Collapsed Topics course format

The Collapsed Topics course format is a contributed code module. The format is similar to the standard Topics format except that all topics (except '0') can be 'toggled' on and off. This reduces clutter in courses that have a large number of topics, lots of content in the topics or a combination of the two.

Download

You can download the format from the Modules and Plugins Database or by clicking on the links below if the database is unavailable. Full installation instructions are in the included 'Readme.txt' file.

Download Links

Collapsed Topics for Moodle 2.1

Collapsed Topics for Moodle 2.0

Collapsed Topics for Moodle 1.9

Collapsed Topics for Moodle 1.8

Usage

Selecting

To select the format, simply choose it from the list of course formats in the course settings. To show / hide a topic just click on its toggle.

Course Format

Setting the Toggle Text

The toggle text is set by editing the section description (Course_sections#Editing_sections). As shown below...

For Moodle 1.8 and 1.9 just type in the editor box...

For Moodle 2.0, tick off 'Use default section name' and type in the 'Section name' box. This allows the summary to be shown as it normally is in the Topics course format (Course_homepage#Topic_format_example). Template:Moodle 2.0

Toggle State

When refreshing the page, the state of the 'toggles' is remembered. This is on a per browser session per course basis for as long as the browser remains open. If you would like it to persist longer, please follow the instructions in the included 'Readme.txt' file.

Changing the look

Formatting

Most of the formatting is contained within the file 'topics_collapsed.css' which is fully commented to facilitate easy manipulation of specific elements. For example, if you found that in your particular web browser the 'Topic x ' text was too big...

Then you can add an addtional 'font-size:0.6em;' to the 'tr.cps td.cps_centre' class.

Per Theme Changes

You can set a different look globally or on a per theme basis by changing the following css in 'collapsed_topics.css'. Non-standard colours used to illustrate the point.

If you want a per theme look for when you allow your users to choose their own theme, move the css shown and place in your theme's css files and change as desired.

The Arrow

If you want to change the look and style of the arrow, simply change 'arrow_down.png' and 'arrow_up.png'.

FAQ

Q. How do I report an issue with Collapsed Topics?

A. Raise an issue on Moodle Tracker or post a discussion on the Moodle Course Formats Forum

Q. Is Collapsed Topics Moodle 2.0 compatible?

A. Yes. It incorporates a change where the section name of the topic summary is used instead of the summary itself to form the words on the toggle.

Credits

Collapsed Topics has been developed by and is maintained by Gareth Barnard with invaluable input from:

• Anthony Borrow
• Frank Ralf, Matt Gibson, Howard Miller and Tim Hunt who commented on the Developer Forum
• Craig Grannell - Snub Communications who wrote the article 'Collapsed Tables' in .Net Magazine Issue 186

See also

• Collapsed Topics is the Modules and plugins database page for downloads and more information on this module. There are versions for Moodle 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0.
• Discussions: please create or find a discussion topic in the Moodle Course Formats Forum
• Bugs can be reported on Moodle Tracker
• Collapsed Weeks course format is a similar contributed code module.