What are the activity options in a topic?

FEATURE DEPRECATION NOTICE

We are phasing out the Activity module feature. It is no longer possible to enable an Activity module in a topic and, in March 2025, previously configured Activity modules will be disabled from topics.

For more information, including tips and suggestions for replacing existing Activity modules, please refer to the FAQs section below.

To enhance the effectiveness of your training and help learners solidify the skills and expertise they’ve gained, we recommend incorporating on-the-job activities into topics.

These activities encourage learners to apply what they’ve learned by completing tasks related to the material, such as testing new skills, developing tools or processes, or completing offline assignments. This hands-on approach fosters deeper understanding and retention of knowledge.

The practical component of a topic may be included within a part or as a standalone part. Refer to the steps below for some guidelines of how to incorporate this kind of learning into your topics.

Creating an activity

Title: Give the part (or section within a part) a title that reflects what the activity is. We recommend using a verb and making this a short instruction so that learners can quickly get the broad idea of the activity. For example, 'Make 10 new phone calls' or 'Create a new letter for a client'.
Description: Use the Task element to clearly outline the activity and specify what is expected of learners to complete it. Be clear. Explain exactly what you want learners to do and relate the activity back to the content of the topic. For example, 'See Part 4 for examples.'. In your description, you may also include details of how soon you expect learners to have completed the activity (for example, 'Complete this task within one week.'). You may also indicate how long the activity is expected to take (for example, 'This should take 2 hours.').
Practical application: Optionally enhance your activity using the following opportunities for practical application:
- Supporting materials: Use the Download element to provide a file for learners to download. This may be a template, cheat sheet, workbook, related documentation, case study, written assessment, or another resource for learners to review or use while completing the activity.
- Group/in person sessions: Use the Event element to incorporate a real-time event for learners to attend. This may be a workshop, simulation, hackathon, field trip or other event providing opportunity for the practical application of your topic’s content.
- Written responses: Use the Q&A element to invite learners to respond in their own words to a question or statement related to the practical training. Responses can vary in length based on a character limit you set (min. 100, max. 5,000), allowing for either concise answers or more detailed essays.
- File upload: Use the Upload element to enable learners to upload a file as part of the activity. This may be a document, video, image, presentation, certificate, and so on.
- Final introspection: Use the Reflect element to encourage learners to write and share their reflections on what they’ve learned during the activity, promoting deeper understanding and personal growth. You may choose to use one of the default questions provided by the element or write your own. A few ideas include:
  - As I completed this activity, I discovered/learned/decided...
  - My result/answer/outcome for this activity was...
  - My main challenge/key success from this activity was...
Requirement and progress settings: Each of the elements listed above can be set as optional or mandatory. For all elements except Download and Reflect, you can specify whether the learner's contribution, response, or attendance requires assessment. Additionally, you can determine if learners must complete the activity before progressing further in the topic, and if they can finish the topic without completing it.

Important! If you are updating a topic that has already been published, you will need to publish a new version of the topic for the new content to appear for learners.

Activity module FAQs

Why was the Activity module deprecated?

The Activity module, which was previously configurable through the Navigation settings of a topic, was developed before the introduction of several key activity-based elements such as Q&As and Uploads.

Since then, our platform has significantly expanded its array of elements designed for practical skill application, enabling course creators to incorporate a wide range of engaging activities directly within a topic's parts.

These elements offer greater versatility and, in some cases, the option for assessment, making them a superior option to the more limited (and now deprecated) Activity module.

The decision to deprecate the Activity module and encourage its replacement with activities directly within a topic aims to empower course creators to develop more enriched and seamless learning experiences.

How can I update topics currently using the Activity module to still incorporate activities?

For topics already using the Activity module feature, we recommend disabling it via the Navigation page settings and updating your topic to include content within your topic that serves as a replacement for the Activity module.

Note: All Activity modules will be disabled from topics in March 2025. We therefore recommend replacing them prior to this date.

Follow these steps to recreate your activity:

Add a new part to your topic and name it using the Activity module’s title or, for a series of activities, call the part something along the lines of ‘Activities’ or ‘Practical application’, then use section breaks for each individual activity.
Note: Alternatively, you could include your activity within an existing part by creating a new section and naming it using the Activity module's title. This option would work best to replace a single Activity module (or perhaps no more than two) rather than a series of Activity modules.
Use a Task element to provide the instructions for the activity.
Use a Download element if your Activity module includes a file for learners to download and use as part of the activity.
Use an Upload element if your Activity module requires learners to submit a file as part of the process.
Use a Reflect element if your Activity module currently invites learners to write and share their feedback on what they learned doing the activity.
Repeat these steps to configure subsequent activities ensuring you manage your progress settings to prevent learners from progressing to the next section before each prior activity is complete.

In addition to the options mentioned above, you may also choose to include elements such as Q&As and Events in your activities which provide learners with further opportunities for the practical application of their learning.

Note: While you can't set a specific due date or reminder notifications for individual activities, you can manage the due date setting of your topic with the activity in mind. By establishing a due date for the topic, you can also enable reminder notifications to prompt learners who are approaching or have missed the due date to complete the training.