Working with Pathway Steps (popular steps)
How to use a Comment Step
The Comment step is used to display information to the user. When the user has viewed the step, it is seen as completed.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Comment hyperlink. The Comment Detail screen will open.
Comment Detail
Comment steps are often used to give a welcome message or specific information at certain points in the pathway. No interaction from the learner’s side is possible except to view the step information.
Focus: To quickly create a Comment Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding a Comment step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Reference Description | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Description | Provide information which will add value for the learner. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in the pathway. |
Comment step for the learner
The image below shows an example of an Comment step previewed as a user.
When the user opens the step, it is marked as viewed.
How to use a Document (Download) Step
The Document step lets the learner download a document uploaded to the Pathway by an administrator. Examples of documents used for this step include terms and conditions, reading material, manuals, user guides, SOP, etc. The user is expected to download the document to complete the step.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Document (Download) hyperlink. The Document Detail screen will open.
Document Detail
Focus: To quickly create an Document Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding an Document step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Reference Description | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| File Name | Choose the file you want the learner to download. |
| Description | A more detailed description of why the learner must download the document. |
| Allow Not Logged In Download | Allows a learner who is not logged into the system, to download the document via the link they receive by SMS or email. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in the pathway. |
Document Step for the learner
The image below shows an example of a Document (Download) step previewed as a user.
When the user opens the Document step, the date and time the document was downloaded are recorded against the Pathway step details for that learner.
Try It Out: Click on the Document (Download) item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use an Acceptance Step
The Acceptance step is used to display a message with information to the user. The user is then required to accept a statement in order to complete the step.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Acceptance hyperlink. The Acceptance Detail screen will open.
Acceptance Detail
Focus: To quickly create an Acceptance Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding an Acceptance step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Reference Description | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Acceptance Title | The phrase displayed next to the checkbox. This is the sentence or phrase the learner must accept. |
| Description | A more detailed description of why the learner must accept the step and what the impact is if they do not accept. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in this pathway. |
| Log to Learner Record | When this checkbox is selected, the step can be logged to the learner record of a learner. This will serve as proof that the learner accepted the Pathway step. When this checkbox is selected, the option will become available to select a Training Intervention against which the learner record will be logged. |
Acceptance Step for the learner
The image below shows an example of an Acceptance step previewed as a user.
The moment a learner ticks the acceptance check box below, the user is asked to confirm that the acceptance will be permanent. Once the acceptance is confirmed, the acceptance tick box below will not be editable anymore.
Try It out: Click on the Acceptance item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use an Online Assessment Step
The Online Assessment step is used to link an assessment to a pathway. This assessment is created in the Assessment Builder. The assessment guides the user through a structured set of questions. The user is expected to answer the questions one-by-one. An assessment is sometimes used to gauge a user’s knowledge after downloading and studying material from a previous Pathway step.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Assessment (Online) hyperlink. The Assessment Detail screen will open.
Assessment Detail
Focus: To quickly create an Online Assessment, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding an Online Assessment step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Assessment | On other pathway steps this is called the Reference Description. The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Description | A more detailed description of what the learner can expect in the assessment as well as what the outcome means. |
| Reset all employee assessment attempts | Resets all previous assessment attempts made on this Assessment step. All assessments across all pathways will be reset. The number of attempts set on the assessment itself, will be available to the user again. |
There is no Log to Learner Record option when creating an Online Assessment Pathway step.
For Online Assessments, this value is set on the Assessment itself in the Assessment Builder module.
Online Assessment Step for a learner
The image below shows an example of an Online Assessment step previewed as a user.
Try It Out: Click on the Assessment (Online) item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use a SCORM Step
A Sharable Content Object Reference Model is a collection of standards and specifications for web-based e-learning. It defines communications between client-side content and a host system called the run-time environment, which is commonly supported by a learning management system. SCORM also defines how content may be packaged into a transferable ZIP file called "Package Interchange Format.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the SCORM / xAPI hyperlink. The SCORM Detail screen will open.
SCORM Detail
Focus: To quickly create a SCORM Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway and the window will close.
Overview of fields
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Step Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Description Header | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Description | A more detailed description of what the learner can expect in the SCORM content. |
| Course | Select the course from the SCORM library. |
| Preview | Click on the Preview button to preview the selected SCORM content . |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in this pathway. |
There is no Log to Learner Record option when creating a SCORM Pathway step. For SCORM, this value is set on the SCORM content itself in the SCORM Library.
How do I add a SCORM file to the course list?
If you want to upload a SCORM package for the first time, refer to these articles for more information:
Add Content / Add a SCORM file to the library
Signify develops SCORM content in-house. For examples of content our team has created, you can navigate to our website: https://www.signify.co.za/elearning.html
SCORM Step for a learner
The image below shows an example of a SCORM step previewed as a user.
Try It Out: Click on the SCORM/xAPI item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create the pathway step.
How to work with the Assignment (Document upload) Step
The Assignment item is used to inform a user that he has to submit documentation (making up a portfolio of evidence) in support of his completion of a certain number of pathway steps.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Assignment (Upload Document) hyperlink. The Assignment Detail screen will open.
