Sharing Defaults help streamline permission management by automatically assigning permissions when users are added as Course Contributors. Instead of manually configuring permissions for every contributor, administrators can define a recommended set of permissions that are applied automatically.

This approach helps ensure consistency across courses while still allowing flexibility when individual contributors need different levels of access.

What Are Sharing Defaults?

Sharing Defaults are the default permissions assigned to Course Contributors when they are added to a course.

Rather than requiring administrators to manually configure every permission for every contributor, Sharing Defaults establish a baseline set of permissions that are automatically applied.

Sharing Defaults help organizations:

• Standardize contributor access
• Reduce administrative effort
• Improve consistency across courses
• Accelerate course setup
• Minimize permission-related errors

By configuring Sharing Defaults thoughtfully, organizations can ensure most contributors receive the permissions they need immediately upon being added to a course.

How Sharing Defaults Are Applied

When a user is added as a Course Contributor, SimCapture automatically applies the permissions defined in the Sharing Defaults configuration.

These permissions become the contributor's starting level of access within the course.

For example, your organization may decide that Course Contributors should generally be able to:

• View recordings
• Manage participants
• Manage evaluations
• Run reports
• Manage course sessions

Instead of selecting these permissions manually every time a contributor is added, Sharing Defaults can apply them automatically.

This creates a more consistent experience for both administrators and contributors.

How Sharing Defaults Work

Sharing Defaults simplify contributor management by automating permission assignments behind the scenes.

Step 1: Add a Course Contributor

An administrator adds a user as a Course Contributor within a course.

Step 2: Default Permissions Are Applied

SimCapture automatically assigns the permissions configured in Sharing Defaults.

These default permissions determine the contributor's initial access level.

Step 3: Contributor Access Is Available

The contributor can immediately begin working within the course based on the permissions they have received.

Step 4: Adjust Permissions if Needed

Administrators can customize permissions for that specific contributor at any time.

This means defaults help reduce setup effort while still supporting course-specific requirements.

Recommended Default Permissions

The ideal Sharing Defaults configuration depends on your organization's workflow, but most organizations choose permissions that support common contributor responsibilities.

Typical Course Contributor permissions may include:

• Viewing recordings
• Managing participants
• Managing evaluations
• Running reports
• Managing course sessions

Organizations should evaluate which permissions most contributors require and use those as their default configuration.

Customizing Contributor Permissions

Although Sharing Defaults automate permission assignments, they do not prevent administrators from customizing permissions when needed.

This flexibility allows administrators to support a variety of course structures and contributor responsibilities.

Individual User Overrides

A specific contributor may require more or fewer permissions than the defaults provide.

For example:

• A faculty member may need full contributor permissions.
• A reviewer may only need recording access.
• A coordinator may need additional participant management permissions.

In these situations, permissions can be adjusted for the individual contributor without affecting other users.

Course-Specific Adjustments

Different courses often have different operational requirements.

For example:

• An evaluation-heavy course may require contributors to have broader evaluation permissions.
• A course focused primarily on content review may require fewer management permissions.

Administrators can modify contributor permissions within a specific course while keeping organization-wide Sharing Defaults unchanged.

Temporary Permission Changes

There may be situations where a contributor requires additional access for a short period.

Examples include:

• Assisting with course administration
• Supporting accreditation activities
• Reviewing session content during a specific project

In these situations, permissions can be temporarily expanded and later returned to their normal configuration.

Example Workflow

The following example demonstrates how Sharing Defaults typically work in practice.

1. Administrator Configures Sharing Defaults

The organization defines a standard set of permissions that should be assigned to Course Contributors.

2. New Course Contributor Is Added

An educator is added to a course as a Course Contributor.

3. Default Permissions Are Applied

The educator automatically receives the permissions defined in Sharing Defaults.

4. Permissions Are Adjusted if Needed

The administrator determines the educator needs additional reporting access and updates their permissions.

The contributor now has a customized permission set while other contributors continue using the default configuration.

Benefits of Using Sharing Defaults

Organizations with a large number of courses or contributors often benefit significantly from Sharing Defaults.

Benefits include:

Consistent Permission Assignments

Contributors receive a predictable set of permissions across courses.

Faster Course Setup

Administrators spend less time configuring permissions manually.

Reduced Administrative Effort

Common permission configurations do not need to be recreated repeatedly.

Improved Scalability

As the number of courses and contributors grows, access remains easier to manage.

Sharing Defaults and Session Access

Sharing Defaults apply to Course Contributors, not Session Contributors.

When a Course Contributor receives permissions through Sharing Defaults, those permissions may also influence the access they inherit in sessions associated with the course.

However, Session Contributors and Session Viewers are managed separately.

This distinction is important because:

• Course-level access is designed for ongoing participation.
• Session-level access is designed for individual sessions.
• Sharing Defaults do not automatically assign Session Contributor permissions.

For more information, see Course Permissions and Course Contributors and Session Contributors and Session Viewers .

Best Practices

Align Defaults with Common Workflows

Configure Sharing Defaults based on the permissions most contributors require.

Avoid creating overly restrictive defaults that require frequent manual updates or overly permissive defaults that grant unnecessary access.

Minimize Manual Updates

Well-designed Sharing Defaults should reduce the need for contributor-specific adjustments.

If administrators frequently modify contributor permissions, it may indicate the defaults should be reviewed.

Review Defaults Periodically

Contributor responsibilities often evolve over time.

Periodically review Sharing Defaults to ensure they continue to align with organizational workflows and course management practices.

Use Individual Customization When Needed

Sharing Defaults are intended to simplify management, not replace flexibility.

Do not hesitate to adjust permissions when a contributor's responsibilities differ from the standard configuration.

Common Questions

Are Default Permissions Permanent?

No.

Sharing Defaults are only applied when a contributor is added.

Administrators can modify contributor permissions at any time after the defaults have been assigned.

Can Contributors Have Different Permissions?

Yes.

Sharing Defaults provide initial permissions, but each contributor's permissions can be customized individually.

This allows administrators to tailor access based on responsibilities and operational needs.

Do Sharing Defaults Affect Session Contributors?

No.

Sharing Defaults apply to Course Contributors.

Session Contributors and Session Viewers are managed separately at the session level and are not controlled by Sharing Defaults.

If I Change Sharing Defaults, Will Existing Contributors Be Updated Automatically?

Sharing Defaults determine the permissions assigned when contributors are added. Existing contributor permissions should be reviewed individually if changes are needed after the defaults have been modified.

Related Articles

Learn more about how permissions work throughout SimCapture:

• Understanding SimCapture Permissions
• Course Permissions and Course Contributors
• Session Contributors and Session Viewers
• Organization-Based Location Access in SimCapture
• Troubleshooting Permission Issues in SimCapture