---
title: "Softcourse: a visual and engaging course format"
description: "[![Blue mascot](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png) **Update the look of your Moodle courses and encourage active learner engagement with the Softcourse course format!** [![Red mascot](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_rouge-584x1024.png)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png) ## Introduction to the Softcourse plugin Softcourse is a Moodle plugin developed by Pimenko. It enhances the presentation of…"
url: "https://pimenko.com/en/docs/free-moodle-plugins/softcourse/"
updated: "2026-06-15"
category: Moodle Marketplace Free Plugins by Pimenko
---

# Softcourse: a visual and engaging course format

[![Blue mascot](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png)

**Update the look of your Moodle courses and encourage active learner engagement with the Softcourse course format!**

[![Red mascot](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_rouge-584x1024.png)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2023/12/Mascotte_bleue-584x1024.png)

## Introduction to the Softcourse plugin

Softcourse is a Moodle plugin developed by Pimenko. It enhances the presentation of courses by **displaying sections as visual maps**, thereby providing a more **engaging and intuitive** learning experience for students.
With its **customizable images**, progress tracking, quick-start button, and activity count display, it promotes an educational approach centered on visual engagement and ease of navigation.

     [Available at  Moodlemarketplace.](https://marketplace.moodle.com/)

**When should you use the Softcourse format?**

- For courses that require an aesthetic approach;
- For linear educational pathways, in which activities must be carried out in a specific order (progressive discovery);
- For lessons with a simplified structure (no subsections, few activities).

### About Softcourse

- **Official plugin name**: format_softcourse
- Developers : Pimenko Team
- **Version**: Moodle 4.5 and later, compatible with Moodle 5.1

Any questions ? Fancy finding out more?

## Features of the Softcourse course format

### Sections displayed as visual cards

Softcourse transforms Moodle's traditional look by **presenting each section as an attractive visual card**.

**Smooth, elegant animations** appear when the user hovers over a section map. The shading becomes darker, progress information and the number of activities gradually appear, and a "play" icon becomes visible. These visual effects create an **interactive experience** that encourages users to explore the content.

Each card combines:

- a **customizable image** that displays a **"play" button** when hovered over, allowing users to go directly to the first activity in the section;
- **the section title**;
- **the section description (**if provided);
- a progress bar showing the **user's progress in**this section (number of activities, percentage of activities completed) that appears only when the mouse hovers over it.

This visual layout allows learners to **navigate** the course **intuitively** and **better identify the content** of each section.

![section in soft format (hover to view)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_section.png)
Example of a section in Softcourse format

![section in soft format (hover to view)](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_section_survol.png)
Example of a section in Softcourse format, as seen when hovering over it with the mouse

### Customizable images for each section

Teachers can **upload and manage custom images** for each section of the course. In edit mode, icons appear when you hover over **an image**, allowing you to **edit or delete it**. This feature helps create a **consistent visual identity** and makes the course more appealing. Images are displayed on a colored background (the platform's primary color, defined in Site Administration >, Layout >, Theme >, General Settings) if they do not fill the entire box or if they have a transparent background, for example.

!["Edit Image" button](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_modif_image.png)

### Quick Start Button

![Start button](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_bouton_commencer-1.png)

A **"Get Started" button** is available on the course homepage to allow students**to quickly access the content**. In addition, each section tab is clickable and **links to the first activity** in that section, making navigation smooth and intuitive without the need for unnecessary searching.

#### ![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2025/09/icone_oeil_titre_h4.png)How do I customize the Start button?

In fact, you can change the label of the "Start" button. To do this:

- Go to**Site Administration** > **General** > (tab) **Language** > **Language Customization**
- Select "French"

![edit section](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2024/03/personnalisation_langue.png)

- Click the "**Open language package for editing**" button.

![Settings page section](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2024/03/personnalisation_langue2.png)

- Select **the string "format_softcourse.php"**, **enter "Start"** in the "**String containing"**tab, and click "Show strings".

![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/personnalisation_langue_commencer-1.png)

- The text box for the "Start" button in the Digidago format will appear; all you have to do is **enter the replacement text** of your choice and **save**.

![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/personnalisation_langue_commencer_2-1024x413.png)

### Customizable Course Introduction

Instructors can add a **custom introductory message** that appears at the top of the course page. This feature allows you to **provide context for the course**, outline the learning objectives, or add important information for learners as soon as they arrive on the page.

#### ![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2025/09/icone_oeil_titre_h4.png)Examples

![sample introductory text](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_introduction-1.png)

       [https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_introduction-1.png](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_introduction-1.png)

![Sample introductory text 2](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_exemple_intro.png)

       [https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_exemple_intro.png](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_exemple_intro.png)

#### ![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2025/09/icone_oeil_titre_h4.png)How do I do that?

Go to the "Course Format" tab in the course settings:

![](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_texte_introduction.png)

### Options for hiding sections

Softcourse offers two configuration options to customize the course display:

- **Hide all sections**: Hides all sections of the course on the main page. The user must therefore click the "Start" button

![Section options](https://pimenko.com/content/uploads/2026/02/format_softcourse_sections_cachees-1.png)

**Note:** This option is recommended when the course is designed as a guided journey with a step-by-step progression. The learner first lands on an introductory page and starts the course by clicking the "Start" button, without immediately seeing all the activities. It is particularly well-suited for linear training programs, beginners, short modules, or structured learning scenarios.
For example, for courses that include:

- A page containing an introductory video, followed by a content page detailing the topic, followed by a final quiz;
- Several pages containing Storyline modules (activities outside of Moodle that already contain all the necessary information, such as quizzes, etc.), to be completed in a specific order;
- ...

- **Hide Section 0**: Hides only the general section (Section 0) of the course

These options allow instructors to **precisely control what is visible** on the course homepage.

### Responsive and compatible design

Softcourse was built with a **fully responsive design** that automatically adapts to different screen sizes (computers, tablets, smartphones). The plugin is **compatible with various Moodle themes**, including the Boost theme, and integrates seamlessly with**Moodle's native course directory** for optimal navigation.

## Conclusion

Softcourse is a powerful tool for **modernizing the look and feel of Moodle courses**, with a focus on **attractive visual design** and **intuitive navigation**. By combining modern design with advanced educational features (progress tracking, activity tracker, quick access to content), it facilitates an **engaging learning experience** and encourages active learner participation. This allows teachers to create **visually appealing and well-structured learning paths** without requiring advanced technical skills.