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Sections and Resources

This guide covers how to organize your course content into sections and add various types of learning resources in NOW-LMS.

Course Structure Overview

Courses in NOW-LMS are organized hierarchically:

Course
├── Section 1
│   ├── Resource 1 (Video)
│   ├── Resource 2 (PDF)
│   └── Resource 3 (Quiz)
├── Section 2
│   ├── Resource 1 (Audio)
│   ├── Resource 2 (Text)
│   └── Resource 3 (Slideshow)
└── Section 3
    ├── Resource 1 (Meeting)
    ├── Resource 2 (Image)
    └── Resource 3 (HTML)

Managing Course Sections

Creating Sections

Sections help organize your course content into logical modules or chapters.

Section Properties

  • Name: Clear, descriptive section title
  • Description: Brief overview of section content
  • Order: Sequential position in course
  • Visibility: Public or hidden from students
  • Prerequisites: Require completion of previous sections

Section Best Practices

  1. Logical Grouping: Group related concepts together
  2. Progressive Difficulty: Start simple, increase complexity
  3. Balanced Length: Aim for 3-7 resources per section
  4. Clear Objectives: Define what students will learn

Section Configuration

Visibility Settings

Public: True/False
- Public: Visible to enrolled students - Hidden: Instructor-only visibility (for preparation)

Prerequisites

  • Require completion of specific sections
  • Ensure sequential learning progression
  • Prevent students from skipping ahead

Resource Types

NOW-LMS supports eight different resource types to create diverse learning experiences:

1. YouTube Videos

Embed YouTube videos directly into your course content.

Configuration

  • YouTube URL: Full video URL or video ID
  • Start Time: Optional timestamp to begin playback
  • Player Options: Autoplay, controls, privacy settings

Best Practices

  • Use high-quality, relevant videos
  • Provide transcripts when possible
  • Include discussion questions after videos
  • Check video availability and permissions

Example Usage

Resource Type: Video
Source: YouTube
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID
Description: Introduction to the main concepts

2. PDF Files

Upload and share PDF documents with your students.

Supported Features

  • File Upload: Direct PDF upload to platform
  • Download Control: Allow/restrict downloading
  • Inline Viewing: PDFs display within the course
  • Search Integration: Text content becomes searchable

File Requirements

  • Maximum file size: 50MB (configurable)
  • Supported format: PDF only
  • Recommended: Optimized for web viewing

Best Practices

  • Optimize PDFs for web viewing
  • Include bookmarks for navigation
  • Ensure text is selectable (not image-based)
  • Provide alternative formats for accessibility

3. Audio Files

Add audio content like lectures, podcasts, or music.

Supported Formats

  • MP3 (recommended)
  • WAV
  • OGG
  • M4A

Features

  • Built-in Player: Audio controls within course
  • Progress Tracking: Monitor student listening progress
  • Download Options: Allow/restrict audio downloads
  • Transcripts: Optional text transcriptions

Best Practices

  • Use clear, high-quality audio
  • Keep files reasonably sized (under 100MB)
  • Provide transcripts for accessibility
  • Include chapter markers for long recordings

4. Images

Visual content to support learning objectives.

Supported Formats

  • JPEG/JPG
  • PNG
  • GIF
  • SVG
  • WebP

Features

  • Responsive Display: Automatic sizing for different devices
  • Zoom Functionality: Click to enlarge images
  • Alt Text: Accessibility descriptions
  • Gallery Mode: Multiple images in sequence

Best Practices

  • Optimize images for web (reasonable file sizes)
  • Use descriptive alt text
  • Choose appropriate image formats
  • Ensure images support your learning objectives

5. Text Content

Rich text content with formatting options.

Formatting Features

  • Markdown Support: Rich formatting with Markdown syntax
  • HTML Support: Advanced formatting options
  • Link Integration: External and internal links
  • Code Syntax: Programming code highlighting

Content Types

  • Lesson text and explanations
  • Instructions and guidelines
  • Reading materials
  • Reference documentation

Best Practices

  • Use clear, concise language
  • Break text into digestible sections
  • Include headings and bullet points
  • Add relevant links and references

See the Markdown Formatting Guide for detailed syntax information.

6. HTML Content

Custom HTML for advanced content presentation.

Use Cases

  • Interactive demonstrations
  • Custom layouts and designs
  • Embedded third-party content
  • Advanced formatting needs

Features

  • Full HTML Support: Complete HTML/CSS/JavaScript
  • Responsive Design: Mobile-friendly content
  • External Resources: Link to CSS and JS files
  • Security: Sanitized to prevent malicious code

Best Practices

  • Test content on multiple devices
  • Ensure accessibility compliance
  • Use semantic HTML structure
  • Optimize for loading speed

7. Meeting Sessions

Schedule and manage live sessions with students.

