Sometimes you may need to allow a student to access a module before its unlock date. While this option is not natively available in Canvas, this guide will show you a workaround that provides similar results. To do this we will make use of Canvas' Requirements feature; for more information on requirements check out the guide linked below.
Setting up the Module Requirements
Instead of adding lock dates to the entire module, we'll be adding them to the first item in the module and then using requirements to lock the rest of the module. In this example I'll use "Module Overview" to set all my dates.
First you'll need to edit the module, make sure Lock Until is turned off, and add a requirement. Set the requirement to "Complete All" and check off "Students must move through requirements in sequential order" [1]. Then make sure the required content is your first module item and choose what students will be required to do [2]. In this case I've chosen "View the Item". Then click Save [3].
These settings will require students to view the Module Overview before they can access the rest of the module.
Date Restrictions
Now that the requirements have been setup you can add the date restrictions.
Edit the first item of your module and locate "Assign To"; here you can set the availability date for the module. The "Assign To" feature allows us to set different dates for different people, in this example I've added an additional field [1] and assigned the Module to Natalie Baker [2] a week earlier than the rest of the class. When you've finished setting dates, click Save [3].
Considerations
If you make use of availability dates on other pages or assignments in the module you will also have to edit those to include student exceptions.