Learner Controls is a tab under Account Settings where an account admin decides how strict or relaxed the learning experience is for everyone in their Empath account.
Who this is for
The Learner Controls tab is visible only to account admins. Managers and learners do not see it, and only an admin can change a setting. This is enforced by Empath, not just hidden in the interface, so a manager cannot change these settings by other means.
Every setting applies to all learners in your account. There is no per-learner or per-team override today.
Every toggle ships off, which means the platform behaves exactly as it always has. Turning a toggle on relaxes that restriction for your whole account. You never have to open this tab unless you want to loosen a default.
The three Playback & Completion settings
Each setting is a single on/off toggle. Off is the stricter default; on relaxes it.
Allow background-tab playback. Off: the video pauses when a learner switches to another tab or window. On: the video keeps playing in the background instead of pausing.
Allow seek-ahead. Off: learners cannot scrub past their furthest-watched point, so they cannot skip ahead. On: learners can scrub anywhere in the video.
Allow extended playback speed. Off: learner playback speed is held at the standard cap. On: learners get faster playback, up to 3x. Managers and Empath staff always have up to 5x, whether or not this setting is on.
What these settings do not affect
These toggles only apply to content Empath plays in its own player. Third-party or external content, such as SCORM, AICC, or embedded content that renders in its own player, is not covered.
How to change a setting
Go to Account Settings, then the Learner Controls tab. Open the Playback & Completion card. Flip the toggle you want. The change saves on its own, and you will see a short "Setting updated" confirmation next to the toggle. There is no separate Save button. Changes apply account-wide right away, and a learner who already has a video open may need to reload it.
Other cards on this tab
The tab also shows Content Visibility and Assignment cards. Both currently read "No controls configured yet" and will fill in as those features ship.
FAQ
Who can see and change Learner Controls?
- Only account admins. Managers and learners do not see the tab.
Do these settings affect SCORM, AICC, or embedded content?
- No. They only apply to content Empath plays in its own player.
When do changes take effect?
- Immediately after the toggle saves. A learner with a player already open may need to reload it.
What is the safest starting point?
- Leaving everything off, which is identical to how Empath has always behaved.