in working through a topic area largely on their own. To do this, change the course display to a learning objectives-oriented view.

The learning objectives are assigned learning materials from the course content pool on the one hand and test questions for checking the achievement of the objectives on the other hand.

  • An initial test can be used to check prior knowledge.
  • Based on their performance on the test, learners then receive suggestions for course materials that correspond to their individual learning levels. Learners who have mastered a learning objective do not need to work on the assigned content.
  • A final test is administered to test whether the course has been successfully completed with all learning objectives.

To define learning objectives, you need to activate the learning objective orientation of the course:

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course. Scroll down to the Display section. Under View, enable the Learning Objective Oriented View option.
  2. Click on Save.
  3. ILIAS displays a new tab, Learning objectives.
  4. Now open the Learning Objectives tab.  A short introduction explains the most important elements and concepts and the sequence for efficient work.

Learning planning: Specify or recommend a time frame

A course with learning planning allows you to give learners a time frame for working on learning content.
This can be a fixed time frame or a recommended time frame. In the latter case, learners can adjust the learning plan according to their own needs before accepting it. However, the instructor again determines the amount of time available to do so.

You want to activate the recommended learning plan view.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Display section.
  3. Under View, enable the Learning Planning View option.
  4. Click the Save button.    
    Note: If you select this course view, the sorting in the next settings section will automatically be set By Timing.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entry and reports "Change saved".
  6. To assign learning content to timed phases, navigate to the Content tab. There, click on the new link, Learning planning.
  7. Follow the instructions there to activate and configure learning planning.

Configuring Settings in Courses

Overview of settings in courses

In the settings, you determine how your course looks to members and what features it offers.
In the Settings tab under the Course Settings link, you can:

  • set the course online
  • determine how enrollment works and how users get into the course
  • determine how course content is sorted,
  • determine how a course is "passed",
  • allow members to write emails to other course members or the course organizers, use the calendar, or rate the course content.

Using the links or sub-riders of the Settings tab, you can configure the following settings:

  • Course info: store contact details of the lecturers, the course program, and a map to get there.
  • Prerequisites: Determine content that must be edited or passed before users can access the course.
  • Start objects: Determine what content members will use to start the course. Often a survey or entry test is used, for example. Until this object has been edited, the other content in the course will not be displayed.
  • Membership restriction: Ensure that users only sign up for one course. This is useful when the same topic is offered in multiple courses or when the attendance dates of two courses overlap.
  • Icon: Here, you can assign your icon to your course, which will be displayed in the repository.
  • Map: Enter the location of your attendance course on a map.
  • Course-specific user data: You request additional information about your participants (e.g., the course of study or the company code number).
  • Certificate: Members who have successfully passed the course can print out a certificate automatically generated by ILIAS after a one-time configuration.

Rename course

You want to give your course a different title.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. In the Title input field, change the name of the course.
  3. Click on Save.
  4. ILIAS changes the title of the course.

Note: You can also use the Description input field to add an explanatory subtitle, which will be displayed in smaller font below the title.

Specify event period

Especially in blended learning scenarios, it can be useful to quickly indicate to interested parties and participants in which period a course takes place.

Attention: Please do not confuse the event period with the time-limited availability! While the event period in ILIAS only serves information purposes, the setting "Time-limited availability" restricts the participants' access to the course!

You want to specify an event period.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Activate the checkbox Event period and enter a start and end date.
  3. Click on Save.
  4. The event period will now be displayed in the object list of the repository below the course title and the info tab of the course.

Set the course "online" and make it accessible.

Users can view and edit the course content only when the course is set online (or enroll if the course allows self-enrollment).

You want to set the course online so that users can access it.

  1. In the course, open the Settings tab.
  2. In the Availability section, select the Online checkbox. If this checkbox is not activated, only users with editing rights (e.g., tutors and administrators) will see this course. Deactivate the checkbox if you are editing a course or course members should not use it at the moment for other reasons.
  3. Click on the Save button.
  4. ILIAS puts the course online.

You can also decide to make the course automatically accessible only during a period of time you choose:

Prerequisite: the Online checkbox is selected. Otherwise, the course will not be accessible for participants even during the set period.

  1. In the Availability section, activate the Time-limited availability checkbox.
  2. In the Period section, select the desired start and end.
    Optional: Select the Always visible checkbox.
    The course title and information in the Info tab are then visible to users outside the selected time period. Otherwise, there will be no indication of the course for users outside the selected time period.
  3. Click on the Save button.
  4. ILIAS will accept your entries.

How do users get into the course?

Note: These instructions only provide a brief overview. The chapter Manage Members > Set Enrollment Processes provides a detailed explanation of all options.

Users can either enter the course via a tutor/administrator or join on their own. In the latter case, there are different degrees of accessibility: participants can join directly and immediately, only after entering a course password, or after a manual release by a tutor, depending on the settings.

In all cases of independent joining, the course's time period and the maximum number of members can be limited.

You want to set how users get into the course.

