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Moodle - Staff

What is Moodle? (Staff)

Moodle is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that allows learning and teaching to continue outside of the classroom. It is not a program to replace face-to-face teaching, but to support it with a range of flexible online tools, as well as a place to find a module's learning resources.

In Moodle every module you teach on will have its own webpage which you can easily edit, giving your students up-to-date information, announcements, copies of handouts/PowerPoint presentations and links to relevant external websites. You can also build in activities such as discussion forums, quizzes, questionnaires, chat rooms and wikis.

Moodle is open source software, which has been adopted by educational institutions globally, including The Open University.

How do I access Moodle? (Staff)

To access Moodle you will first be required to go on a short practical training session with one of the ELearning Team. They will show you the basics on how to create, edit and update your module.

When you sign into Portia, you are automatically logged into Moodle. You will see your modules listed in the My Moodle window.

Above your module list you will see a link to the Moodle Homepage. This is where we post latest news and announcement on using Moodle at the University. Information may be regarding training, development and best practice.

What can I do on Moodle?

A Moodle page has a section for each week your module runs. You can add information in each section regarding each session, such as: location and time of lesson, overview of the session, links to handouts/PowerPoint presentations, links to external websites, videos etc.

You can also use Moodle for contacting and interacting with your students. You can create news announcements, discussion forums, chat rooms, wikis, questionnaires, quizzes etc.

Is there a good example of a Moodle page?

It is up to the individual lecturer regarding what they include on their Moodle page, although we suggest that you talk to your students and ask them what they would find useful.

The Academic Standards Committee has teamed up with the ELearning Team to create a template, which it suggests is good practice.

You can see this page here: http://moodle.chi.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=62851

I would like some training

You can book training on any aspect of Moodle by contacting the HR department or putting a request through using the Self Service link at the top of Portia.

How do I edit my Moodle page?

To edit a Moodle page you need to be enrolled as a lecturer, associate lecturer or administrator. You will then see a button called 'Turn editing on'.

You can book training on any aspect of Moodle by contacting the HR department or putting a request through using the Self Service link at the top of Portia.

How do I add people onto my Moodle page?

Students are added automatically, if you are missing students you will need to talk to Registry to find out why they are not present.

You can add members of staff with the Administration block - Assign roles.

What is the difference between pages for Modules and Programmes?

In May 2011, we introduced Moodle pages for each Programme. This is where you can post up programme related information and links which are not module specific.

If you don't want to use these new pages, you can hide them with the Administration block - Settings - Visibility - Hide.

Do we still need to produce handbooks?

The Academic Standards Committee is happy for lecturers to replace Module Handbooks with Moodle, although the Moodle page would have to include all of the necessary information.

A template has been created, which suggests good practice. You can see this page here: http://moodle.chi.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=62851

My Moodle window in Portia is blank

Your Moodle window may be blank if you have not had Moodle training. You are required to attend a short Moodle training session before you can access Moodle. You can book training on any aspect of Moodle by contacting the HR department or putting a request through using the Self Service link at the top of Portia.

After training, you will need to be manually added onto your modules. This can be done quickly by your department administrator or by contacting the ELearning Team via the Self Service link at the top of Portia. Please remember to include the module code(s) with your request.

I am missing a module

If you are missing a module you can be quickly added by your department administrator or by contacting the ELearning Team via the Self Service link at the top of Portia. Please remember to include the module code(s) with your request.

I cannot access Moodle (Staff)

If you have completed training and still cannot access Moodle, please contact the ELearning Team via the Self Service link at the top of Portia. Please remember to include the module code(s) with your request.

'Too many logins' message (Staff)

You are logged into Moodle automatically when you sign into Portia so you should never see this message. If you do, fully close down your web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome, etc) and then try again. If you get the message again, please talk to the help desk or report it via the Self Service link at the top of Portia.

GOLF