Distribute via a direct access link

This article guides you through the steps to share a course using a direct access link and explores the customization and security options available for the link. Sharing via a direct access link allows you to easily distribute a course by generating a link to share with participants, making it easier for them to access the training.

Table of contents

• Access the direct access link settings
• Configure the link
  • Customize your course's direct link
  • Set access conditions
  • Additional options for an "Open to All" link
• Participant experience
• Frequently Asked Questions

Access the direct access link settings

To access the direct access link, follow the steps below:

1. Go to the course, assessment, or training path you want to share with your participants.
2. Select the "Distribute  " tab located in the left-hand navigation bar.
3. Then, select the "Direct Access Link " option.

Configure the link 

You can either share the link as is or customize it for more controlled distribution.

Customize the direct access link URL

By default, Teach Up automatically generates a link for your course. However, you can customize it as needed by following these steps:

1. Click on the gear icon to open the direct access link settings.
2. Enable the option "Customize your course link".
3. Replace the alphanumeric string generated by Teach Up with a name of your choice.
4. Click "Save" at the bottom of the configuration window.
   
   

   Click on the image to open it in a new tab

Set access conditions

By default, anyone with the link can create a participant account and access your course. However, you can set specific access conditions to restrict or control who can access the link. Here are the four available options:

1. "Closed Access": The course is not accessible via the link, making it inactive for anyone attempting to open it.
2. "Accessible to authorized emails only": Limit access to participants whose email addresses contain a specific domain (e.g., @mytraining.com). You can add multiple domains. Only participants who meet these criteria can access the course via the link, either by using an existing account or by creating a new one. Participants will be able to resume their training where they left off.
3. "Accessible to all connected participants": All participants following the direct access link can access the course with their Teach Up account. Those without an account can create one.
4. "Accessible to all, without an account": All participants with the link can access the course without needing to create a Teach Up account.
   
   

Additional options for an "Open to All" link

Two additional settings are available for a direct access link configured as "Accessible to all, without an account":

1. "Password required": Secure access to the course by requiring a password to open the link.
2. "Ask users to enter their first, last names and emails to start the module": Configure the link to collect information from participants before they start the training.

These two options can be used simultaneously for stricter control.

Participant experience

Once the link has been shared, here are the three possible scenarios for participants:

1. First-time connection to Teach Up: The participant will need to create a Teach Up account.
   
   See the detailed steps in this article.
2. The participant has already logged into Teach Up: Simply enter their credentials via a classic login or SSO to access the activity.
3. The link is configured as "Accessible to all, without an account": No account or login is required to access the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

The participant cannot access the link, what should I do?

1. Check if the link is active: Ensure that the direct access link is not deactivated or restricted by specific access settings.
2. Check if it is the right link : The direct access link is different from the URL used for course design. Ensure that the participant is using the direct access link you provided and not the design URL.