URL Resource
The URL resource allows the instructor to add external internet sources to their course. It is possible to add media by embedding the URLs in the course page or to direct the student to the external web page by making the link clickable instead.
Table of Contents
Adding URLs
Instructors can add URLs to their course in order to give added resources to the students.
- Select Turn editing on.
- Click on the Add a resource pull-down list.
- Choose the URL tool.
- Under the General section, type the Name (required) of the URL into the text box.
- Type the Description (required) into the text box.
- Type the External URL in the text box.
Options - Choose the Display method for the URL.
- Automatic is the default selection. This method will choose the best way to display the web page.
- Embed will insert the URL content directly into the course pages.
- Open will make the web page open into the browser window.
- In pop up will make the web page open in a new browser window.
- Click Show advanced to set the width and height of the pop up window.
Note: This option is only available if the In pop-up display choice is selected. - Display URL name causes the input name to be shown in the page.
Note: This option is only allowed if the Automatic or Embed choices are selected. - Display URL description causes the input description to be shown on the page.
Note: This option is only allowed if the Automatic or Embed choices are selected. - Click Show advanced in the Parameters section to choose up to five parameter values to set for the new URL. Look below for greater description of the parameters.
- Restrict access allows the instructor to set a condition on the assignment until other assignment(s) are completed:
- Allow access from and Allow access until determine when students can access the activity via a link on the course page.
Note: The difference between access from/to dates and availability settings for the activity is that outside the set dates the latter allows students to view the activity description, whereas access from/to dates prevent access completely. - Grade condition determines any grade conditions which must be met in order to access the activity.
Note: Multiple grade conditions may be set if desired. If so, the activity will only allow access when ALL grade conditions are met. - Show activity greyed-out, with restriction information / Hide activity entirely determines how the activity displays before conditions have been met.
- Allow access from and Allow access until determine when students can access the activity via a link on the course page.
- Choose either Save and return to course or Save and display.
Adding media content
Instructors can display media content on their course that is found on the web. If the instructor can find the web address for the media content then they can use that URL as the resource to display.
- Select Turn editing on.
- Click on the Add a resource pull-down list.
- Choose the URL tool.
- Under the General section, type the Name (required) of the URL into the text box.
- Type the Description (required) into the text box.
- Type the External URL in the text box.
- Choose Embed as the Display option from the pull-down menu.
Options - Display URL name causes the input name to be shown in the page.
Note: This option is only allowed if the Automatic or Embed choices are selected. - Display URL description causes the input description to be shown on the page.
Note: This option is only allowed if the Automatic or Embed choices are selected. - Choose either Save and return to course or Save and display.
Managing URLs
Updating a URL
It is possible for the instructor to update the URL resource after it has been created. This allows the instructor to change any descriptions that have been included or, if needed, to fix broken links.
- Turn Editing On
- Click on the hand tool next to the URL that is going to be updated..
- Edit the features that need to be updated. Look above for more detail on the specific options for a URL.
- Choose either Save and return to course or Save and display.
URL permissions
The URL permissions are established by the system's administrator. The permissions are given to the various roles in order to grant them the ability to perform actions within the resource. The instructor can view these permissions with these steps:
- Turn Editing On
- Click on the hand tool next to the URL that is going to be checked.
- In the Settings block, click the Permissions to view all possible capabilities pertaining to a URL, and which roles have access to each capability. Alternatively, click the Check permissions button specifically view an a list of all enrolled individuals in the course.
- Click on the user's name to check and then click Show this user's permissions.
Note: Type the user's name into the search box in order to refine the display and more easily locate the intended user. - This page lists all of the various actions that are capable within the resource. The list will tell whether or not the user is capable of each action.