Release settings decide when each module (section) of a course opens for a student, whether students can comment in it, and whether they get an email when it opens. This is often called a drip schedule. One schedule type applies to the whole course.
Choosing the schedule
| Open sections by | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Days after enrollment | Each module opens a set number of days after each student enrols. 0 opens it straight away. Every student moves at their own pace. | Self-paced courses anyone can join at any time. |
| Specific dates | Each module opens on a calendar date, whenever the student enrolled. Every module needs a date. | A group that starts together. |
Setting it up
Step 1: Open the release screen
From the course, or with a module's Release Settings button on the curriculum.
Step 2: Pick Open sections by
Days after enrollment or Specific dates.
Step 3: Set each module
Enter the days in Open after (0 or more), or pick the Open date.
Step 4: Switch comments and emails
Per module, or for all at once with the bulk buttons (Comments on/off, Emails on/off).
Step 5: Choose who gets the change
Apply saved drip changes to: existing and future students, or new students only.
Step 6: Save
Save Changes (you see All release settings saved successfully.). On a live course that needs review the button can read Save & send for review.
Comments per module
With comments on, students can ask questions under the lessons of that module. New comments wait for moderation before other students see them; see Answering student comments and questions. A campus only reads the comments on courses attached to it.
Unlock emails
- Switch Unlock email on for a module to email each enrolled student when it opens for them. Switching on fills in a ready-made message listing the module's lessons.
- Choose Edit to change the Email Subject (up to 250 characters) and Email Body (usually up to 5,000 characters; NSDP may allow more). Reset to Default restores the standard text.
- The default subject is New section unlocked: followed by the course and module names. Your school may have its own default text.
Who gets a changed schedule
Fields on this form
- Existing and future studentsDefault: Selected
- Students already enrolled are re-planned to the new schedule, as well as everyone who enrols later.
- New students only
- Students already enrolled keep the schedule they started with. Only new enrolments use the new one.
What students see
- Locked modules show when they open, for example Unlocks in 3 days. or Unlocks on 1 Oct 2026.
- Only published lessons appear at all, whatever the schedule.
- A module a student has already completed stays open for them.
- NSDP can open modules or lessons early for an individual student; the rest of that student's schedule then moves along with it.
Opening lessons one by one
To make students finish each lesson before the next one opens, switch on Require students to complete each lesson before the next lesson becomes available under Information → Course Settings. It works inside whatever modules are already open.
Changing the schedule of a live course
On a live course that needs NSDP review (teachers' courses in most schools), saved changes to module timing, comments and unlock emails go to NSDP as a change request first; students keep the current schedule until it is approved. You see Sent to NSDP for review, or the usual save message with the course's review status changing to Under review.
The Release tab's timeline
- The Release tab in the course workspace adds an Unlock timeline that shows every moment modules open, and course-wide switches for comments and unlock emails.
- Days can be set up to 3650. Rows show captions such as Open on enrolment, Locked for 7 days or Pick a date.
- Changes are kept only after Save changes; Discard throws them away.
For campuses
A campus does not set release schedules, and the campus portal has no Release tab. A recorded course NSDP attached to your campus follows the schedule its teacher and NSDP set, also for the students your campus gives it to.
Common messages
Messages you might see
“Days after enrollment must be 0 or greater for …”
FixEnter 0 or a positive whole number.
“Please choose a valid specific date for …”
WhyA module has no date in Specific dates mode.
FixPick a date for every module.
“Failed to save section release settings.”
FixCheck your connection and save again.
“Unsaved Changes · Save before leaving?”
WhyYou tried to leave with changes not saved.
FixChoose Save & Leave, or Skip Changes to drop them.
FAQ
Can different modules use different schedule types?
No. One type applies to the whole course; each module has its own days or date.
Can I schedule individual lessons?
Not from this screen. Lessons follow their module; use lesson order (above) to open them one by one.
Why didn't students get an unlock email?
Check that Unlock email is on for that module and that the module is locked for some days or until a date: a module open from day 0 has no unlock moment.
Does changing the schedule re-lock modules students already opened?
Modules a student has completed stay open. Choose New students only to leave current students' schedules alone.
Where do bundles set their timing?
Bundles have their own course-by-course unlock timing on the bundle's Release tab, counted from the bundle enrolment.