Moodle has a number of activities and resources available, here is an overview of the ones you may need:
Resources
Book
The book module enables you to create a multi-page resource in a book-like format, with chapters and subchapters. Books can contain media files as well as text and are useful for displaying lengthy passages of information which can be broken down into sections.
A book may be used
- To manage complex course material organised by chapter
- To allow students to download and print
- As a showcase portfolio of student work
File
This option allows you to make a file available to your students to access, prompting them to download it.
Note that students need to have the appropriate software on their computers in order to open the file.
A file may be used:
- To share PowerPoint slides
- To share lesson handouts
- To provide draft files of certain software programs (eg Photoshop .psd) so students can edit and submit them for assessment
Folder
Folders can be added to display a number of related files inside a single folder, reducing scrolling on the module page. A zipped folder may be uploaded and unzipped for display, or an empty folder created and files uploaded into it.
A folder may be used:
- For a series of files on one topic, for example a set of past examination papers in pdf format or a collection of image files for use in student projects
- To provide a shared uploading space for teachers on the course page (keeping the folder hidden so that only teachers can see it)
URL
URL enable lecturers to provide a web link as a course resource. Anything that is freely available online, such as websites, documents or images, can be linked to; the URL doesn’t have to be the home page of a website. The URL of a particular web page may be copied and pasted or a teacher can use the file picker and choose a link from a repository such as Flickr, YouTube or Wikimedia (depending upon which repositories are enabled for the site).
Note that URL can also be added to any other resource or activity type through the text editor.
Page
The page resource enables you to create a web page resource using the text editor. A page can display text, images, sound, video, web links and embedded code, such as Google maps.
Advantages of using the page module rather than the file module include the resource being more accessible (for example to users of mobile devices) and easier to update.
For large amounts of content, it’s recommended that a book is used rather than a page.
A page may be used
- To present the terms and conditions of a course or a summary of the course syllabus
- To embed several videos or sound files together with some explanatory text
Text and media area
Use this to display text and multimedia on your course page.
You can use a Text and media area to:
- Split up a long list of course activities with a subheading or an image
- Display an embedded video directly on the course page
- Add a short description to a course section.
Activities
Assignment
The Moodle assignment activity enables a teacher to communicate tasks, collect work and provide feedback.
Students can submit any digital content (files), such as word-processed documents, spreadsheets, images, or audio and video clips. Alternatively, or in addition, the assignment may require students to type text directly into the text editor. An assignment can also be used to remind students of ‘real-world’ assignments they need to complete offline, such as art work, and thus not require any digital content. Students can submit work individually or as a member of a group.
Please note that all summative assessments need to have the Turnitin plagiarism plugin settings enabled.
Chat
The Chat tool gives a simple way for participants to share a real-time discussion within a Moodle course. It can be a challenge at first to see how to get the best out of them, but when used properly, it can provide real-time interaction and collaboration between students.
Some of the ways in which Chat can be used includes:
- Offering regular tutorial support: lets you be online to chat at certain times, ready to take questions or offer support to your students.
- Create a back-channel: allow students to ask their questions during a lecture, performance or video, for discussion afterwards.
- Online break-out sessions: lets you ask students to collaborate online in break-out discussions. This works well in online sessions/webinars.
Interactive Examples:
https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/choice/view.php?id=591461
https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/chat/view.php?id=591462
Checklist
The checklist activity allows a teacher to create a checklist / todo list / task list for their students to work through.
Checklists can be used to control access to additional resources or activities. For example, a student can only see the Powerpoint slides if they have 100% on their checklist.
Choice
The Choice activity is an easy way of asking one simple question and giving a range of possible answers. It works well to get basic feedback on a question or to ask for an opinion.
This activity can be used as a flipped classroom task, where you can gauge peoples opinions and the discuss them within the lecture.
Interactive example https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/choice/view.php?id=591447
How to add a Choice activity
- Ensure editing is switched on, choose a section or week within your course and click ‘Add an activity or resource’
- Choose ‘Choice’ and click ‘Add’
- Under the ‘General’ section you’ll need to enter details into required fields (indicated by a *), add a ‘Choice name’ and ‘Description’
- Under the ‘Options’ section, please add as many option as required
- To save, select ‘Save and return to course’
Database
The database activity allows you or your students to collate, display and search a dataset of records on the topic of your choice. It can be set up by you for your students to use the dataset, or by asking your students to build the database from their research findings. The database will accept almost any kind of entry including text, files, images, URLs and dates.
Databases have many uses:
A database can be used by you to inform your students of news or opportunities. Students can use one to record data found by research during a field-trip or any other research activity, which can then be shared. Access can be done individually or on behalf of a group.
You will need to take some care with the initial set up of your database, but once established they are easy for the student to access and work with. As soon as it is made, the database can be searched and viewed by either individual item or by list.
Again, like the Glossary, the key to effective use of this tool is to use it as a collaboration tool for your students; to collate and share their research results, rather than a simple delivery tool.
Forum
Forums give an easy and fun way for students and lecturers to communicate, and for students to exchange ideas between themselves. They can be used for one-way communication from lecturer to student, for guided teaching, and as an open discussion area for students, where they can support the growth of an online learning community.
Forums can be set up to support their required use (through the ‘Forum type’ section):
- Standard forum displayed in a blog-like format: Each Moodle Course has a News or Announcements Forum by default. This provides a one-way communication between lecturer and students. All posts are also emailed to students and sent to the mobile app, but does not allow a response from the students.
- Standard Forum for general use: This is the standard forum type and allows two-way communication between lecturer and students.