  1. Open the Settings tab and navigate to the Independent joining by users section.
  2. Activate one of the radio buttons in the Accession procedure section:
    Direct access: Users enter the course immediately with a mouse click.
    Join with course password: Users must enter the password to join, which you save here
    Joining after confirmation: A tutor or administrator has to confirm the joining by users manually
    No independent joining: Only tutors or administrators can add users as participants
  3. Optional: Check the Join by link checkbox.
    Regardless of the joining method selected, users can join the course directly and immediately by following the link.
    Joining via link works even if the user must log in to ILIAS first or register.
  4. Optional: Activate the checkbox Time-limited joining and select the desired time period.    
    Prerequisite: This setting only takes effect if independent joining (direct/course password/confirmation) is possible.
  5. Optional: Select the Latest course exit checkbox and select the desired date to prevent course exit by members after this date.    
    Note: This can be useful for running seminars with binding registrations.
  6. Optional: Limit the number of members or set a minimum number of participants.
  7. Click on the Save button.
  8. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports, "Changes saved."

Sorting the contents

By default, ILIAS displays all course materials in a "Content list." This list is sorted alphabetically but has no pedagogical motivation.

However, you can sort the course materials according to your needs. In doing so, you have three options. You can:

  • add images and intermediate texts to the visual layout of a course using the page editor,
  • place contents of different types in a "package" on the page using object blocks,
  • choose between various automatic and manual sorting of content.

The following instructions describe your options when sorting.

  1. In the Appearance section under View, select one of the following two options:
  2. After making your selection, click Save.
  3. ILIAS will display the course content accordingly.

You want to determine the way the course materials are sorted.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. In the Display section under View, select one of the following two options:
    - Simple List displays all content in a simple list.
    - Grouped by type groups all content into blocks of one type each (all files, all forums, etc.).
    The other options in the View section are only required for certain teaching scenarios. They are described in more detail in the action guides for blended learning, self-study, and learning planning.
  3. You can sort the list according to your preferences or manually sort it. To do so, select the desired option in the Sorting section. In the Display section, scroll down to the Sort option.
  4. Activate the desired radio button:
    - Alphabetically by title
    - By creation date
    - By Time: The objects in the course are automatically sorted by the recommended editing period or availability. This is set separately for each object.
    - Manually: If you make this selection, the new Sort link will appear in the Content tab after saving.
  5. Navigate to this link to sort according to your preferences.
  6. Select the desired sorting direction:
    - Ascending (from A to Z; from earlier to more recent date) or Descending (from Z to A; from more recent to an earlier date).
    - In the case of Manual, you also select the position and order of new objects that you have not sorted manually yet.
  7. Click the Save button.
  8. ILIAS states the content according to your selection and reports "Changes saved".

When is the course considered "passed"?

Members who have edited a course can receive the status "passed". This status can be specified, for example, as a prerequisite for taking a follow-up course or receiving a certificate.

The instructor can either set the pass status manually or automatically assign it by ILIAS as soon as the edited status has been reached in the learning progress.

Prerequisite: Learning progress must be activated for this function. If necessary, contact your ILIAS administrator to activate the learning progress. If the learning progress remains switched off on your platform, you can only set the status "Passed" manually.
You want to set how the pass status is assigned.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. Scroll down to the Passing section of the course.
  3. Activate one of the options:
    Derive from learning progress: The pass status is determined automatically. However, you can make changes manually.
    Manually by tutor only: In the Members tab, the tutor manually sets the learner's pass status.
  4. Click on Save.
  5. ILIAS accepts your input and reports "Changes saved".

Activate calendar

In the calendar, appointments are organized and published. These will then appear for all members in the course calendar and the calendar that can be accessed on their Personal Desktops. Only members with the right "Edit calendar" can create or modify new appointments.

You want to activate the calendar.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional functions section.
  3. Activate the Calendar checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports "Changes saved".

Marking a course with metadata

The word "metadata" is a bit unwieldy at first, but there is a helpful tool behind it. As "data about data", metadata describes the content you create in ILIAS. Metadata helps you to identify your authorship, to license content, or to document revisions and updates. Well-maintained metadata can be helpful for later use of your learning materials - for example, to improve advanced searching on your installation or to sort catalog and document learning objects according to your preferences.

To learn more about this helpful feature, please open the Metadata tab and follow the instructions.

Filter content by tagging cloud

You want to allow participants to filter all content in the course using a "Tag Cloud". In doing so, an overview of all tags (labels) assigned to course content is displayed in the Content tab. Clicking on one of the tags filters the display in the Content tab accordingly.

Prerequisite: To use this function meaningfully, the content of your course must be tagged. This is usually done in the Info tab of the respective object.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Functions section.
  3. Check the Tag Cloud checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your input and reports "Changes saved". The tag cloud is now displayed in the Content tab.

Rating content with asterisks

You want to allow participants to rate files, learning modules, and wikis in the course. The participants will be shown a scale from zero to five stars for these objects in the Content tab. By clicking on the desired number, the object can then be rated.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional functions section.
  3. Activate the Rating for new objects checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your input and reports "Changes saved". The rating function is now displayed in the Content tab for corresponding objects.

Member tab for course participants

You want to enable participants to have information about other course members displayed in the Members tab.

This feature is enabled by default. If you disable it, the member's gallery will no longer be displayed in the Members tab. However, if this feature is enabled, course members can still send emails to other members or tutors.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Features section.
  3. Check or uncheck the Member Gallery checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports "Change saved".

Provide members with a list of participants.

You want to enable participants to have information about other course members displayed in the Members tab.

