> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://synap.ac/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://synap.ac/docs/platform/learner-experience/overview.md).

# Overview

Students use the learner area of your portal to find their work, open learning content, take assessments, review results and manage their account. This section shows you that experience from the student's point of view, so you can understand how your choices in the administration area affect them.

### What determines what a student sees

Students on the same portal do not necessarily see the same pages or content.

| What affects the experience | What it changes for the student                                                        |
| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| User type                   | The pages shown in the main navigation, including their names, icons and order.        |
| User groups                 | The Assignments, Exams, Collections and other content made available to that student.  |
| Direct access               | Content shared with the individual student rather than one of their groups.            |
| Dates and status            | Whether work is available now, due later, closed or waiting for an administrator.      |
| Assessment settings         | Timers, navigation, feedback, result visibility, certificates and any security checks. |
| Portal settings             | Branding, sign-in methods, language and the information shown on portal pages.         |

{% hint style="info" %}
Showing a page in the navigation and granting access to its content are separate decisions. For example, a student can see the **Exams** page but will only see exams that have been made available to them.
{% endhint %}

### A typical journey

1. The student signs in, registers or follows an invitation using the method configured for your portal.
2. They arrive on your chosen home page and use the main navigation to find their work.
3. They open an Assignment, Exam, Collection or item from Study.
4. Synap saves their progress, answers or results as they work.
5. They return later to continue, review released results or download a certificate.

The exact journey depends on what you are delivering. An Assignment guides a student through a course and tracks completion. A Collection gives them a set of resources to browse or follow. Study supports independent practice. An Exam provides a more controlled assessment journey.

### Previewing the student experience

Administrator and Manager accounts can see content and controls that students cannot. The most reliable way to check your setup is therefore to use a separate test Student account.

For a realistic test, give that account the same User type and User group membership as the intended students. Check it at the same point in the schedule and, for assessments, complete the whole journey through to submission and results.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Being able to open something as an Administrator does not confirm that a student can find or access it. Test important changes with a Student account before inviting your learners.
{% endhint %}


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