Meeting Types

  • Video Conferences: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
  • Webinars: Large group presentations
  • Office Hours: One-on-one student meetings
  • Group Sessions: Small group discussions

Configuration

  • Meeting Platform: Choose video conferencing tool
  • Date and Time: Schedule with timezone support
  • Duration: Estimated session length
  • Access Links: Automatic link generation
  • Recording: Optional session recording

Features

  • Calendar Integration: Add to student calendars
  • Reminder Notifications: Email reminders before sessions
  • Attendance Tracking: Monitor student participation
  • Recording Access: Post-session video access

8. Slide Shows

Create interactive presentations within your course.

Slide Show Features

  • Custom Templates: Choose from available designs
  • Multi-slide Support: Create comprehensive presentations
  • Transition Effects: Smooth slide transitions
  • Navigation Controls: Student-controlled progression
  • Progress Tracking: Monitor slide completion

Slide Types

  • Title Slides: Course and section introductions
  • Content Slides: Main learning material
  • Quiz Slides: Interactive questions
  • Summary Slides: Key takeaway reviews

For detailed slideshow creation instructions, see Slideshow Setup Guide.

Resource Management

Adding Resources to Sections

  1. Navigate to Section: Open the target course section
  2. Add Resource: Click "Add New Resource"
  3. Select Type: Choose from the 8 resource types
  4. Configure Resource: Set up type-specific options
  5. Set Properties: Name, description, visibility
  6. Save and Test: Verify resource works correctly

Resource Properties

Common Properties

  • Name: Clear, descriptive title
  • Description: Brief explanation of resource purpose
  • Order: Position within section
  • Visibility: Public/hidden status
  • Prerequisites: Required prior completion

Advanced Properties

  • Downloadable: Allow students to download content
  • Mandatory: Required for section completion
  • Time Tracking: Monitor time spent on resource
  • Completion Criteria: Define when resource is "complete"

Progress Tracking

Student Progress

  • Resource Completion: Individual resource status
  • Section Progress: Overall section completion percentage
  • Course Progress: Total course advancement
  • Time Tracking: Time spent on each resource

Instructor Analytics

  • Engagement Metrics: Most/least popular resources
  • Completion Rates: Resource completion statistics
  • Time Analysis: Average time spent per resource
  • Student Performance: Individual and group progress

Content Organization Best Practices

Pedagogical Structure

Learning Progression

  1. Introduction: Course and section overview
  2. Core Content: Main learning materials
  3. Practice: Interactive exercises and quizzes
  4. Review: Summary and key takeaways
  5. Assessment: Evaluate understanding

Resource Sequencing

  • Start with overview materials (text/video)
  • Provide detailed content (PDFs, audio)
  • Include interactive elements (quizzes, discussions)
  • End with practice and assessment

Technical Considerations

File Management

  • Naming Convention: Use consistent, descriptive names
  • File Organization: Group related files logically
  • Size Optimization: Keep files reasonably sized
  • Format Standardization: Use consistent file formats

Performance Optimization

  • Optimize large files before uploading
  • Use progressive loading for video content
  • Implement caching for frequently accessed resources
  • Monitor resource loading times

Accessibility

Universal Design

  • Provide alternative formats for all media
  • Include captions for video content
  • Add transcripts for audio resources
  • Use descriptive link text and alt attributes

Mobile Compatibility

  • Test resources on mobile devices
  • Ensure responsive design for all content
  • Optimize file sizes for mobile connections
  • Consider mobile-specific navigation

Common Resource Issues

Upload Problems

  • File Size: Check maximum upload limits
  • Format Support: Verify file format compatibility
  • Permissions: Ensure proper upload permissions
  • Storage Space: Check available storage capacity

Playback Issues

  • Browser Compatibility: Test across different browsers
  • Plugin Requirements: Ensure necessary plugins are available
  • Network Issues: Consider connection speed requirements
  • Device Limitations: Test on various devices

Access Problems

  • Visibility Settings: Check resource visibility configuration
  • Prerequisites: Verify prerequisite completion
  • Enrollment Status: Confirm student enrollment
  • Technical Permissions: Check system access rights

Next Steps

Now that you understand resource management: - Markdown Formatting Guide - Learn rich text formatting - Slideshow Setup - Create interactive presentations - Certificate Customization - Configure completion rewards