Note: This feature is enabled by default. If you disable it, course members will still see the Members tab, but they will no longer be able to create and print a list of participants. If you want to hide the Members tab, follow the corresponding instructions.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Functions section.
  3. Activate the checkbox Member gallery.
  4. Below the Member Gallery entry, the Participant List checkbox appears. Activate the Participant list checkbox.
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports "Change saved".

A mailing list for course members

By default, course members can send e-mails to all members and tutors from ILIAS via a special mailing list. However, you can switch off this functionality.

You want to enable or disable the mail to members feature.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Functions section.
  3. Under Mail to members, activate the desired radio button:
    - For administrators and tutors only
    - For all members
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your input and reports "Change saved".

Welcome mail for new members

Users who have been entered into the course by the course administrator via member administration will automatically receive a welcome e-mail. The welcome email contains a link to the course, allowing users to access it quickly. This welcome email is default enabled and sent as soon as a person is enrolled in the course.

If you do NOT want to send an automatic welcome email but prefer to inform members otherwise, disable this option for your course.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Features section.
  3. Uncheck the Welcome email for new members checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS will accept your entry and report "Change saved".

Enable direct access to course materials.

You want to give members faster access to specific materials from the course. Members can then place individual objects (e.g., a test or a forum) directly on their personal desktops and access them without having to open the parent course first.

This feature is enabled by default.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Scroll down to the Additional Functions section.
  3. Select the Place on the desktop checkbox.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entry and reports "Change saved".

Contact details, info on the program, and arrival

Publish info and contact data

You want to deposit general information about the course and your contact data.

Attention: If your course is online, all this information is already accessible for interested parties before registration. All users can access it even without reading rights in the info tab. The information will be displayed in ILIAS without prior registration if the course is in a public area.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the link Course info.
  3. Enter the desired information in the corresponding text entry fields:
    - Important information
    - Course program
    - Contact information (name, responsibility, e-mail, phone)
    - Office hours appointments
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports, "The settings have been saved".

Provide files for download.

You want to upload a file available to users as information about the course. It can contain, e.g., the course program.

Attention: If your course is online, all this information is already available for interested users before registration. All users can access it even without reading rights in the info tab. If the course is in the public area, the file can also be accessed in ILIAS without prior login.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the link Course Info.
  3. Scroll down to the Files to download section.
  4. Optionally, enter a title in the File text entry field.
    - If you do not enter a title here, ILIAS will take the file's name as the title.
  5. Click on the Select file button. ILIAS opens the upload dialog of your browser.
  6. Select the desired file on your computer.
  7. Click the Save button at the top or bottom of the page.
  8. ILIAS uploads the file and reports, "The settings have been saved".

You want to remove already uploaded files from the course information again.

  1. Open the tab Settings.
  2. Click on the link Course info.
  3. Scroll down to the Files to download section.
  4. Select the checkbox in front of the file you want to delete.
  5. Click on the Delete button.
  6. ILIAS will ask you if you want to delete the file. Click on the Confirm button.
  7. ILIAS deletes the file and reports, "The settings have been saved".

Provide a map with the location.

You can store a map of the event location displayed using an online map service.

Prerequisite: The map function may have to be activated by an ILIAS administrator.

You want to select a location on the map and display it in the course.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the Map link.    
    Note: If this link is not displayed to you, an administrator must first activate the map function.
  3. Select the Enable map to the course checkbox.
  4. Select the desired location on the map. You have three options to do this:
    - Enter the coordinates in the Latitude / Longitude text entry fields.
    - Search for an address by entering it in the Address text input field and clicking the Search Address button.
    - Click the mouse on the map to select the desired location.
    If necessary, select a different magnification level from the drop-down menu (1=smallest magnification, 18=largest magnification).
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS will accept your entries and will now display the map in the Members tab under the Map Course
  7. Members link.    
    Note: This map will also show members' locations if they have enabled and shared it in their profile.

Enable direct contact via e-mail.

You want participants and interested parties to be able to send you an email directly from the course info page.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the Course info link.
  3. In the Contact section, enter your email address.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS will accept your entries and report, "The settings have been saved".

Participants and interested parties will now see your e-mail address as a link on the info page. A click on it opens the ILIAS mail module. If you have administrator rights, you can also create templates for these emails. See Administration > Mail > Text templates.

Printing the list of participants

Generate and print the participant list.

You want to generate and print a participant list.

Prerequisite in the course: The member's tab and the mail function have been activated by your course administrator.

  1. Open the Members tab.
  2. Click on the button Generate list.
  3. ILIAS opens the print dialog. You can print the list of all course members.

Defining preconditions in the course

Preconditions - Introduction

Using preconditions, you can define that only learners who have fulfilled certain performance requirements will get access to a course (or to single objects within a course).

Pre-requisites specify for an object the requirements learners must meet before they can work with it: For example, before one can begin course "XY," one must have achieved a "pass" status in learning object "ABC."

Depending on the object, a negative status can also apply as a precondition: All learners who failed a test would get access to a special learning module for repeating content. On the other hand, those who passed the test would not be shown this learning module at all.

It is possible to create one or more preconditions for a course (or an object contained in it). In the case of multiple preconditions, it is possible to specify which preconditions are mandatory and how many must be fulfilled.

