Branch structures
Branch structures are series of Lesson activity pages that are often called "branches". Simple branches are used all the time by the average Moodle teacher. Perhaps the most common are those series of pages that are in effect defined by a table of content. The more complex we are calling classic branches.
We will be using notation where B1 stands for the 1st Branch Table page the teacher created, Q1 the 1st question page, EB1 the first End of Branch page. We will assume the reader has some knowledge of how Branch Tables and Lesson Question pages work.
Simple branches
Table of Content branches
In this example, a teacher has set up a table of content that jumps to 2 pages in the lesson and another to end the lesson.
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, End of Lesson
Where B1 is the table of contents. It has a button that jumps to B2 and another that jumps to B6. In this simple branch, B5 has one of its jumps set to return to B1 and the same is true for B10. All other pages simply go to the next page.
Internal redirection branches
In this example there are two simple branches. Here teacher realized that only a few students needed 3 pages of review. So the teacher moved those pages to the end of the logical order. Students were given a chance in B1 to select the reivew and the first question is a qualifing question to determine if the student will skip the review or jump to the review. The teacher found that most students who had trouble with the review, did not understand the material in the first two pages, so a formative question was added. All students were given the opportunity to take the review first.
B1, Q1, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B2, B3, Q2, B4, End of Lesson
For the sake of example, we will say that B10 is the end of the first simple branch and B4 is the end of the second simple branch.
Where B1 is the table of contents. It has a jump to Q1, B2 and End of Lesson. Q1 correct answers jump to B5, other answers jump to B2. Q2 correct answers jump to B4 and other answers jump back to B2. B4
As a best practice, B1 has a button to end the Lesson.
More simple branches
Several students asked for more information on this lesson topic. The teacher added another simple branch at the end of the lesson. This new simple branch started with it's own table of contents to direct the student to different areas of interest. This teacher favored using question pages to present content and found that students enjoyed answering a brief question, where they could earn some points (custom scoring was turned on).
B1, Q1, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B2, B3, Q2, B4, B11, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, End of Lesson
B11 is the teacher's table of content for the "Extra information" series of pages. There is a button that jumps to each of the questions. All question answers return to B11. B11 and B1 have jumps linked to each other.
Simple branch best practices
- Always give the student a way to exit the lesson
- Remember to put a link back to the table of contents at the end of a segment (often the page before the start of the next simple branch).
Classic branches
All classic branches exist because an End of Branch page is being used in the Lesson. Three new relative jumps are added for a teacher to select when an End of Branch is added to a Lesson and the teacher is not in a cluster. Classic branches effect the navigation order of pages for a student.
Note the caution that appears to the teacher when previewing a lesson. "An Unseen question within a cluster jump or an Unseen question within a branch jump is being used in this lesson. The Next Page jump will be used instead. Login as a student to test these jumps." While classic branches are beautiful things, the teacher must take great care in setting them up and making sure they work they way the teacher intends.
Key terms
- End of Branch page
- Jump types
- Unseen question within a branch
- Random question within a branch
- Random branch page
Unseen Questions within a classic branch
B1, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, EB1, B2
Random Questions within a classic branch
B1, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, EB1, B2
Random Branch pages within a classic branch
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, EB1, B10
Mixed pages within a classic branch
Not recommended B1, Q1, Q2, Q3, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, EB1, B10 B1, B2, B3, Q1, Q2, Q3, B4, B5, B6, B7, Q4, Q5, EB1, B8
