Create and Maintain Lessons

About Creating and Maintaining Lessons

Before an author creates a new WBT course from scratch, remember it is significantly easier to copy an existing library course or upload/import an existing PowerPoint presentation. If there is an existing course in a library that is close to course that needs to be created, copy then edit it to the new course requirements. Even if none of the pages match but the layout of the course is acceptable, copy the lesson then edit the content on each page because it is significantly easier and more time efficient to copy, edit, or delete exiting pages than to create new ones.

Immediately after a training item is completed (lesson  + WBT training item) it is available in the library selected by the author and can be added to the learner's curriculum. Lessons can be shared with authors in other divisions that have been granted the Division Author permission.

Note: A WBT course always has both a training item and a lesson. The Author menu is the only location in the LMS module where the content for WBT training items can be created or edited.

Creating a New Lesson

The instructions below provide detailed steps on how to create a new lesson from scratch and how to create a new lesson by copying an existing lesson. Remember, only user's with Division Author permission create or copy lesson.

How to Create a New Lesson from Scratch

Follow the steps provided below to create a new lesson from scratch.

Step

Action

1

Navigate to Author > Lessons in the LMS module menu. If shown, select the organization level lesson will be added to.

Note: The ability to view lessons in divisions outside of a users default division is determined by organization permissions.

2

Select    on the toolbar.

Result: The Lesson Information form will display on the left side of the screen with all available fields to complete and Training Item form will display on the right side of the screen.

3

Enter the title and code in the Lesson Title and Lesson Code fields.

4

Copyright/Footer is an optional free text field that can be used for display any copyright information, version information or data published. Enter any copyright or footer information, if necessary.

5

Select the Navigation Style drop-down menu to choose from a the list of available styles. To view the different styles select the ellipses next to the drop-down menu.

Note: If a style is not selected, the system will use the Blue Star style by default.

6

If necessary, change the default selection of Linear Navigation (recommended) to Free Navigation.

7

Select an audio feedback from the Correct Answer drop-down menu to play when learner's get an answer right.

Select an audio feedback from the Incorrect Answer drop-down menu to play when learner's get an answer wrong.

Note: To hear the selected sounds, click the speaker icon to the right each drop-down menu.

8

Ensure Company, and Division are correct.

Note: Lessons and training items are created and saved at the division level.

9

If the training item already exist for the lesson, select the Existing radio button and enter the search criteria. After search criteria has been entered, select Search and select the training item from the list.

10

If the training item does NOT already exist for the lesson, select the New radio button and complete the required fields in the Training Item form. Ensure the division for the training item and lesson match.

Note: The same title and code can be used for both the lesson and training item.

11

Select    on the toolbar.

Result: The lesson information form is displayed and the newly created lesson is attached to a training item.

 

How to Create Content for the Lesson

Follow the steps provided below to create content for the lesson through the lesson Layout Editor.

Step

Action

1

Select Layout on the toolbar from the Details tab for the lesson.

Result: The lesson Layout Editor displays with three default topics: Objectives, Topic 1 and Conclusion.

2

Select on the toolbar.

Result: The Lesson Information form will display on the left side of the screen with all available fields to complete and Training Item form will display on the right side of the screen.

3

Select the first topic, Objectives.

4

To rename the topic, select Topic: Rename on the Action toolbar and enter a new name.

5

Select Cell: Add on the Action toolbar to add cells to the topic and complete the configuration for the cell.

Result: The Create Cell Wizard (Add Cell) window is displayed with default cell title.

Note: Cells can be added below either the highlighted topic (creating a new first cell) or the highlighted cell within the topic (adding cells below existing cells).

Reference:How to Add Display Cells, How to Add Question Cells, and How to Add Remediation Cells for detailed instructions.

6

To add cells to another topic that already exists, select the desired topic and go to step 4.

7

To add a new topic, select the topic above which you want to add the new topic and select Topic: New.

Result: An Add Topic window will display.

8

Enter a name in the Topic Name field and select Add Topic.

Result: The new topic will be added below the highlighted topic.

Reference:How to Add Display Cells, How to Add Question Cells, and How to Add Remediation Cells for detailed instructions

9

Once all topics and cells have been added to the lesson, close the lesson Layout Editor.

10

Select    on the toolbar to view and test the lesson layout.

Best Practice: Answer any inserted question cells incorrectly to thoroughly test the lesson layout.

 

How to Add Display Cells

Follow the steps provided below to add display cells to a topic. A display cell is used to present learning content such as text, graphics, audio, video, flash or any combination thereof.

Step

Action

1

Select Cell: Add on the Action toolbar to add cells to the topic.

Result: The Create Cell Wizard (Add Cell window) is displayed with default cell title.

Note: Cells can be added below either the highlighted topic (creating a new first cell) or the highlighted cell within the topic (adding cells below existing cells).

2

Enter a new Cell Title that is relevant to the cell's content.

Note: The cell title is displayed to the learner when they view the lesson map.

3

Select Display Cell from the Cell Type drop-down menu.