The following objects can be made preconditions:

  • Learning module SCORM/AICC
  • Learning module ILIAS
  • Exercise
  • Test
  • Survey
  • Course

When selecting objects as preconditions, please note that in many cases, the required status (e.g., "passed") in the corresponding object (e.g., an exercise) has to be assigned manually by an instructor. If this is forgotten, the learner cannot access the object protected by the precondition before the status is assigned - even though he has sometimes already completed the exercise!

Another logical prerequisite for the choice is that the precondition objects are outside the object to be protected by the precondition. Otherwise, learners would have no way to satisfy the precondition.

Creating a new precondition for a course

You want to create a new precondition.

  1. Navigate to the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the Pre-conditions link.
  3. Click the Create new precondition button.
  4. In the tree, navigate to the object that will be used for the precondition.     Note: you can further open the tree with the small arrow sign.
  5. Click on the name of the object (marked as a link).
  6. ILIAS opens a new page.
  7. In the selection menu, set the condition that a participant must fulfill.
    Depending on the object, you can choose between Passed, Failed, Finished, and Not finished.
  8. If learning progress is enabled on your ILIAS installation, you can also select Derive status from learning progress for all objects (except surveys).
    - In this case, the precondition is considered fulfilled if the learner has reached the learning progress status "green" (processed).
    - How this status can be achieved (e.g., a certain number of visits, fulfillment of learning duration, correctly answered questions...) depends on the learning progress settings.
  9. Click the Save button.
  10. ILIAS creates the precondition and reports, "A new precondition has been created."

Special case: Creating a precondition for a single object within the course

Preconditions can be used to protect not only entire courses but also individual objects contained within them. This would make it possible, for example, to release all the course content but protect the forum until the learner has completed netiquette training.

You want to create a precondition for a single object in the course.

  1. Open the Content tab.
  2. Locate the object you want to protect with a precondition.
  3. Open the drop-down menu next to the object and click the Availability link.
  4. Open the Preconditions tab.
  5. Now follow the "Create a new precondition for a course" action guide starting from step 3.

Making only a subset of preconditions mandatory

If you have created multiple preconditions, not all of them necessarily have to be met. Instead, you can freely determine how many of the prerequisites must be met in total and which ones are mandatory.

You want learners to have to fulfill only a subset of the preconditions. However, you want a subset of them to be mandatory for all learners.

  1. Create all the preconditions you want. Follow the "Create a new prerequisite for a course" action guide to doing this.
  2. Open the Settings tab.
  3. Click on the Pre-requisites link.
  4. In the Pre-condition settings section, activate the Subset of a preconditions radio button.
  5. Under the Number of materials required, enter the minimum number of preconditions the learner must meet.    
    Note: The minimum value is always the number of mandatory preconditions + 1. The maximum value is the number of all preconditions. You can adjust these values by changing the number of mandatory preconditions in step 7.
  6. Click the Save button.
  7. In the Defined preconditions table, select the checkboxes of all objects that should be set as mandatory preconditions in the Mandatory column.    
    Note: If no checkboxes are displayed in this column, follow steps 4-6 of this action guide first.
  8. Click the Save Mandatory button.
  9. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports, "The settings have been saved."

Make the course invisible until all preconditions are met.

Normally, courses (and other objects) protected by preconditions will still be displayed to learners. Only the content cannot be accessed until all preconditions are met.

However, it is also possible to completely hide the course (or other objects) until the preconditions are met. So in this setting, learners don't know about the protected object until they meet the preconditions. Only then becomes visible and can be accessed.

You want to hide the course until all preconditions are met.

Prerequisite: You have already created preconditions for your course.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click the Pre-requisites link.
  3. In the Pre-conditions settings section, select the Hide object checkbox.
  4. Click the Save button.
  5. ILIAS hides the object and reports, "The settings have been saved."

Modify precondition

You want to change an already existing precondition.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the link Preconditions.
  3. In the table of your preconditions, in the Actions column, click the Edit link of the desired precondition.
  4. In the Edit precondition section, change the condition in the drop-down menu.
  5. Click the Save button.
  6. ILIAS will apply your change.

Delete precondition

You want to delete a precondition.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the link Preconditions.
  3. In the table of your preconditions, activate the checkbox in front of the desired precondition.    
    Note: you can also select several preconditions.
  4. Click on the Delete button.
  5. ILIAS will ask you to confirm the deletion.
  6. Click on the Delete button.
  7. ILIAS deletes the selected precondition.

Learning Goal-Oriented Course - Introduction

The learning goal-oriented course is particularly suitable for self-learning scenarios that participants work through without supervision.
All learners have the same learning level after working through the learning goal-oriented course - no matter with which previous knowledge they started.

A topic is completely covered and described by the following elements

  • Learning objectives
  • learning materials and
  • test questions

Each learning objective is assigned both learning materials and test questions. A learning objective-oriented course combines these elements and offers them to learners. When assigning, you work most efficiently in a specific order.

Learning objective-oriented courses can be flexibly configured for different deployment scenarios.
The course can begin with an entry-level test. The course provides automated feedback to learners based on test results and presents content on learning objectives that have not yet been met. A final test verifies actual performance once again.

Elements of the learning objectives course

The following overview introduces important basic concepts of learning objectives-based courses. Before you begin, also look at the recommended sequence of steps.

