Open file in same window issue

Mar 30, 2017

Hi,

After a lot of attempts, I am having great difficulty with the feature that allows a file to open in the same window from SL2.  

The file does open as I expect however, my course refuses to return a complete status in the LMS.  As soon as I amend the setting to open in another window, the course reports a complete status correctly.  The status is based on a quiz results slide rather than number of slides viewed.

Very strange behaviour and this is the only change I made to the course so I can't see that anything else is causing it.

Anyone else had this issue?

6 Replies
Alyssa Gomez

Hi there Sally,

That's really odd! We definitely wouldn't expect opening a file to affect LMS reporting. Have you done any testing in SCORM Cloud yet?  If so, are you getting the same results? We generally compare the behavior in SCORM Cloud to your LMS experience to try to parse out file issues versus LMS issues.  We are happy to help you with that testing if you'd like to share your file!

Sally Matson

Thanks for the response Alyssa.  I have now tested it in the SCORM cloud - Thanks for telling me about it.  It will be very helpful for future developments.

The behaviour is the same on the SCORM cloud.  I uploaded it once with the files set to open within the same window.  The files opened as planned, I progressed a couple more slides and then exited the course.  I relaunched the course and was taken back to the slide with the file downloads rather than my last position in the course.  I completed the course, passed the quiz and then exited again and my score and completion status was not recorded.

I then amended the course so the files open in an external window and uploaded that.  The files opened in an external window, I progressed a few slides before exiting.  I relaunched the course and was taken to my last position within the course as expected.  I completed the course, passed the quiz and then exited.  The status shows as completed with my quiz score. 

The only difference between the two uploads was having the files open within the window versus outside of the window.

Thanks

Russell Engoran

Depending on how you are opening in the window, you may be replacing/breaking the course session. The scorm variables are tracked in a non-visible parent frame.

If you replace the whole page in the current window, that tracking frame disappears.

If you really need to open in the same window, try using a web object instead so the parent remains intact.

Alyssa Gomez

Hi Sally,

I put together a quick sample file for you to test by clicking here. From that file, I tested both opening the file in a new window and opening the file in the current window. In both scenarios, I was able to resume on the correct slide, and my completion status was recorded correctly. Are you seeing the same thing on your end?

Sally Matson

Hi Alyssa,

I have checked your course and the file type is different which I don't know if that makes a difference to the behaviour of the course.  I have linked to a word document in my course.  The reason I have linked to a word document rather than PDF is due to the behaviour of our computers.  A PDF that opens in the same window means that I can't return back to the course as there are no browser buttons such as back/forward.  A word document that opens in the same window actually shows at the bottom of the screen giving the learner the option to open or save the file and they can still see the e-learning course and progress.

Alyssa Gomez

Ah, I see. I'm not sure if the file type would make a difference here, so I'd like to enlist the help of our Support Engineers on this one. Would you mind sending your file to them by clicking here? They'll test it and get back with you on what they find. Also, be sure to let me know your case number so I can follow along. :)

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