When a user clicks on a hyperlink in a course, the webpage opens up in a new tab or window, but that window receives the focus and covers the course window.
The user thinks the course has closed and proceeds to start over.
So is there a way to specify when clicking a link that the webpage opens up but that the course window stays on top?
When you set up your URL link, if you hover over your link you will see a gear icon that you can click to select Browser Options:
When you select the icon, you will have an opportunity to setup a Custom browser window size:
Although the new window will still appear on top of the course window, if you set the custom size to something smaller, the user will still be able to see the course window underneath, which should make them realise that they just need to close the new URL window or simply click on the course window to carry on with their course.
My courses have been set to open the URL in a new window (default size). I came here looking for a solution because, under this configuration, my learners were experiencing a confusing situation where:
They open a new browser window and access the LMS and launch the course.
The course properties are set to open in a new Browser window.
When the learner clicks on a link in the course it toggles back to the LMS browser window and creates a new tab containing the linked contents.
When they finish looking at the contents and close the tab, they then see the original LMS tab and confusingly think that the course has been closed.
They then try clicking the "Resume" button (to re-launch the course) but nothing happens (because the course is still open in the background).
Now, setting the window size to a smaller window (I'm leaving it as 800x600 atm) always brings up a NEW window and they can see the course behind it.
Our learners are using Chrome so the above experience might be more of a 'Browser behaviour' thing.
By testing in SCORM Cloud, you'll get a better idea of whether the issue is specific to your LMS. If your course works at SCORM Cloud but not in your LMS, please open a support case with your LMS provider. They’ll know how best to help with LMS-specific problems.
6 Replies
Hi Ray,
When you set up your URL link, if you hover over your link you will see a gear icon that you can click to select Browser Options:
When you select the icon, you will have an opportunity to setup a Custom browser window size:
Although the new window will still appear on top of the course window, if you set the custom size to something smaller, the user will still be able to see the course window underneath, which should make them realise that they just need to close the new URL window or simply click on the course window to carry on with their course.
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for this! It actually works!
Ray
Now if there were only a way to do this when the user access the link via the Resources menu.
Hi Elizabeth,
I posted a response here which might help.
Thanks for the tip Ned.
My courses have been set to open the URL in a new window (default size). I came here looking for a solution because, under this configuration, my learners were experiencing a confusing situation where:
Now, setting the window size to a smaller window (I'm leaving it as 800x600 atm) always brings up a NEW window and they can see the course behind it.
Our learners are using Chrome so the above experience might be more of a 'Browser behaviour' thing.
Hi Brett,
Thanks so much for reaching out! Sorry to hear your learners have run into this snag!
To see if this is an LMS issue, we recommend first testing your course in SCORM Cloud:
By testing in SCORM Cloud, you'll get a better idea of whether the issue is specific to your LMS. If your course works at SCORM Cloud but not in your LMS, please open a support case with your LMS provider. They’ll know how best to help with LMS-specific problems.
If your course doesn't work in SCORM Cloud, please reach out to our support team here for further assistance.
Hope this helps!