- A Single simple discussion: Lecturer asks a question and students can answer it, but can not start their own thread.
- Each person posts one discussion: Students are limited to just one post, but everyone can reply to it.
- Q & A Forum: Students must first make a post, before being able to see other’s posts.
Glossary
The glossary activity module enables participants to create and maintain a list of definitions, like a dictionary, or to collect and organize resources or information.
A teacher can allow files to be attached to glossary entries. Attached images are displayed in the entry. Entries can be searched or browsed alphabetically or by category, date or author. Entries can be approved by default or require approval by a teacher before they are viewable by everyone.
A teacher can allow comments on entries. Entries can also be rated by teachers or students (peer evaluation). Ratings can be aggregated to form a final grade which is recorded in the gradebook.
Glossaries have many uses which includes being:
- A collaborative bank of key terms
- A ‘getting to know you’ space where new students add their name and personal details
- A ‘handy tips’ resource of best practice in a practical subject
- A sharing area of useful videos, images or sound files
- A revision resource of facts to remember
The key to the Glossary is to think of it not as a device for ‘giving’ information but as a device for students to use to collate and prove their own research. It is a collaboration tool rather than a presentation tool.
Group Choice
Lets participants create and select groups. Features:
- Participant can create groups, give them a description and set them password protected, if wanted
- Participants can select and join groups
- Supervisors may be assigned to groups
- Teacher can export course group list as a csv-file
- Full compatibility with basic Moodle groups: groups may be created by other means if needed, supports group assignment submissions etc.
H5P
The H5P activity enables you to create interactive content such as Interactive Videos, Question Sets, Drag and Drop Questions, Multi-Choice Questions, Presentations and much more.
In addition to being an authoring tool for rich content, H5P enables you to import and export H5P files for effective reuse and sharing of content.
User interactions and scores are tracked using xAPI and are available through the Moodle Gradebook. Note that it is currently possible for people with programming skills to cheat in H5P interactions and obtain the full score without knowing the correct answers. H5Ps must not be used for exams or similar.
Panopto
The Panopto activity enables a teacher to embed a Panopto video directly within your course.
By using the Panopto activity (rather than a URL resource), students are guaranteed to have the correct permissions to view the video.
Quiz
The quiz activity enables a teacher to create quizzes comprising questions of various types, including multiple choice, matching, short-answer and numerical.
The teacher can allow the quiz to be attempted multiple times, with the questions shuffled or randomly selected from the question bank. A time limit may be set.
Each attempt is marked automatically, with the exception of essay questions, and the grade is recorded in the gradebook.
The teacher can choose when and if hints, feedback and correct answers are shown to students.
Quizzes may be used
- As mini tests for reading assignments or at the end of a topic
- As exam practice using questions from past exams
- To deliver immediate feedback about performance
- For self-assessment
Please note that Moodle quizzes should be used only for formative assessment and not as a summative test or a replacement for an exam
Scheduler
The scheduler activity helps you in scheduling appointments with your students.
Teachers specify time slots for meetings, students then choose one of them on Moodle. Teachers in turn can record the outcome of the meeting – and optionally a grade – within the scheduler.
Group scheduling is supported; that is, each time slot can accommodate several students, and optionally it is possible to schedule appointments for entire groups at the same time.
Scheduler activities may be used for:
- For booking tutorial slots
- For arranging seminars times
Scheduled appointments show up on your Moodle calendar, which you can import into your Outlook calendar (though it will appear as a separate calendar, and you won’t be able to push appointments from Outlook to Moodle).
Moodle offers a number of options for students to build their own web-pages. They can be separated into those which are designed to be used by an individual user and those to be used by a group. Some of the tools available for this include: OU Wiki and OU Blog.
The Wiki and OU Wiki activities
A wiki is a simple way of allowing your students to work together to create a webpage or website. Students can create these pages together from a browser inside Moodle, using either of these tools. A wiki will start with one front page, and then students can add new pages by simply creating a link to them.
The name Wiki comes from the Hawaiian term ‘wiki wiki’ which means ‘very fast’ and this tool is designed to be a fast and easy way of allowing a group to create web-content. The Wiki is a powerful tool that supports collaborative work, allowing the whole class to edit, without giving exclusive editorial control to any one person.
At Plymouth University, we have two Wiki Tools, the original Moodle Wiki and a slightly more advanced version called OU Wiki.
Both these tools provide a very simple wiki experience, and are easy for you and your students to work with. They both work in exactly the same way, using the same syntax. It is recommended that users go for the OU Wiki over the other.
wiki example https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/wiki/view.php?id=591464
OU Wiki example https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/ouwiki/view.php?id=591465
OU Blog and Journal
The Moodle OU Blog and Journal both provide easy ways to allow your students to create personal reflection documents, however they each work in a slightly different way:
OU Blog allows your students to create a time-based website of their thoughts or reflections, which can be set up to be either visible only to tutor or public to all other members of the cohort. Normally these are use on an individual basis, but can be edited by groups. It is possible to upload images and other media/files into the blog. Posts are entered in chronological order, and can be edited or deleted by the student, but remain visible to administrators. If made public, other students may be allowed to comment on their colleagues posts.
Journal is a simple way of getting students to create short online test assignments, which can be edited and refined over time, with feedback from the marker. It only supports online text and images, but not media or other uploaded files. Journal is always private and shared only with the tutor, who can provide feedback. We do not recommend using Journal, as this functionality is available from other tools such as OU Blog.
My OU Blog example https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/oublog/view.php?id=591467
My Journal example https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/mod/journal/view.php?id=591468
