Authors can add files to Downloads when creating a course and make these resources available for learners to download.
You can also link to these files in a page or task.
How to add files to Downloads
When editing a course, head to Downloads in your left menu. From here you can upload any files you want to add to use in your course.
Note: As you can see in the image above, learners see the filename for uploaded resources, so be sure to have clear and descriptive filenames.
The Show / Hide option lets you choose which resources will be listed in learners’ Downloads list.
You can remove files using the bin icon.
How learners view Downloads
When learners visit Downloads in their course, they will only see the resources set to Show.
Facilitators, reviewers and coaches viewing the course will only see the resources that learners can see.
How to link to files within a page
In your Downloads area, copy the URL of the file you want to link to.
In your page, select + and add a Text element.
Select the text you want to link and select the File icon.
Add in the URL of the file.
Choose to Open link in new tab.
Edit the link text if needed.
To remove a file link, delete the relevant text from the text element.
How to link to files within a task
In your Downloads area, copy the URL of the file you want to link to.
In your page, select + and add a Task element.
Select the text you want to link and select the Link icon.
Add in the URL of the file.
Choose to Open link in new tab.
Edit the link text if needed.
To remove a file link, delete the relevant text or use the Unlink icon when you place your cursor within the linked text.
Tips
We recommend uploading all (or most) of the files you'll want to link to at the beginning of building your course. That way you don't need to switch back and forth between where you need to upload them (Downloads) and where you link them (editing a page).
It’s also important to note that files linked within the content, but deleted from Downloads in create, can still be downloaded through linked text on course pages.
Some browsers will open pdfs on the same page. So we recommend choosing to Open in a new tab so learners don't lose the page they're on.
Make sure to edit the link text to something that makes sense and readable. Often filenames can be a tad messy or have underscores etc.
In advice on writing for the web, you'll often see that we recommend inserting a link to a file with a very brief description of what learners should expect to see if they open it (or why they should open it). For instance, something like: "Read [File title] to see an explanation of..." See our blog on Turning resources into courses for more detail and examples.