Flexible sections format

Course formats ::: format_flexsections
Maintained by Marina Glancy
Organises course content in any number of sections that can be nested. Each section can be displayed on the same page or on a separate page
Latest release:
3278 sites
1k downloads
132 fans
Current versions available: 8

This course format looks very similar to Topics format except:

  • sections can be added inside other sections
  • each section (regardless of its nesting level) can be shown either on the same page as parent or on a separate page. Teacher can change it in edit mode.
  • If section is displayed on a separate page, it's name is displayed as a link and on this  page the link "Back to ... " is displayed

If teacher hides a section all nested sections and activities become hidden as well.

Please note that if section has both activities and subsections activities are displayed first.

On the attached screenshots the section "Quizzes" has tree subsections - "Science" and "Mathematics are displayed on the same page and "Other Uses" on a separate page. Note how course navigation looks like in this case.

Screenshots

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Screenshot #5

Contributors

Marina Glancy (Lead maintainer)
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  • Boris Malysh
    Thu, 30 Jun 2022, 9:43 AM
    Unfortunately caused error 500 after installation.
    When the site is accessed everything is ok, but if you log in as the admin the error is there. It doesn't affect students though.
    The site is Moodle 4.0 with Boost theme on.
    So far, the issue is solved by manual removing the plugin folder.
    Too bad, the feature of nested sections seems awesome.
    I hope, my comment ends up useful for the developers.
    Hoping to hear about the plugin update patching the bug.
    Cheers 👍
  • Marina Glancy
    Thu, 30 Jun 2022, 8:18 PM
    hi Boris, could you help us to reproduce this error? Do you have anything in error log? Will be great if you could open an issue in https://github.com/marinaglancy/moodle-format_flexsections/issues so we can discuss it there. TIA!
  • Alexis Morand
    Tue, 26 Jul 2022, 3:39 PM
    Hi Marina,
    thanks for the plugin, it's the last one I'm waiting for going to Moodle 4.0
    I've tried on another one of my Moodle but I can't make it work properly with the course index (on the left).
    It shows only my parent sections and I cannot fold or unfold nothing without going on the section.
    Also if I scroll inside of a sub section, the blue cursor / highlight does not follow where I am in my course.
    Also, once I'm in a sub section, If I go back to the parent one, the index is still on the sub section.
  • Marina Glancy
    Wed, 27 Jul 2022, 4:29 PM
    Hello Alexis, what do you mean you are waiting for it to go to Moodle 4.0? It already has a version for Moodle 4.0 and also the open issues list ( https://github.com/marinaglancy/moodle-format_flexsections/issues ) does not have any issues specific for Moodle 4.
  • Alexis Morand
    Wed, 27 Jul 2022, 5:35 PM
    Hello,
    Sorry if I was not clear, it was the last plugin I was waiting for the Moodle 4.0.
    The issues I have are with the latest version, and I'll put the list I have in the github so smile
    Thanks
  • DTA 28/03/2015
    Tue, 6 Sep 2022, 5:19 PM
    Hi Marina,
    Wondering if you put on your roadmap a sub section level completion bar status, based upon activity completion in this section (to help student to find their way in a long list of topics), the same way Jean-Roch Meurisse did it in format_collapsibletopics.
    If this includes also capacity to keep collapsing state over sessions, this should be a dream.
    Thanks & Regards
    Benoit
  • puneet jhingan
    Mon, 26 Sep 2022, 1:29 PM
    Hello Marina,
    I am getting this error for 4.0 install: Appears to be a version number mismatch. Pl advise asap

    Debugging output enabled
    ZIP /var/www/moodledata/temp/tool_installaddon/63313751746b3/plugin.zip
    Validating format_flexsections ... Error
    [OK] Name of the plugin to be installed [flexsections]
    [OK] Plugin version [2022061900]
    [OK] Required Moodle version [2022041900.00]
    [OK] Full component name [format_flexsections]
    [OK] Declared maturity level [MATURITY_STABLE]
    [OK] Plugin release [4.0.1]
    [Debug] Found language file [format_flexsections]
    [Error] Write access check [/home/ubuntu/moodle/course/format]
    Installation aborted due to validation failure
  • Marina Glancy
    Fri, 2 Dec 2022, 1:01 AM
    Please remember to use the github "Issues" tab for the bug reports and the improvement requests - https://github.com/marinaglancy/moodle-format_flexsections/issues

  • James Calder
    Thu, 30 Mar 2023, 5:29 AM
    Hi Marina,

    I'm also a course format developer (Multitopic format), and I'm looking at what's required to support Moodle 4.2. I think it's probably just the new bulk edit tools. I notice the bulk edit tool for moving sections is disabled on section pages:

    course/format/classes/output/local/content/bulkedittools.php
    function section_control_items
    line: if (!$sectionreturn && has_capability('moodle/course:movesections', $context, $user)) {
    [Adds move section bulk edit tool]

    I was thinking about requesting it not be disabled, because I think this would make sense for my course format. It occurs to me, though, that it probably does make sense to disable this for Flexible sections format, since sections couldn't really be bulk moved if they're nested, so perhaps I shouldn't request it be changed. Would that be right?

    Cheers,
    James
  • James Calder
    Thu, 6 Apr 2023, 6:15 AM
    Actually, never mind. I guess the moving sections bulk edit tool will display on the course main page, so you'll have to overwrite this method anyway.
  • Carlos Souquett
    Mon, 12 Jun 2023, 6:41 AM
    Hi, Marina. the plugin is not working in Moodle 4.2. I use the New Learning theme. I can't collapse or expand the sections. In 4.1 it works fine.
    I wrote to New Learning developer and he said: Just checked this plugin and seems there is a js bug and this plugin doesn't work in all themes, please watch the video:

    Awaiting your reply,

    Carlos
  • Profile picture of Harald Schnurbusch
    Tue, 10 Oct 2023, 9:15 PM
    Hi Marina,

    one of our users noted that if you highlight a section the subsections below that section are highlighted, too. Obviously, he would like to have more flexibility and highlight sections more specifically. Are there any plans for that?

    Thank you for considering
    Harald
  • Marina Glancy
    Wed, 11 Oct 2023, 4:50 PM
    Hello! Please report all issues on the github - https://github.com/marinaglancy/moodle-format_flexsections/issues , I am not able to follow multiple comments without any threads here
  • Corey Gaitwood
    Fri, 29 Dec 2023, 6:58 AM
    Hello Marina, does this plugin work on the Mobile app?
  • Helena Martin
    Mon, 26 Feb 2024, 9:59 PM
    Hello Marina,
    I am having some issues with setting anchors when subsections are "hidden" in a lower level.
    We want to create a structure where we can link between content in different sections, but we do not want all sections to be open and visible so as not to overwhelm students with content. Is there a way to create a link/anchor to a section that is hidden and have it "open" when the link is clicked?
    Best
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