Managing Access Levels
How access levels work across courses, assistants, cohorts, and widgets, and the compatibility rules between them.
The three access levels
| Level | Who can access |
|---|---|
private | Only users you invite. |
restricted | Users who enter a valid cohort code. |
public | Any authenticated user. |
These apply to courses, assistants, cohorts, and widgets.
The core rule
No resource can be more permissive than its parent. A private course cannot contain a public assistant. A restricted cohort cannot contain a private assistant.
Course → Assistant compatibility
| Course | Allowed assistant levels |
|---|---|
private | private only |
restricted | private, restricted |
public | private, restricted, public |
Cohort → Assistant compatibility
| Cohort | Compatible assistant levels |
|---|---|
private | private, restricted, public |
restricted | restricted, public |
public | public only |
Changing access levels
You can change an assistant's access level at any time. SLAN validates the change in three stages: linked courses, direct cohorts, then indirect cohorts (cohorts linked to the course). If any stage fails, SLAN shows which resource is causing the conflict.
Making an assistant less open (e.g. public → restricted). Learners who currently use the assistant lose access if they fall outside the new level. SLAN does not notify them. Tell your learners before you make the change.
Making an assistant more open (e.g. private → public). Every authenticated user gains access immediately.
Widgets with guest mode. If you restrict an assistant that has widgets with guest mode enabled, SLAN warns you and lists the affected widgets. If you proceed, SLAN disables guest mode on those widgets.
Common setups
Public assistant for everyone. Course → public. Assistant → public. Optionally assign to a public cohort to track usage.
Gated access via registration code. Course → restricted or public. Assistant → restricted. Cohort → restricted. Distribute the cohort code to your learners.
Private program, invite only. Course → private. Assistant → private. Invite users manually. No registration code.
Embedded widget for unauthenticated visitors. Assistant → public. Create a widget with Allow guest mode enabled and Allowed domains set to your site.
Multiple assistants for one group. All assistants must have access levels compatible with the cohort. Assign them all to the same cohort. Learners who register with the code see every assigned assistant.
Before you launch
Plan access levels upfront. Changing levels mid-semester disrupts learners, and SLAN does not send them a notification. Decide the model before you distribute links.
Test the full flow. Create a test account, register with a cohort code, and confirm the correct assistants appear.
Review access when linking courses. If you link a new course to an assistant, verify the course's access level is compatible. SLAN blocks incompatible links.