Lesson FAQ

Import PowerPoint does not work

"No data" or some other error shows up. Please read Import PowerPoint. Most common causes:

1. Complicated PowerPoint. Too many images, text boxes or fancy features.
2. Wrong version of PowerPoint
3. Site error - try the tested zip file at Tracker.Moodle.org

Jumps not working in a question

A wrong answer should go to "this page" in my lesson. But after the student answers it, the student goes to the next page.

• See adding/editing a lesson and Maximum Attempts in Lesson settings. If maximum attempt is set to 1, then the student will be advanced to the next page after they choice a wrong answer that is sent to "this page". If it is set to 2, after the student selects the wrong answer the 2nd time they will be sent to the next page. This can be used to keep the student out of an endless loop when than can not answer a question correctly.

Edits of answers or branch buttons are not saved

I have a 4 answer multiple choice question. I can only seem to save the first two answers, their jumps and feedback. Any edits on the last answers, their jumps and feedbacks are not saved. Moodle does not tell me there is anything wrong. Same thing happened with a Branch table, I can not seem to get the last two descriptions change after I save an edit. GRRRRR!

• Go back to your lesson settings. Maximum number of answers/branches is probably set to 2, change it to 4 or the maximum number of answers or branch descriptions in your lesson. Now the edits can be saved.

Tip: Changing the "Maximum number" as a teacher builds a lesson is a trick used to limit scrolling passed unused answers or branch choices to get to the save button. For example, 15 pages have 4 choices but one page will have 8 choices. The teacher will use "Maximum number" at 8 setting only when they initially create that page, then switch it back to 4. They (and their students) will always see all 8 answers but the lesson setting will prevent them from editing some of them.

What is the difference between a Branch and a Branch Table?

A Branch Table is like a Question page. However, a branch table can not be scored and a teacher can not give a response. Both pages have a content area, offer a student choices and these can lead to other pages (jumps).

Many Moodlers call a series of pages in their lesson "a branch". Usually the student will enter the series by jumping from a page that is not directly before the "branch". Thus, a student will "branch" off the lesson path from a missed question and visit a series of pages for review before they are returned to the main lesson path again.

Some Moodlers think of a Branch Table as an index page. Where each choice sends the student off on a branch. At the end of the series of pages (maybe just one), the student is sent back to the starting branch table. This process is sometimes called a classic branch.

Confused yet? :) Maybe Branch structures will help.

Multiple Choice and Multianswer issues

When I check the multianswer box in a multiple choice question, it does not work. It makes random jumps and does not put the teacher's response with the students choice.

• In a Lesson module multianswer question, all the correct choices must have the same jump and teacher response. All the wrong choices must also have the same jump and teacher response.

Are there some examples of Lessons I can see?

Lesson samples is one place to look

The lesson was completed but it does not record it

Every lesson must have one question.

• Tip: There are lots of creative ways to put in a question, such as setting a multiple choice question so that all answers are correct and the answers act like a branch table. Or put in content and then award 1 point for "next page" as the answer, do not include the score in grades.

How to add sound to a lesson page

There are some detailed instructions and options on linking to sound files. *Here is the best place to look.

• Audio in Moodle has an overview and tool recommendations.

Can I turn off the answer shuffle in a lesson?

In short, no. Turning off the page and answer shuffle are Quiz options, but neither is found in Lesson. A minor hack to the Lesson code is possible but that would impact the entire Moodle site.

• TIP: If you don't need to score students answers in a question, then consider using a branch table instead of a Multiple Choice or a True/False question.

Dependency in Lesson does not work

For dependency to work, you need to have at least 1 question page in the lesson. The student may not need a minimum score, but Lesson needs to know that the student tried a question. You can always put a question as the first or last page, You don't need to ask a question but do put in an answer of "continue" with a jump of the next page.

Also for dependency to work, the lesson can not be a practice lesson.

How can I change the default for Arrange Branch buttons horizontally?

I used to know, now I am clueless. Just imported 200 slides and the box is checked on every one. How can I change the default?

Can I change standard words used by Lesson?

Yes. You or your site administrator can edit the language file called Lesson.php. This will impact the whole site. Your site administrator might create a language just for you, in Lesson settings use the force language option.

See also

• Using Moodle Lesson module forum