4

To add an audio file for the cell content, select Choose File and navigate to the file location on the local network.

5

Select Next when finished to add the content for the display cell.

Result: The Cell Content window is displayed.

6

To add any text that needs to be displayed, start typing where it says Enter cell content here. Once the text is added, highlight the text and use the toolbar to edit the texts style, color, and size.

7

Select Paste HTML.

Result: The HTML editor opens to paste the HTML content.

8

Enter the text or media into the page to be display as the cell content. Use the various toolbars to format text and insert images.

Note: Hovering over a toolbar button with the mouse will display the button's function.

11

After reviewing the cell content in the Add Cell window, select Finish to complete adding the cell to the topic.

12

Select the Preview tab to preview the cell. To make any changes, select the Content tab (which also provides the option to re-import HTML).

 

How to Add Question Cells

Follow the steps provided below to add question cells to a topic. Questions cells can be Used to confirm the learner's understanding after topic has been presented. Authors can choose from a variety of different question types and can use some or all of the question cells as part of a final test for the lesson. If a final test will be created for the lesson but do not want the question cells to be part of the lesson, it is recommended to still insert the questions as cell in the lesson (while content is fresh on the mind). Authors can also add to versions of the same question, one for the lesson and one for the test.

Step

Action

1

Select Cell: Add on the Action toolbar to add cells to the topic.

Result: The Create Cell Wizard (Add Cell window) is displayed with default cell title.

Note: Cells can be added below either the highlighted topic (creating a new first cell) or the highlighted cell within the topic (adding cells below existing cells).

2

Enter a new Cell Title that is relevant to the cell's content.

Note: The cell title is displayed to the learner when they view the lesson map.

3

Select Question Cell from the Cell Type drop-down menu.

Result: The Question Type field is displayed.

4

Select the Question Type from the drop-down menu.

Reference: Question Cell Types

5

To add an audio file for the cell content, select Choose File and navigate to the file location on the local network.

6

Select Next when finished selecting the cell type and uploading any necessary files.

Result: The Cell Content window is displayed.

7

Enter and configure the cell content by using one of the methods below.

A) To maintain the same style as the lesson style and only use the test of a question, type the question into the Cell Content window. This is the recommended method for configuring the question cell content. The question will be automatically formatted in the same style as the lesson style.

B) To enter an image or add formatting to the question, such as special font or font color, use the Toolbar once the content is added in the free text section.

8

Select Next when finished to add the content for the question cell.

Result: The answer window is displayed.

9

Enter the answer choices and Indicate the Correct Answers(s) then select Next.

Note: Essay questions are graded manually, therefore, no answer choices are displayed.

10

Enter the points for the question and choose where to display the question (Course Only, Test Only, or Both Course and Test (default)). It is optional to enter a Right cell message and a Wrong cell message for learners to receive when answering the question.

Notes: Question points apply only if author creates a test by extracting questions from the lesson and the test will use grade on points grading system (not common).

Multiple Choice with Essay and Essay question types can only be displayed in a test.

Right cell message and wrong cell message will not apply if the question cell is attached to a remediation cell.

11

Select Finish to complete adding the cell to the topic.

12

Select the Preview tab to preview the cell. To make any changes, select the Content tab (which also provides the option to re-import HTML).

 

How Create a Remediation Cell by Copying a Display Cell

Follow the steps provided below to copy an existing display cell to create a remediation cell. A question cell must be created before a remediation cell can be created. Each question cell can only have on remediation cell. The most common and easiest way to create a remediation cell is to copy the display cell that contains the answer to the question and change the formatting to highlight the answer.

Step

Action

1

Select the display cell to copy for the remediation cell.

2

Select Cell: Copy from the Action toolbar then select OK in the confirmation dialog box.

3

Select the cell above where the remediation cell should go and select Cell: Paste. It is recommended to place the remediation cell below the question cell that the remediation cell is being created for.

Result: The Properties tab is displayed for the new cell.

4

Select Remediation Cell from the Cell Type drop-down menu.

5

Select the Question Cell for the remediation cell from the Current Cell is a Remediation Cell for: drop-down menu.

Note: Select the ellipses to confirm that the right question cell is selected.

6

Select Update to save the configuration.

Result: The cell icon on the left will change from D to R.

7

Select the Content tab.

8

Edit or reformat the cell content.

Best Practice:  It is recommended to highlight the correct answer in yellow.

9

Select Update to save the changes.

10

Select the Preview tab to preview the cell. To make any changes, select the Content tab.

 

How to Create a Remediation Cell From Scratch

Follow these steps to enter a remediation cell from scratch. If you do not want to create a remediation cell for a question in your lesson, you can enter right cell message and wrong cell message.

Step

Action

1

If you have an audio file for the cell content, select Choose File to select it.

2

Select Next.

Result: The cell content window is displayed.

3

Type or copy and paste, text and media into the free text box. Use the toolbar to format the text and insert images.

Note: If you hover your mouse over a toolbar button, the button’s function is displayed.

