Moodle: Read-Only Course Mode

Following the completion of the 2024 Spring term, we are introducing the read-only course mode as an additional measure to preserve academic records.

What is Read-Only Course Mode?

The read-only setting prevents changes to teaching courses in Moodle to preserve the academic record at the end of that term. The course may also be referred to as frozen or locked. This does not affect work done on sites external to Moodle.

Why Freeze a Course?

Once a course has been completed for the term, the academic record should not be preserved as it is when all grades have been distributed. Freezing a course preserves this user data as the only record of the course. Setting the course to read-only prevents accidentally overwriting or changing this course record. This is important because after 180 days from the last course edit, a backup file that includes user data is no longer kept in Moodle.

Transition Timeline

Courses will be placed in read-only mode and set to hidden no fewer than 30 days after the final grades deadline, according to the LSU Registrar’s Academic Calendar. Semester backups of the course content without user data will be saved during this 30 day window.

Accessing Course Content

You will be able to find the semester backup file of your course in Simple Restore. Alternatively, you can retrieve course activities through Selective Import.

Recommendations

We recommend maintaining a Blueprint course for edits that are needed after a course has been taught.

Exceptions

If a student has a grade extension or your program extends beyond the regular term, please contact the FTC (Faculty Technology Center) to unfreeze your course. Efforts will be made to avoid prematurely freezing courses in programs on their own calendar, such as LAW, but if this occurs, please reach out to the FTC for assistance.
 

Related Articles

• Moodle: Course Visibility
• Moodle: Simple Restore
• Moodle: Selective Import
• Moodle: Request a Blueprint Course