A learner may be exempt from a course that is targeted to them based on a previous achievement of a similar course. This can happen, for example, when a learner’s role changes and consequently their targeted training changes with it.
In course equivalencies, there are two types of courses:
· Those that grant exemption for another course
· Those that are an exemption for another course
For example, there are two courses: Basic Music Theory and Advanced Music Theory. They are configured so that Basic Music Theory is an exemption course for Advanced Music Theory, and Advanced Music Theory grants exemption for Basic Music Theory. When a user successfully completes Advanced Music Theory, the user will automatically be exempt from Basic Music Theory upon registration.
One course can grant exemptions to multiple courses, and multiple courses can grant exemptions to a single course. However, it is always a one-to-one relationship – you cannot require a combination of two courses to grant exemption to a single course.
Automatic exemptions are granted only when registering in the exemption course through:
· User self-registration (in User mode)
· Course registration (Admin mode)
· Bundle registration (including auto enrollment in Admin mode)
Exemption courses will be enrolled and completed with grade of 100% and status of Exempt. The completion date will match the registration date. This may translate to a textual grade for the exempted course, when applicable.
Exemptions can also be granted manually to users. Like automatic exemptions, the user will receive a status of Exempt, but the grade will be whatever the administrator enters. It is highly recommended that comments are added about the exemption when possible.
You can grant manual exemptions from the following locations:
· Grading users in their profile itself, through a course session, or by a user
· In a user’s transcript (Admin mode only)
· Managing users’ grades by course or by student
Currently Enrolled Users and New Exemption Rules
Exemptions can also be granted to currently enrolled learners that qualify based on the creation of a new exemption rule.
After adding an exemption course to a selected course, LearnFlex will indicate if there are any qualified registrants. These are learners who have met the following conditions:
· Have successfully completed the selected course (known as a superseding course).
· Have already enrolled in the exemption course with any registration status.
Upon granting the exemption, these learners will receive a grade of 100 and a status of Exempt in the selected course.
Viewing Exemptions
Once an exemption has been granted, the administrator can view details from the user’s transcript in Admin mode.
Learners can use the Comments link in their achievement record to view when they receive an exemption but it does not indicate what grants an exemption. Their transcript also indicates if they have been exempt from a course.
Report Builder Objects
A Report Builder object, Exemption Maps, is available for course exemptions and contains the following new fields: Exemption Course Number, Exemption Course Title, Exemption Session Code, Exemption Session End Date, Exemption Session ID, Exemption Session Start Date, Superseding Course ID, Superseding Course Number, and Superseding Course Title.
Additional Exemption Details
You should note the following items:
· Exemptions affect only future registrations.
· Automatic exemptions are granted at the time of registration only.
· Imported enrollments will not trigger or grant exemptions.
· Weights for courses will be based on the required course only, not the course exemption. Equivalency will take effect regardless of different weights that may exist between the two courses.
· Course Save as New saves equivalency configuration.
Configuring Course Exemptions
1. Enable security setting 855 Course Exemptions.
2. Make sure that a course completion status of Exempt has been created with the correct external ID. This is required for both manual and automatic exemptions. It should be available automatically after upgrading to LearnFlex 8.2.
3. Designate courses that grant exemption and those that are exemption for others.