4

If you want to use HTML formatting to insert your information, click on Paste HTML.

5

Select Finish.

6

Select the Preview tab to preview the cell. If you want to make changes, click on the Content tab .

 

How to Attach Exhibits to a Lesson

Follow these steps to attach exhibits to a lesson.

Step

Action

1

Select on the Exhibits tab on the lesson form.

2

Select .

3

Enter the Title of the exhibit.

Note: The title is displayed at the bottom of each lesson cell.

4

Select Choose File and browse to your exhibit. Make sure the exhibit file complies with the rules for launched network content.

5

Select .

Result: The exhibit is listed on the left with the URL displayed on the right.

6

Repeat steps 2 through 5 until you have added all the exhibits.

 

How to Create a Test From a Lesson

You can create a test one of these two ways:

  1. If you added question cells to the lesson, you can click Create Test on the lesson layout action toolbar to automatically extract selected question cells and create a test. The test is attached to the same training item as the lesson, and has the same topics as the lesson. Result: Questions marked display in test only or display in both course and test are extracted and populated under the same topics as the lesson. You will see the new test in the system menu Author > Tests.
  2. If the lesson does not have question cells, or you wish to create a new test with altogether different questions.

 

How to Create a new lesson by Copying an Existing Lesson

You can copy any lesson that you see in your Author > Lessons menu. It contains all of your division's lessons, including lessons from other authors in your division. It also contains shared lessons from other divisions in your company and public library.

Browse the company and public libraries. If you see a course in a library that is close enough to the content you are developing, it is easier to copy it rather than creating a new lesson from scratch. Not all lessons in the libraries may be shared. So if you see a course in a library but do not see it listed in your lessons, launch the course from the library. Training launcher will show you the name of the person or company that you can contact and request for it to be shared.

Step

Action

1

Select Author > Lessons > (Organization level, if shown) from the system menu.

2

If you have access to multiple divisions or companies, select the division or company where you want to create the lesson.

3

Find and click on the title of lesson you want to copy.

4

Select Copy.

Result: A form, created from the copied lesson, is displayed with the lesson section on the left side and the training item section on the right side. All applicable fields are copied automatically from the original lesson.

5

Lesson Title, Lesson Code, Training Item Title and Training Item Code are filled-in automatically as "Copy of" the original lesson and training item. Replace "Copy of" with your division or site name to make these fields recognizable.

Note: If you are copying a lesson to attach to an existing training item, click Existing, enter the search criteria, using % as a wildcard, if necessary. Select  and select the training item from the list.

6

Enter Subject Area Code by clicking on   button and selecting one.

7

Edit any other fields on the form, explained above when you create a new lesson.

8

Select .

Result: The lesson form is displayed for the copied lesson.

9

The lesson just created contains same cells as the original lesson. You can now edit the desired cells to match your requirements.

 

How to Edit a Lesson

Follow these steps to edit a lesson.

Step

Action

1

Select Author > Lessons > (Organization level, if shown) from the system menu.

2

If you have access to multiple divisions or companies, select the division or company where the lesson you want to edit is located.

3

Find and click on the title of lesson you want to edit.

4

To edit any of the fields on the lesson form, edit them and select .

5

Select .

6

Use this table to edit the lesson.

If you want to...

Then...

replace a word or phrase

  1. Select the entire lesson, a topic or a cell.

  2. Click General: Replace

move a cell to a different topic

  1. Click on the cell you want to move.

  2. Click Cell: Cut

  3. Click on the cell below which you want to move the cell.

  4. Click Cell: Paste

rearrange cells within or between topics

You can move a cell one by one, as outlined above, or use the click and drag functionality if you have a large number of cells to move. This is also useful if you create a new topic and want to move several existing cells into the new topic.

  1. Click on the cell you wish to move.

  2. Once the cell is highlighted, click and drag to where you want the cell to be placed.

Result: An outlined box will display once the cell is dragged, use the outlined box as guide to see where you want the cell to be placed.

add a new cell to the lesson

  1. Click on the cell below which you want the new cell to go.

  2. Click Cell: Add

create a new cell by copying an existing cell

  1. Click on the cell you want to copy.

  2. Click Cell: Copy

  3. Click on the cell below which you want the new cell to go.

  4. Click Cell: Paste

delete a cell

  1. Select the cell.

  2. Click Cell: Delete

delete a topic (deletes all cells in the topic)

  1. Select the topic.

  2. Click Topic: Delete

edit any of the cells in the lesson

see How to Edit Cells instructions.

7

Close the Lesson Layout and click Preview on the lesson form to test the changes.

 

How to Edit Cells

Follow these steps to edit cells within a lesson.

Step

Action

1

Select the cell to edit.

Result: The properties for that cell are displayed.

2

To change any of the fields on the properties tab, change them and click Update.

3

Select the Content tab.

4

Type, or copy and paste, text into the page. Use the toolbars to format the text and insert images.

Note: Hover the mouse over a toolbar button, the button's function is displayed.

5

Select Update.

6

Select the Preview tab to see the new content.