Open edX LMS Guide

Overview

The Open edX Learning Management System (LMS) is the platform where learners access course content, complete assessments, and interact with the community. It is designed to be a fast, responsive environment that supports a wide variety of learning activities, from video lectures to complex graded problems.

Core Learner Functions

Navigating the Course Player

When a learner enters a course, they use the Learning Interface to consume content.

• The Sidebar: Use the collapsible sidebar on the left to navigate between Sections, Subsections, and Units.

• Unit Navigation: Use the "Previous" and "Next" buttons at the bottom of the content area to move through the course linearly.

• Course Tabs: Access high-level course areas such as Progress, Dates, and Discussion via the navigation bar at the top of the course.

Participating in Discussions

The LMS includes a built-in forum for collaborative learning.

1. Navigate to the Discussion tab in the top navigation bar.

2. Use the Add a Post button to start a new thread.

3. Filter or search for specific topics using the search bar and category sidebar.

Tracking Progress and Certificates

Learners can monitor their performance in real-time:

• Progress Tab: Displays a detailed chart of all graded assignments and the current total grade.

• Dashboard: Upon logging in, the main dashboard shows all enrolled courses and a "Resume Course" button for the last visited unit.

• Certificates: Once the course is completed and the final grade is calculated, learners can view and download their digital certificates directly from the Dashboard or the Progress tab.

Administrative and Instructor Tools

Instructors manage the learner experience through the Instructor Dashboard located within the LMS.

Managing Enrollments

To manage who has access to the course:

1. In the LMS, click the Instructor tab.

2. Select the Membership sub-tab.

3. Use the Batch Enrollment section to add learners via email address or CSV upload.

Student Admin & Grading

To assist individual learners or manage scores:

1. Navigate to the Instructor Dashboard > Student Admin.

2. Enter a learner's email or username to:

   • View their specific grade report.

   • Reset attempts for a specific exam or problem.

   • Extend a deadline for a specific learner.

Accessing Analytics

To view course-wide engagement data:

1. Go to the Instructor Dashboard.

2. Select the Data Download tab.

3. Generate reports for Anonymized Student IDs, Grade Reports, or Enrollment Data. Once generated, these reports appear in the table at the bottom of the page for download.

Design and Layout

The LMS is optimized for responsiveness across all devices:

• Mobile Web: The layout automatically adjusts for small screens, ensuring buttons and videos remain accessible.

• Global Search: Use the search icon in the top navigation to find specific keywords across all course content and discussion posts.