CMS Editing Dos and Don’ts
Target Audience: Teachers and administrators trained in CMS editing
Accelerate Education provides a highly customizable curriculum that allows programs to adapt course content to meet local instructional and student needs. For customizations that extend beyond the capabilities of the Learning Management System (LMS), the Content Management System (CMS) offers advanced editing tools.
Important: This article is intended for users who have completed CMS training and received CMS credentials. It does not provide step-by-step instructions for accessing or using the CMS.
✅ Do: Assign CMS Access Thoughtfully
❌ Don’t: Grant Access to Too Many Users
Limit CMS access to a small group of trained users, such as curriculum specialists or instructional leaders responsible for content decisions.
Providing access to too many users can lead to overlapping edits, inconsistent content, and avoidable errors. In some cases, significant mistakes may require a course reimport, resulting in the loss of all previous customizations.
✅ Do: Plan Your Edits and Track Changes
❌ Don’t: Make Changes Without Documentation
CMS editing requires planning and organization. Before making changes, identify your priorities and establish a process for documenting edits.
Maintaining a record of modifications makes it easier to review changes, troubleshoot issues, and reapply customizations when future course updates are released.
Take your time as you learn the system. Efficiency will improve with experience.
✅ Do: Understand the Impact of CMS Edits
❌ Don’t: Overlook the Long-Term Effects
When a CMS edit is published, the content’s original GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is replaced. As a result, the edited content is no longer connected to future Accelerate Education updates.
Before making changes, consider whether the customization outweighs the benefit of receiving future automated updates.
✅ Do: Duplicate Lessons Before Editing
❌ Don’t: Delete Original Lessons
Before editing a lesson, create a duplicate and unpublish or hide the original version. This provides a backup that can be restored if needed.
Deleting the original lesson removes this safeguard and may require a full course reimport to recover the content.
✅ Do: Reach Out for Support
❌ Don’t: Hesitate to Ask Questions
CMS editing has a learning curve, and questions are expected.
If you need assistance, contact your Client Service Manager. We are committed to supporting your success and helping you make the most of your CMS editing capabilities.