> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbluebutton.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activity settings reference

> Comprehensive reference for all major settings available when adding or editing a BigBlueButton activity in Moodle.

Use this page as a technical reference for the full set of options you may see when adding or editing a BigBlueButton activity in a Moodle course.

The exact form can vary by Moodle version, BigBlueButton version, and installed subplugins.

<Note>This page focuses on the core BigBlueButton activity settings provided by Moodle. Subplugins and site-specific extensions can add, remove, or override additional options.</Note>

## General

### Instance type

The **Instance type** determines how the activity behaves for live sessions and recordings.

* **Room with recordings**: standard mode for running live sessions and publishing their recordings.
* **Room only**: live room without recording playback management in the activity.
* **Recordings only**: no new live room launch, but previously created/imported recordings remain accessible.

Use this setting when you need to convert a live room into a recordings portal, or when you want to disable live usage after delivery.

### Room name

The room name is the activity title shown in the course and on the activity page. Use a descriptive name (for example, week/topic + class type) so students can quickly identify the correct room.

### Show more...

Expanding **Show more...** in the General section exposes additional Moodle fields.

* **Description**: rich text editor for instructional context, joining notes, or policy reminders.
* **Display description on course page**: shows the description directly on the course page under the activity link.

Use this when you want students to see joining instructions without opening the activity first.

## Room settings

These settings control default room behavior for each live session.

* **Welcome message**: pre-populated message posted when users enter the room. Useful for agenda, etiquette, and first-step instructions.
* **Wait for moderator**: blocks viewer entry until a moderator joins. Useful for managed starts and exam supervision.
* **The session may be recorded**: enables recording controls in-session. Disable for privacy-sensitive meetings.

For operational guidance, see [Room settings](/integrations/moodle/teachers/room-settings).

## Recording view

* **Show only imported links**: filters the recording list to imported recording links only. Useful when you curate a subset of recordings for learners.

For broader recording workflows, see [Recording settings](/integrations/moodle/teachers/recording-settings).

## Lock settings

Lock settings define default participant restrictions when a session starts.

* **Disable webcams**
* **Disable microphones**
* **Disable private chat**
* **Disable public chat**
* **Disable shared notes**
* **Hide user list**

Use these defaults to enforce classroom format (lecture-style, assessment mode, or moderated discussion). Moderators can typically adjust locks during the live session if permissions allow.

## Presentation content

The **Presentation content** area controls what files are available at session start.

* **Pre-uploaded presentations**: define default slides/content before users join.
* **Drag-and-drop uploads**: quick file drop directly in the form.
* **File picker integration**: choose content from Moodle repositories.

Common file picker sources include:

* **Upload a file**
* **URL downloader**
* **Private files**
* **Content bank**
* **Server files**
* **Recent files**
* **Wikimedia integration**

Use repository sources to standardize content reuse across courses and reduce duplicate uploads.

For step-by-step instructions, see [Presentations](/integrations/moodle/teachers/presentations).

## Role assigned during live session

Role assignment maps Moodle identity context to BigBlueButton join roles.

### Role mapping between Moodle and BBB

Each mapping row has:

* an **assignee type** (who the rule applies to)
* a **BigBlueButton role** (how they enter)

### Assignee types

* **All users enrolled**: baseline rule for all enrolled participants.
* **Moodle role**: applies to selected Moodle roles (for example, Teacher, Non-editing teacher, Student).
* **User**: applies to a specific enrolled user.

### BBB roles

* **Viewer**: participant role with standard learner permissions.
* **Moderator**: facilitator role with management controls.

Use explicit mappings for co-teaching, teaching assistants, and role-exception handling.

For practical mapping examples, see [Participants and roles](/integrations/moodle/teachers/participants-and-roles).

## Guest access

* **Allow guest access**: permits users outside enrolled participants to join through the guest workflow.
* **Guests joining must be admitted by a moderator**: enables moderated lobby/admission behavior for guests.

Use these options for guest speakers, observers, or external evaluators while preserving class control.

## Session timing

Session timing controls the activity join window.

* **Open time**: earliest time users can join.
* **Close time**: time after which joining is blocked.

Use timing with or without **Wait for moderator** depending on whether you need strict calendar control, moderated entry, or both.

For scheduling patterns, see [Schedule a session](/integrations/moodle/teachers/schedule-session).

## Grade

The **Grade** section integrates the activity with Moodle gradebook workflows. Depending on site configuration, this can include grade type/scale behavior and completion-by-grade usage.

Use this when BigBlueButton participation should contribute to assessed outcomes.

## Common module settings

These are standard Moodle controls that still affect BigBlueButton activities.

* **Availability**: show/hide activity on course page.
* **ID number**: unique identifier for reporting/integration use cases.
* **Force language**: override language for this activity context.
* **Group mode**:
  * **No groups**
  * **Visible groups**
  * **Separate groups**
* **Grouping**: restrict activity context to selected group collection.
* **Group/grouping access restrictions**: combine with access rules to control who can view/join.

For detailed Moodle behavior, see [Common module settings](/integrations/moodle/teachers/common-module-settings).

## Restrict access

Use **Restrict access** for conditional availability.

* **Conditional availability** (overall rule container)
* **Date restrictions**
* **Grade restrictions**
* **Group restrictions**
* **Activity completion restrictions**

Combine rules to control visibility and entry based on progression policies.

## Completion conditions

Moodle completion determines how the activity is marked complete for each learner.

* **No completion tracking**
* **Manual completion**
* **Automatic completion**

BigBlueButton-specific automatic criteria can include:

* **View activity**
* **Attendance minutes**
* **Chat participation**
* **Talk participation**
* **Raised hand**
* **Poll votes**
* **Emojis**
* **Receive a grade**

You may also see **Timeline reminders** related to completion deadlines and learner notifications.

For administrator-level setup context, see [Activity completion](/integrations/moodle/admins/activity-completion) and [Completion rules reference](/integrations/moodle/reference/completion-rules-reference).

## Tags

Moodle **Tags** allow activity-level tagging for organization, search, and reporting workflows.

Use tags to standardize categorization across courses (for example, webinar, office-hours, assessment).

## Competencies

If competency frameworks are enabled, the **Competencies** section links the activity to institutional competency outcomes.

Use this when BigBlueButton sessions support tracked skills or program outcomes.

## Standard Moodle controls

At the bottom of the form, Moodle provides standard save/cancel actions:

* **Save and return to course**
* **Save and display**
* **Cancel**

Choose **Save and display** when you want to verify room behavior immediately after saving.

## Additional guidance

Expect differences between sites. The exact options shown can depend on:

* Moodle version
* BigBlueButton version
* installed subplugins/extensions

Additional enterprise or BNX-related settings may appear depending on your deployment and licensing profile.

If you need task-based walkthroughs, start with [Create and edit activity](/integrations/moodle/teachers/create-and-edit-activity) and the pages in the Moodle Teachers section.