Learning Objectives

Each learning objective must have both learning content and test questions associated with it so that the achievement of the objective can be assessed. Therefore, make each learning objective as specific as possible so you can clearly assign the required materials.

Learning content

You must create (or link) materials and tests before learning objectives. Any materials (except sessions) stored or linked in the course can be used. Content located in folders and groups within your course can also be selected. If you use ILIAS learning modules, individual chapters or pages can also be linked to learning objectives.

Test questions

You can choose if and how entry tests should be offered. Entry tests can be used to diagnose learning levels and then follow up with soft learning recommendations. Or, passed entry tests can lead directly to an exemption from further work ('qualifying entry tests').  One final test can be offered across all learning objectives, or many smaller tests can be offered on individual learning objectives. Entry tests can also be set as "overall learning objectives" or "per learning objective".

Start object

With start objects, you can determine objects that new course members have to work on before the contents of the individual learning objectives become accessible. Learning modules, tests, or surveys can be used as start objects. If an entry test is used, it is automatically (the first) start object.

Examples of usage scenarios

The learning goal-oriented course allows for equalizing heterogeneous learning levels or homogenized learning levels.
It is a pure self-learning procedure: The learning activities are automatically controlled and individually adjusted.
Although the courses are complex to put together, they come with little or no tutorial support. For topics that are offered regularly, the effort is worthwhile.

Example propaedeutics

In the course, all learning objectives are to be demonstrably successfully mastered. Still, only those learning contents are worked through whose mastery has not already been demonstrated in the entry test. The individual learning time is reduced accordingly:

  • Qualifying entry test for all learning objectives, the entry test is the starting object; 90% of the questions must be answered correctly.
  • Six learning objectives,
  • Six chapters of an ILIAS learning module,
  • Final test on all learning objectives, hide test questions for passed learning objectives; 90% of questions must be answered correctly

Example instruction course

All learning objectives are to be taught demonstrably; all learning contents must be worked through:

  • No entry test
  • Six learning objectives
  • Six chapters of an ILIAS learning module,
  • One final test per learning objective, 90% of the questions must be answered correctly

The compilation of learning goal-oriented courses is time-consuming. A course checklist is available to you, which systematically lists and checks off the individual steps.

This checklist ensures that a complete learning objective-oriented course is configured.

However, you will work most efficiently in a slightly different order than the checklist: First, create your tests with all the questions you plan to ask. Create all the learning content. Only then start wiring the tests to the learning content via the test questions.

The least amount of work is done in the following order:

  1. Make basic settings
  2. Assign tests as entries or conclusion
  3. Create learning content
  4. Create and formulate learning objectives
  5. Assign materials to learning objectives

Basic settings and sequence of work

Making basic settings

You want to configure a course in the learning objective-oriented view.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. In the Display section under View, activate the option Learning objective-oriented view.
  3. Click on Save.
  4. ILIAS displays a new tab, Learning objectives.
  5. Open the new Learning Objectives tab.  Click on the Settings sub-tab.
  6. ILIAS presents a form and a small course checklist.
  7. Select the configuration for the entry test:
    Diagnostic entry test across all learning objectives: An entry test is completed "in one go" ggfs. as a start object, i.e., before other course content becomes available to members. The test can become tediously long if there are many learning objectives.
    Diagnostic entry test per learning objective: Several questions are asked for each learning objective.
    Qualifying test across all learning objectives: Participants must take this test at the beginning of the course. If the test is passed on the first attempt, the course member does not have to complete any further content. Only learning objectives that have not been achieved still need to be studied.
    Qualifying test per learning objective: Questions are selected and assigned per learning objective.
    No entry test: The learning content of all learning objectives is presented, and no upstream grading takes place.
  8. Select configuration for the final test:
    A final test on all learning objectives: A final test verifies the achievement of all learning objectives.
    Final test per learning objective: Questions are selected and assigned per learning objective.
  9. If necessary, activate the Allow resetting of personal test results checkbox under Test results.  This function saves a lot of work in the development phase of the course.
  10. Click on Save.
  11. ILIAS will accept your settings and check off the entry Make course settings in the checklist.

Assigning tests as entry or completion

Before you create the individual learning objectives, you should assign a test as a final test to the learning objective-oriented course and - depending on the settings of the learning objective-oriented course - another test as an entry test.

You can either use a test already in the course (including all tests in the Content tab) or create a new one.

Variant 1: Use an existing test
Prerequisite: There is already at least one test in the Content tab of your course.

  1. In the Learning Objectives tab, open the Entry Test or Final Test sub-tab.
  2. Select the option Use existing test. If there is not at least one test in the Content tab of your course, you cannot activate this option.
  3. Select the test you want to use from the Available Tests drop-down menu.
  4. Click on Save.
  5. ILIAS will assign the desired test.

Variant 2: Create a new test

  1. In the Learning Objectives tab, open the Entry Test or Final Test sub-tab.
  2. Select the option Create a new test.
  3. Enter a title and, if necessary, a description for the new test.
  4. Under Test question selection, choose between
    Random question selection: The test questions are randomly selected from a pool of questions.
    Fixed question selection: You select the questions manually or create them from scratch in the test.
  5. Click Save.
  6. ILIAS recreates the test. You can add and configure questions to the test by opening the Entry Test or Final Test link of the Learning Objectives tab and clicking the title of the newly created test.