Assignment Detail
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding an Assignment step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| 1. Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| 2. Heading | On other pathway steps this is called the Reference Description. The heading displayed INSIDE the Pathway step. |
| 3. Description | A more detailed description of what the learner can expect in the assignment as well as what the outcome means. |
| 4. Log to Learner Record | Determines if the completion of this step is logged to a learner's training records.
Note: Only assignment documents linked to a learner record, can be assessed and moderated. |
Try It Out: Click on the Assignment step-item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
Assignment Step for a user/learner
Open the Assignment from the Pathway summary screen.
- The following functionality is available for learners to upload assignments or documents:
- Add: The learner can upload multiple documents as long as the step status is not ‘Submitted’ nor ‘Competent’. The Add button will be disabled when the pathway status is ‘Submitted’ or ‘Competent’.
- Delete: The Delete document option will be available when the document is not locked.
- Download: The learner can download a document to his PC. The downloaded document will be saved in the Downloads folder.
- Submit for Review: This button will only be enabled when one or more documents have been uploaded in the pathway step and the learner did not submit the documents for review.
- View Comments: Opens a feedback screen showing the comments made by assessors and moderators on the assignment step.
The image below shows an example of an Assignment step previewed as a learner.
How to Submit Assignment for Review
After the learner uploaded the POE and other documents it can be submitted for review by an Assessor.
The following actions will apply when the Submit for Review button is clicked by the learner:
- The following confirmation message will display: "You are about to submit your assignments for review. In doing so, you confirm that all your uploaded documents will be locked and cannot be deleted. You will also be prevented from uploading any additional documents until your assignments have been reviewed."
- After the learner confirms the submission of documents the following will happen:
- The documents uploaded on the step up to date will be locked.
- The Add and Submit for Review buttons are disabled.
- Once a document was locked by the Submit for Review option, it cannot be deleted by the learner unless the Learning Administrator or Assessor 'opens' the pathway step to the 'Re-submit', 'General Action Required' or 'Remedial' status.
- The pathway step status will be changed to SUBMITTED which locks the pathway step for further uploads/deletions by the learner. The pathway step can only be unlocked by an Assessor or Learning Administrator via the Assignment Control Panel.
- The learner record Completed Status is set to "Yes" and the Competent Status is set to "No".
- There is no restriction on downloading documents from the assignment pathway step for a learner.
The image below shows an example of an Assignment step after the Submit for Review button is clicked.
How to use a Movie Step
System Movies contain content intended to be watched by the learner to enrich their knowledge of a certain field or product.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Movie hyperlink. The Movie detail screen will open.
System Movie Detail screen
Focus: To quickly create a System Movie Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
To create a Movie file, read the The HTML Video Element article. When you click on the link it will open in a new page.
Options available when adding a System Movie
Choose File
To upload a new System Movie file, click on Choose File.
Select System Movie
A System Movie can be re-used in pathways. Once the System Movie file is uploaded, it is saved to a list of System Movies. The Select System Movie Tab, displays a list of System Movies uploaded on the LMS previously.
Overview of fields
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| System Movie File Path | Choose the Movie file you want to use. |
| Reference Description | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. The Reference Description of this step is the same as the name of the Movie file and cannot be edited. |
| Description | A more detailed description of what the learner can expect in the Movie file. |
| Startup Page | The filename of the Startup file of the Movie file. When adding a Movie Step for the first time, this field must be entered manually. It is good practice to name the startup file of yuor system movie startup.html |
| Local PC Path | This refers to a central location (e.g. a shared network drive) where the zipped file can be stored (in addition to being uploaded on the step itself) allowing users to access and run the file from there instead of the file being downloaded to their own computers before being able to run. |
| Interactive | Can be checked or unchecked. This option indicates whether the System Movie is interactive or not, but does not enable the movie to be interactive. This, to a degree, manages the expectations of the user with regards to the nature of the content. |
| Log to Learner Record | When this checkbox is selected, the step can be logged to the learner record of a learner. This will serve as proof that the user has completed requirements for the step. When this checkbox is selected, the option will become available to select a Training Intervention against which the learner record will be logged. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in this pathway. |
Startup File
The file the LMS will try to use as the startup file in the zipped folder is known as the Startup file. If, for example, a zipped folder containing 2 or 3 other files as well as an HTML page, is uploaded to the System Movie File Path, a startup page needs to be selected in order to indicate from what file the content will begin to display – which in this case will be the HTML file that will enable the rest of the videos/movies to run as required.
Movie Step for a learner
The image below shows an example of a Movie step previewed as a user.
Try It Out: Click on the movie item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use a Learning Guide Step
The Learning Guide item is used to make Learning Guides available to the learner. The learner is expected to download and review the documents in order to complete the pathway.
Documents displayed in this pathway element are distinguished from normal documents in that they originate from the Learning Guides module or library. They are therefore of a somewhat more permanent and controlled nature.
When a learner opens the Learning Guide step, a learner record is not created, but the document download date is captured.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Learning Guide hyperlink. The Learning Guide Detail screen will open.
