Sometimes a student needs access to a Blackboard module ahead of the date when the rest of the class will see the content. Here are instructions on setting early access for a student.

How to Allow a Single Student to Open a Lesson Early

Step 1: Add Adaptive Release for Early Access

1. Navigate to Lessons Homepage, and click on the module's action link
2. Click Adaptive Release: Advanced
3. Create Rule
4. Change Rule Name to "Exception", click Submit
5. Create Criteria --> Membership
6. Browse, select student, click Submit
7. When you return to the previous page, the student name(s) will appear in the Username box
8. Click Submit at bottom right
9. Click OK at bottom right

Step 2: Add Adaptive Release Rule for Normal Access

Continuing from the steps above...

1. Create Rule
2. Change Rule Name to "Normal", click Submit
3. Create Criteria --> Date
4. Check the Display After box and set the date and time to open the module to the rest of the class
5. Click Submit at bottom right
6. Click OK at bottom right

You will be returned to the Adaptive Release: Advanced summary page for this module, where you can see the two rules with the OR condition applied. This means access to the module is granted to anyone named in the "Exception" rule OR access to the module is granted when the date criteria of the "Normal" rule is met.

Step 3: Remove Existing Availability Dates

You will also need to remove any current Availability Date set in the module options. To do this,  return to Lessons homepage and click on the module's action link

1. Click Edit (the top option in the list)
2. Scroll down to STANDARD OPTIONS -> Select Date and Time Restrictions and make sure the box next to Display After is NOT checked.

Optional: Add a Date Criteria to the "Exception" Rule

What if I need to also set a date for the student(s) who can access the lesson before the rest of the class? No problem! This can be done by adding a second criteria to the "Exception" rule.

1. Click the module's action link
2. Click Adaptive Release: Advanced
3. Hover over the name of the "Exception" rule. An action link will appear. Click the action link, then Edit criteria
4. Create Criteria -> Date
5. Check the Display After box and customize the date and time for the module to open for the student(s) being granted early access to the module.
6. Click Submit