Assigning materials to learning objectives

You want to assign materials such as files or learning modules to a learning objective.

Prerequisites: All required materials must already be in the course. If necessary, add them beforehand in the Content tab. Also, make sure that all materials are online. Otherwise, course members will not be able to access them.

  1. Open the Learning Objectives sub-tab in the Learning Objectives tab.
  2. In the Learning Objectives table, open the Actions menu of the desired learning objective and select the
  3. Assign Learning Content entry.
  4. In the Assign learning content table, select one or more checkboxes in front of the materials you want to assign to this learning objective.
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries, opens a new page, and reports, "The selected materials have been assigned."

Create learning objectives

Text the learning objective; it will appear in the course as the "Title" of the accordion. Please refrain from entering a description unless it is absolutely necessary. Descriptions make the screen 'full and noisy'.

You want to create a new learning objective in your course.

Prerequisites: You have already set a course to learning objective view. You have already added all the materials to the course that you want to assign to learning objectives. Otherwise, please do so before following this instruction.

Variant 1: Create learning objectives for the first time
Note: If learning objectives already exist in the course (or have been created and deleted again), you always have to create further learning objectives according to variant 2.

  1. Open the learning objectives sub-tab in the tab of the same name.
  2. Enter a learning objective wording in the text input field Learning objectives. You can add or remove further learning objectives using the +/- buttons.
  3. Click on Save.
  4. Follow the instructions of the following variant from step 7 onwards to configure the learning objectives.

Variant 2: Create learning objectives individually and configure them immediately

  1. Open the Learning Objectives link in the tab of the same name.
  2. Click on the button Add new learning objective.
  3. ILIAS opens the form Describe learning objective.
  4. Give your learning objective a title and, if necessary, a short description.
  5. Click on Save.
  6. ILIAS opens a new page and reports, "A new learning objective has been added."

Follow the instructions below to configure the learning objective further:

  • Assign materials to learning objectives
  • Set questions for the initial test
  • Set questions for the final test

Add content that appears in the learning objective accordion

The space in the learning objective accordion, below the learning objective but above the objects, acts as a cover page.
First, motivate your learners! Point out why the topic is important and in what context it is. Briefly outline the content. Use pictures, graphics, and other media to establish awareness.

You want to add more information to a learning objective that will be displayed to learners in the overview.

Prerequisite: You have already created the associated learning objective.

  1. Open the Learning Objectives link in the tab of the same name.
  2. ILIAS displays the Learning Objectives table.
  3. At the end of the line of the desired learning objective, open the ▼ menu.
  4. Select the entry Edit introduction.
  5. ILIAS opens the page editor.
  6. Add the desired content. If you need help doing this, open the online help again and follow the instructions for action in the page editor.
  7. Then click on Save.
  8. Click the Back tab to return to the Learning Objectives tab.

Setting the level of the performance requirement

Setting questions and passing level of the entry test

You want to assign entry test questions to a learning objective. Answering these questions will grade the learner.

Prerequisites:

  • You have selected a course design with an entry test.
  • You have already assigned an entry test to the course from which the questions can be selected.
  • Also, make sure that the test is online. Otherwise, users will not be able to access it.
  1. Open the Learning Objectives link of the tab with the same name. In the Learning Objectives table, open the ▼ menu of the desired learning objective and select the entry.
  2. Define entry test questions.
  3. ILIAS opens an overview of all questions in the entry test.
  4. Activate one or more checkboxes in front of the questions you want to assign to this learning objective.
  5. Click on Save.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries, opens a new page, and reports, "The selected materials have been assigned."

Next, specify how many points must be achieved to fulfill the learning objective.

  1. ILIAS shows which questions have just been selected and how many points can be achieved with these questions.
  2. Enter a value under the Required percentage of points. Course participants who have reached this percentage of points will not be recommended course materials for further work.
  3. Click Save.
  4. ILIAS shows you the table with the learning objectives again.

Set questions and pass the limit of the final test

You want to assign final test questions to a learning objective. Correct answering to these questions confirms the achievement of the learning objective.

Prerequisite:

  • You have already assigned a final test to the course from which the questions can be selected.
  • Also, make sure that the test is online. Otherwise, users will not be able to access it.
  1. Open the Learning Objectives link of the tab with the same name. In the Learning Objectives table, open the ▼ menu of the desired learning objective and select the entry.
  2. Set questions for the final test.
  3. ILIAS opens an overview of all questions in the final test.
  4. Activate one or more checkboxes in front of the questions you want to assign to this learning objective.
  5. Click on Save.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries, opens a new page, and reports, "The selected materials have been assigned."

Next, specify how many points must be achieved to fulfill the learning objective.

  1. ILIAS shows which questions have just been selected and how many points can be achieved with these questions.
  2. Enter a value under the Required percentage of points. Course participants who have reached this percentage of points will not be recommended course materials for further work.
  3. Click Save.
  4. ILIAS shows you the table with the learning objectives again.

Possible sources of error

Everything set to 'online'?

Also, ensure all learning content and tests are set to online. Otherwise, course members will not be able to access them, and you will not be able to assign the content.

Tests as start objects

Note that an entry test is automatically placed on the list of start objects (Course > Learning objectives > Start objects and Course > Settings > Start objects). If the test is removed from this list, learners will no longer be able to access it.