Learning Guide Detail
Focus: To quickly create a Learning Guide Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
Below is an overview of fields used when adding a Learning Guide step.
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Reference Description | Select the Learning Guide from the list of available Learning Guides. |
| Description | A more detailed description of why the learner must download the document. |
| Allow Not Logged In Download | Allows a learner who is not logged into the system, to download the document via the link they receive by SMS or email. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in the pathway. |
Learning Guide Step as a learner
The image below shows an example of a Learning Guide step previewed as a user.
When the user opens the Learning Guide step, the date and time the document was downloaded are recorded against the Pathway step details for that learner.
Try It Out: Click on the Learning Guides item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use an Invoice Step
The Invoice step is used where payment is required before a learner can continue with a pathway.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Invoice hyperlink. The Learning Guide Detail screen will open.
Invoice Detail
Focus: To quickly create an Invoice Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, the step will be added to the Pathway. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Reference Description | The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Invoice Title | This is the title of the invoice displayed to the user. It is recommended that the name of the pathway is used for this. |
| Description | Provide information which will add value for the learner. |
| Amount (excl VAT) | The total cost of the pathway/course. |
| VAT Percentage | The percentage of VAT added to the total cost of the course. The VAT Percentage value cannot be edited on the Invoice Detail screen. The value is fixed at 15%. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in the pathway. |
Invoice Step as a Learner
The image below shows an example of an Invoice Step previewed as a learner.
Complete the Invoice Details
View the invoice details and download the Invoice
When the invoice details are saved by the learner, the details are fixed and cannot be edited again. The learner can click on the Print Invoice button to print a copy of the invoice.
The invoice step WILL NOT prevent the learner from proceeding to the next step. To prevent the learner from moving on to the next step(s) in the pathway, add the invoice step as a prerequisite. Read more on How to create Prerequisites for a Pathway Step
How the Invoice Step works
The learner can complete the details of the person to who the invoice is made out to. Information such as the address, contact detail, purchase order voucher and their company’s VAT registration number (if relevant) must be supplied. After the information is saved, the tax invoice will be displayed.
The following actions must take place before the invoice will be seen as paid in the system:
- The learner can print the invoice and is expected to make payment as arranged.
- Once paid, the learner has to inform the pathway administrator of his payment after which the administrator will trace and confirm the payment and mark the invoice as paid. For more information read the following article: Maintain User Invoice
- If subsequent pathway steps had a payment of the invoice as a prerequisite, these steps will then become available and the learner can continue with his pathway.
Try It Out: Click on the Invoice item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.
How to use a Certification Point Step
The Certification Point item is used to do the following:
- To convey messages to the learner for example The learner has successfully completed the pathway.
- Create a learner record if there are prerequisites loaded on this step.
No interaction from the learner’s side is possible except to take note of what is being communicated.
Pathway Toolbox
From the Toolbox, click on the Certification Point hyperlink. The Certification Point detail screen will open.
Certification Point Detail
Certification Point steps are often used to either indicate a milestone in their learning journey or to indicate that the learner has completed the requirements for the course.
Focus: To quickly create a Certification Point Step, complete only the numbered fields.
After you click the Save button, a prompt will be displayed asking if you want to maintain Prerequisites.
Click on the Yes button to proceed.
Read the article Add a Prerequisite for steps on adding Prerequisites to a Pathway step. When you click on the link a new tab will be opened containing the article.
After you added the Prerequisite, click the Close button to return to the Certification Point Detail screen. Click the Close button to return to the Pathway.
Overview of fields
| Field | Overview |
|---|---|
| Custom Main Header | This value is displayed at the top of the Pathway step. Use a verb to communicate simple and clear instructions to the Learner. |
| Certification Point | On other pathway steps this is called the Reference Description. The heading displayed inside the Pathway step. |
| Description | A more detailed description of why what the learner has achieved and why they have reached the certification point. |
| Lock Pathway Step | When this checkbox is selected, the Pathway step is not available to the learner, but it remains in the pathway. |
| Log to Learner Record | When this checkbox is selected, the step can be logged to the learner record of a learner. This will serve as proof that the learner met all requirements for the Certification Point. When this checkbox is selected, the option will become available to select a Training Intervention against which the learner record will be logged. |
Log to Learner Record Explained
In order to keep a learner record which will be displayed on the Training History report, Log to Learner Record must be checked.
Options available to Log to Learner Record:
Training Intervention
- Only Certification Point Training Interventions are available for selection.
- The name of the Training Intervention will become the Title of the Learner Record.
Unit Standard
- If this is an Ad Hoc Pathway all Unit Standards will be available for selection.
- If this is a Standard Pathway, only the Standard selected for the Pathway will be available for selection.
Certification Point Step for a learner
The first time the user views the step
The image below is an example of a Certification Point step previewed as a learner when the Prerequisites have not been met.
The step after Prerequisites have been met
Click here for more information on How to allow the Learner to download a certificate from a pathway step
Try It Out: Click on the Certification Point item in the Toolbox and complete the required details to create a Pathway step.