Optional Modules

Optional Modules

Modules within a Course can be marked as optional.

Optional modules allow learners to access additional learning without requiring them to complete it in order to finish the Course.

Any standard Course module type can be optional, including:

• Lessons
• Quizzes
• SCORM
• Surveys
• Webinars

Configuring an optional module

Optional status is configured against the module's position within the Course curriculum, rather than against the module itself.

This means the same module could be required in one Course and optional in another.

Course progress

Optional modules are excluded from the Course completion percentage.

For example, if a Course contains:

• 4 required modules
• 2 optional modules

then completing all 4 required modules results in 100% Course completion, regardless of whether the optional modules have been completed.

Completing an optional module does not increase the Course completion percentage.

Course completion

Optional modules do not need to be completed before the Course can be completed or a certificate awarded.

This remains true even if the learner has started an optional module but has not completed it.

Required modules continue to determine Course progress and completion.

How optional progress is displayed

Although optional modules do not contribute to the Course percentage, their completion can still be shown separately in the learner experience.

For example, the Course interface can show:

4 of 4 required modules completed

1 of 2 optional modules completed

This allows learners to distinguish between the learning they must complete and additional learning available to them.

Navigating optional modules

Optional modules remain part of the Course curriculum and can be opened by the learner like other modules.

When progressing through a Course, Shapeshift can distinguish between an optional module that has never been viewed and one the learner has already visited.

If the learner has previously opened an optional module and then returns to an earlier module, continuing forward will normally skip past that optional module rather than repeatedly returning them to learning they have already chosen not to complete.

The optional module remains available from the Course curriculum if the learner wants to return to it later.

Linear progression

Optional modules do not block linear Course progression.

A learner can continue to the next required module without completing an optional module.

This allows additional learning to appear naturally within the Course structure without preventing the learner from progressing through required content.

Due dates

Optional modules can technically have module due dates where the Course scheduling configuration creates them.

However, because optional modules are not required for Course completion, due dates on optional learning should be used carefully.

Where module reminder notifications are configured, an incomplete optional module with a due date may also be included in due or overdue notification processing.

If an optional module is genuinely optional, it will often be clearer not to assign it a required-looking deadline.

Reporting

Optional modules do not affect the learner's Course completion percentage or Course completion status.

Where deeper analysis is required, module-level reporting can be used to understand optional engagement separately from required Course progress.

Useful reporting could include:

• Completion of required vs optional modules
• Most frequently completed optional modules
• Optional learning engagement by Course or Organization

The exact reporting available depends on the analytics configuration for the platform.

Curriculum Sections

Sections are separate from optional modules.

Sections are used only to organize and visually group modules within the Course curriculum. They are not learning activities themselves and do not contribute to progress or completion.