Activate and configure the learning plan view

Create a learning plan for learners

You want to create a learning plan for your learners. Three steps are required to do this:

  • You activate the learning plan view in the settings.
  • You open the learning plan management (see below!).
  • You add recommended start and end times.

You want to open the learning plan management.

  1. Open the Content tab and click the Learning Planning link.
  2. Click on the button Learning planning administration.
  3. ILIAS reopens the page and loads the learning plan administration.
  4. You can now perform learning planning for the objects in the course and add start and end times for them.

ILIAS allows you to add a learning plan...

  • for some or
  • for all

...objects in a course to recommend dates for editing...

  • recommended or
  • unchangeable.

Prerequisites:

  • All desired objects already exist in the course. Otherwise, add them to your course first before following this tutorial.
  • The learning planning view has been activated in the settings.
  • The learning planning administration is open.

You want to enter the start and end times in your learning plan.

  1. Open the Content tab and click the Learning Planning link.
  2. Click on the button Learning plan administration.
  3. ILIAS shows you a table of all objects in the course that you can use for learning planning.
  4. Activate the checkbox Learning planning (Active) in the rows of the desired objects.
  5. Enter a time frame in days.
    ILIAS calculates the end date in the next column based on this time frame.
  6. Specify a recommendation for the start of editing.
  7. Optional: Select the Modifiable checkbox if you want course members to be able to change your recommended dates at their discretion.
  8. Optional: Under the Latest end, select the latest date by which editing of an object must be completed, even if the Modifiable checkbox is selected.    
    Note that the date must be as high as the end date calculated based on the start recommendation and the specified time frame.
  9. Click on the Save button.
  10. ILIAS accepts their entries and reports, "The settings have been saved."

Have my participants accepted the learning plan?

Depending on your settings, your course participants can modify the learning plan and only accept it.

Prerequisites:

  • A learning plan is active and configured.
  • There is at least one participant in the course.

You want to see whether a participant has accepted the learning plan and/or modified it.

  1. Open the Members tab.
  2. In the member list, scroll to the desired participant.
  3. In the row of the desired participant, click the Learning Planning link on the far right.
  4. ILIAS opens a new page. If necessary, you can see whether the participant has accepted the learning plan and modified it.

Accept or change your learning plan

Introduction to courses in ILIAS

Courses support teaching and training events. A course can contain very different content. This includes, for example, sessions for the individual event dates, files with associated slides, or tests to check your learning status.

For orientation:

  • You access all course content via the Content tab.
  • In courses with learning planning, you can independently determine when you want to work on some content.
  • Normally, course members can see who else is a course member and contact other members in the Members tab.
    Note: An administrator can disable the Members tab. In many courses, a calendar is used to organize the common work. This then appears as a separate block in the Contents tab.
  • An overview of all courses in which you are a member can be found on your Personal Desktop under the menu item My Courses and Groups.
    Note: This menu item is not available on all installations.
  • To leave a course, open the End Course Membership tab and follow the instructions.
    Note: This tab is only displayed if you are allowed to sign out of the course on your own.

Using the personal learning planning

In learning planning, you get an overview of when you should or have to work on which contents in a course.

You can take note of the learning plan and accept it from your course administrator or tutor. You can also send a comment to the tutor.

Depending on the tutor's instructions, you may also be allowed to adjust the time limits in the learning plan according to your own needs. In this case, in addition to the display of the recommended start and end of the processing, you will also be given the option to change the time frame of the processing.

Accept learning plan

You want to accept the default learning plan. This way, you can signal to your course administrator or tutor that you have taken note of the learning plan.

  1. Open the Content tab and click the Learning Planning link if necessary.
  2. In the Learning planning: remarks section, select the Accept recommended learning plan checkbox.
  3. Optional: Enter a comment about the learning plan.
  4. Optional: Select the Remark is visible to the tutor checkbox.
    Otherwise, only you can see the remark.
  5. Click the Save button.
  6. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports: "The settings have been saved."

Modify learning plan

Prerequisite: Your course administrator or tutor allows you to change the learning plan and has made the necessary settings. Please get in touch with him/her if necessary.

You want to change the default learning plan.

  1. Open the Content tab and click the Learning Planning link if necessary.
  2. In the Timeframe column of the table, enter the time period in the days you plan to spend working on the associated content.
  3. In the Scheduled column, enter your desired start date.    
    ILIAS automatically calculates the end date based on the start date and time frame you selected.    
    Ensure you do not exceed the latest end date when entering the information. This is set by your course administrator or tutor and must not be exceeded by you.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS accepts your entries and reports, "The settings have been saved."

Defining Start Objects in a Course

What are start objects?

Start objects are objects that course members must deal with before the rest of the course content is made accessible. These can be, for example, an entry survey or a test to query the learning or interest level of the participants. For learning goal-oriented courses, the entry test is automatically added to the list of start objects.

Which objects can be used as start objects?

  • Only objects that are within the same course can be used.    
    If users want to edit an external object before joining the course, you can set this using preconditions.
  • Possible object types are learning modules, tests, or surveys.

Add a new start object

You want to set up a new start object.

