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LMS Basic Setup

Information About the Asynchronous Course

The Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning course will be delivered as a fully self-study, asynchronous experience. The course will be open for a set period of time and will be supervised by a CLN trainer.

Course Components

The asynchronous course should include the following components:

  • Units for sequential assignments
    Content is organized into units that learners work through in order.
  • Assignment submission
    Each unit may include an assignment that learners must complete and submit.
  • Quizzes to check for understanding
    Short quizzes can be used to confirm that key concepts are understood.
  • Discussion forum
    A space where participants can reflect, ask questions, and interact with one another and the trainer.
  • Events (optional)
    Optional drop-in sessions may be scheduled for live Q&A or additional support.

User Experience Considerations

When setting up the course, please consider the following:

  • Assignment completion options
    What different ways can assignments be completed and submitted (e.g., text entry, file upload, discussion post)?
  • Communication between participants and trainers
    What options are available for communication (e.g., discussion forums, messaging, email notifications)?
  • Progression rules
    How will progression work?
    — Option 1: Trainers approve assignments before participants move on to the next unit.
    — Option 2: Participants are allowed to progress through the content on their own, without approval.

Registration and Access

We are planning for the following registration and access model:

  • Once registered, participants will have access to the self-study course for a set period (for example, 8 weeks).
  • Once participants have completed the course, we want to close their access.
  • Course dates and deadlines will change for each new cohort.

Questions for LMS Setup

  • Can we run another cohort of the course without creating new units each time (for example, by reopening the registration form and adding new participants)?
  • Is there a way to manage changing start/end dates and deadlines for each cohort without significant background work (e.g., cloning courses, date offsets, or batch updates)?

How to Set Up the IAFL Asynchronous Course in Members Village (MV)

This guide explains how to configure the Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning (IAFL) self-study course using the MV Course Builder.

1. Course Details (Essentials Panel)

Label (Required)

Enter the course title:

Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning (IAFL)

Welcome Message (Required)

Suggested welcome text:

Welcome to the Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning (IAFL) course. 
This self-study program is open for a limited time and guided by a CLN trainer. 
Please work through each Unit in order and complete the assignments and discussions as instructed.

2. Course Options Panel

The following items should be configured to support the asynchronous structure of IAFL.

Summary

Add a description of the course, expectations, and pacing guidelines.

Certificate (Optional)

  • Toggle ON only if a certificate is required.
  • Upload a certificate background if needed.

Graphic

Upload the IAFL course banner.

Recommended size: 1600 × 400 px

Sequential Units

Turn ON sequential units.

This ensures participants complete Units in order.

Resources

Add optional files such as PDFs, links, or course references.

Access Group

Select the appropriate Access Group so only registered participants can view the course.

3. Adding Units (Course Sections)

  1. Click the graduation cap icon to open the course content area.
  2. Select Add Unit.
  3. Create one Unit for each IAFL module.
  4. Inside each Unit, add:
    • Overview/content text
    • Downloadable files (optional)
    • Assignments
    • Quizzes (optional)
    • Discussion prompts (optional)
  5. Use Unit Order to control the sequence.

4. Adding Assignments

MV supports several submission types:

  • Text entry
  • File upload
  • URL submission
  • Discussion post
  • Checkbox activity completion
  1. Click Add Assignment.
  2. Select the appropriate submission method.
  3. Choose Display in Unit to link it to the correct Unit.
  4. Set progression:
    • Require Approval (trainer reviews before learner advances)
    • Auto-Complete (learner progresses immediately)
  5. Publish the assignment.

5. Adding Quizzes (Optional)

  1. Select Add Quiz.
  2. Enter questions and answer options.
  3. Assign the quiz to the correct Unit.

6. Adding Discussion Forums

  1. Select Add Discussion.
  2. Choose:
    • Open Forum for general conversation
    • Unit Discussion for content-specific threads
  3. If discussion is required for an assignment, set the assignment to “Require Discussion Post.”

7. Optional: Adding Events (Drop-In Sessions)

  1. Select Add Event.
  2. Enter the event name, date, time, and Zoom link.
  3. Tag the event to the IAFL course.

8. Progression Rules

Option A — Trainer Approval Required

  • Turn ON “Require Instructor Approval” for assignments.
  • Participants wait for approval before advancing.

Option B — Self-Paced Progression

  • Leave approval OFF.
  • Participants continue through units automatically.

9. Registration and Access Window

Registration Process

  1. Participants register through an MV form.
  2. Admins add participants to the IAFL course under People → Add Participant.
  3. Participants receive the automated Welcome Email.

Access Window (8 weeks or custom)

Set availability under Course Settings → Availability:

  • Open Date
  • Close Date

Participants lose access automatically on the Close Date.

Running New Cohorts

  • Update the open/close dates.
  • Add new participants.
  • No need to recreate units or assignments.

If separate discussion or grading records are required, use Clone Course.

Published on December 3, 2025