  1. Open the Settings tab in your course.
  2. Click on the link Start objects.
  3. Click on the button Add start object.
  4. ILIAS will show you a list of all objects of the types of learning modules, tests, or surveys that have been added to the course so far.
  5. Activate the checkbox in front of the desired objects.
  6. Click the Add start object button at the top or bottom of the list.
  7. ILIAS adds the launch object and reports, "The selected objects have been assigned."

Note: Remember to put all start objects online so course participants can see them.
Special cases in which a single object in the course is assigned preconditions

Remove selected start objects

You want to remove a start object.

Note: The object itself will not be deleted from the course. Only the assignment as a start object will be removed.

  1. Open the Settings tab.
  2. Click on the link Start objects.
  3. Activate the checkbox in front of the desired start object.
  4. Click the Remove button at the top or bottom of the list.
  5. ILIAS will ask you to confirm the deletion.
  6. Click on the Remove button.
  7. ILIAS deletes the start object and reports, "The assignment has been removed."

Sort start objects differently

When using multiple start objects, you can sort them as you wish and display them to your course participants accordingly.

You want to change the sorting of your start objects.

  1. Open the Settings tab and click on the Start objects link.
  2. ILIAS will show numerical values in the Sort column of all existing start objects.
  3. Change the numerical values so that they result in the new order. For example, give an object the value 9 to arrange it above an object with the value 10.
  4. Click the Save Sort button to put the objects in the new order.
  5. ILIAS will accept your entries and change the sort order.

Design a page with start objects or add introductory info

After calling up the course, users may initially only see the start objects that have been set. To facilitate the start, you can design this page freely and add, e.g., information about the further course procedure.

You want to design the page with start objects or add introductory info.

  1. Open the Settings tab and click the Start objects link.
  2. There, click on the Design page link.
  3. ILIAS will load the page editor. There you can insert text, add images, and much more. You will get instructions if you open the help there.

Why are my start objects not displayed?

You can add start objects even if they are not online yet. This can result in participants only seeing an empty page and not being able to edit the start objects.

You want to put your start objects online.

  1. Open the tab Contents of your course.
  2. Open the settings of the desired start object.
  3. Activate the Online checkbox there.
  4. Click on the Save button.
  5. ILIAS sets the object online. It will now be displayed to participants in the list of start objects.

Adding Course Members to Existing Groups

Assigning users to groups

You want to add selected course members to existing groups within the course.

  1. Open the Members tab.
  2. Click on the link Group memberships.
  3. ILIAS will display a table of all course members.
  4. Activate the checkboxes in front of the names of the desired course members.
  5. Open the drop-down menu above or below the table and select the desired group.    
    Note: This drop-down menu is only available if you have created at least one group in the course.
  6. Click the Add to group button.
  7. ILIAS will add the members to the group and report, "The participant has been added to the group."

Terminate group membership of users.

You want to sign out selected participants from groups within your course.

  1. Open the Members tab.
  2. Click on the link Group memberships.
  3. ILIAS displays a table of all course members.
  4. Click the End group membership link in the column of the desired member. If the user is a member of multiple groups, multiple corresponding links will also be displayed.
  5. ILIAS will ask you to confirm the unsubscription.
  6. Click on the Confirm button.
  7. ILIAS terminates the group membership and reports: "The membership has been canceled".

Adding an Icon to Your Course

Adding an icon to your course

You would like to add an icon to your course. This icon will then be displayed in the repository next to the course title.

Prerequisite: You have the desired icon in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format.

  1. Open the Settings tab in the course.
  2. Click on the Icon link.
  3. Click the Select file button next to Custom Icon to select and upload a file in SVG format.
  4. ILIAS opens the upload dialog of your browser. Now select the file from your computer.
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS uploads the icon and displays it next to the course title.

Tile layout

Show course location and participants on the map

Adding your location to the map

ILIAS allows you to assign a map to a course, displayed using an online map service. It can be accessed in the member's tab under the link Map course members. The location of the course as well as the locations of the participants, will then be displayed there.

Prerequisite: An instructor or administrator has enabled the Map to Course feature in the Settings tab in the Map Settings sub-tab. Otherwise, no link will be displayed in the Members tab. Also, you must have activated your Personal Profile.

You want to add your location to the map for course members.

  1. Open the Personal Desktop menu.
  2. Click the Personal data and profile link.
  3. Scroll down to the Other section.

Select the desired location on the map. You have three options to do this:

  • Enter the coordinates in the Latitude / Longitude text entry fields.
  • Search for an address by entering it in the Address text input field and clicking the Search Address button.
  • Click the mouse on the map to select the desired location.
  1. If necessary, select a different magnification level from the drop-down menu (1=smallest magnification, 18=largest magnification).
  2. Click the Save button.
  3. Open the Profile tab.
  4. In the list on the left, check the Own Location checkbox to make your location visible to logged-in users.
  5. Click on the Save button.
  6. ILIAS will now display your location in the course under Members > Map Course Members.

Finding other course members on the map

You want to find other course members on the map.

Prerequisite: an instructor or administrator has enabled the Map to Course feature in Settings. Otherwise, no link is displayed in the Members tab.

  1. In the Members tab, click the Map course members link.
  2. To the left of the map, click the link with the name of the desired participant.    
    Prerequisite: The participant has entered his location under his personal data and made it public in the profile. Otherwise, the name will not be displayed as a link.
  3. ILIAS displays the member's location on the map.