Things are progressing reasonably well with Moodle at the moment. The pilot modules appear to have gone without too much of a hitch - a small evaluation is in the planning.
We have also begun our wider university staff development programme and feedback so far has been generally positive. Hopefully that will continue and by September everyone should be in a healthy position for adoption.
Moodle integration with other data sources is the next big milestone in the project plan. This will mean that the system will generate the module spaces which people have been requesting using the MoodleModules page. The process will also handle staff and student enrolment on the moodle modules, via LDAP. Daniel has developed a nice Camtasia Video to support this process.
We experienced some issues with the upgrade routine from Toodle > Moodle, which resulted in some course formats disappearing and some other plugins like the multiple files upload. Jim seems to be on top of this now.
We decided as a team that we would put a freeze on Moodle from August 1st, to ensure that we are all working with a stable and reliable system for September. The current service will also be getting moved over to a new infrastructure sometime soon, so we can be assured that the data and site structure are regularly backed up.
We've decided to remove the PDF online assignment tool from Moodle for several reasons, one of which is that the functionality is largely duplicated using Turnitin's Grademark tool.
A few other blocks that we experimented with have also been identified for removal, those being the mentees and the feedback blocks.
Finally, Blayn is working on the templates for Moodle and trying to get feedback from key people so that we can use it as a basis for producing themes for all faculties and some specific programmes.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
Assignment enhancement request
FROM SHIRLEY REAY
"When submitting assessed work for the online MA, it would be really useful if students were required to tick a box or some such to confirm that the work is all their own. – in a similar way to having to toggle a ‘I have read the terms and conditions box’ when buying online. I’d like to be able to put a statement to this effect in some of the programme documentation before validation. Do you know of any mechanisms in existence on Moodle which would allow us to do this please? I just need a brief description."
Request submitted to Jim via email on 19/4/2010
"When submitting assessed work for the online MA, it would be really useful if students were required to tick a box or some such to confirm that the work is all their own. – in a similar way to having to toggle a ‘I have read the terms and conditions box’ when buying online. I’d like to be able to put a statement to this effect in some of the programme documentation before validation. Do you know of any mechanisms in existence on Moodle which would allow us to do this please? I just need a brief description."
Request submitted to Jim via email on 19/4/2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
How to Moodle, Ray and Dave & Jobs!
A couple of weeks ago (March 9/10 and 15/16) we had some training, organised by a Moodle Partner called How to Moodle. We had 2 sessions, 1 the course creator workshop and 2, the administrator workshop.
The following is a list of jobs and things to investigate, that were identified throughout the workshops.
Blayn
•Change move arrows to a lighter colour against the block header colour.
•Can the gradiated background in the chat be removed and left as plain white or something. The dark text can’t be read against it.
•On the default theme, take out the topic outline text which appears at the top of the page.
•On default theme, figure out why, when uploading a file the choose option goes off the end of the page. It’s as though the table is set at a fixed size, larger than the size of the popup window. The same problem happens when using the quiz question matching question type. The answers appear to the far right of the screen.
•Change the link colour in the tab options on certain activities, because at the moment it is white on a white background making it invisible.
•Theme: look to change the theme once a user is in and make the top strip thinner. This is controlled in the php code. Logo and formal white both deal with this – so can be looked at as examples. http://docs.moodle.org/en/header_logo
Mark •Strip out the http:// from the add a file area. (setting in ADMIN)
•Add the role of auditor to the site and ensure that teachers can assign auditors to the roles.
•Remove Journal Activity as it is being stopped – do this for Maggie Holmes’s course.
•Make sure exercise is disabled
•Make sure workshop is disabled
•Do we need to archive in any way if we are having a lifecycle of 36 months for all courses?
o Is there a business requirement for extra storage space so that we can archive anything over 4 years old?
o What’s the university auditing requirements internally and externally (QAA)
•Site policy – need to set one up in moodle: Security > Site Policies – stick policy in the site files: Front page > Site files
•Show recent submissions in the Assignment module block. Should we disable this? It shows which users have submitted assignments in the Recent Activities block.
Jim
•Install the lightbox gallery – really nice photo gallery tool.
•Install quick comments block, quick way to ask questions via email - moodle.org
•Install the LRC block - allows tutors to add direct links to relevant journals etc
•Enabling open in new window for resources – option is set, but it doesn’t appear to take effect on document and web page files. See if there is a fix in Moodle Tracker.
•Feedback activity type (install)
•Questionnaire activity type (install)
•Install Comparative reports is an admin add on which allow you to look at more of the stats within moodle, such as most active users etc.
•Create a new language pack for Flexible Learning, so that we can set the assignment option for send for marking to something else.
•Manage updates on an ongoing basis. ‘composite’ version of moodle as each update is implemented.
•Use SVN to manage the version control – an open source product
•Need to figure out the upgrade strategy and how this will be managed
•Install a development server for testing and development purposes
•General Moodle Policies
Users never to be given course creator rights.
Teachers prevented from restoring courses from their own personal sites – this can be done, but must be requested through the e-Learning team.
•To consider
Should we disable email addresses being visible when users post forum messages?
Should we stop users from being able to see who has submitted an assignment in the latest news block?
The following is a list of jobs and things to investigate, that were identified throughout the workshops.
Blayn
•Change move arrows to a lighter colour against the block header colour.
•Can the gradiated background in the chat be removed and left as plain white or something. The dark text can’t be read against it.
•On the default theme, take out the topic outline text which appears at the top of the page.
•On default theme, figure out why, when uploading a file the choose option goes off the end of the page. It’s as though the table is set at a fixed size, larger than the size of the popup window. The same problem happens when using the quiz question matching question type. The answers appear to the far right of the screen.
•Change the link colour in the tab options on certain activities, because at the moment it is white on a white background making it invisible.
•Theme: look to change the theme once a user is in and make the top strip thinner. This is controlled in the php code. Logo and formal white both deal with this – so can be looked at as examples. http://docs.moodle.org/en/header_logo
Mark •Strip out the http:// from the add a file area. (setting in ADMIN)
•Add the role of auditor to the site and ensure that teachers can assign auditors to the roles.
•Remove Journal Activity as it is being stopped – do this for Maggie Holmes’s course.
•Make sure exercise is disabled
•Make sure workshop is disabled
•Do we need to archive in any way if we are having a lifecycle of 36 months for all courses?
o Is there a business requirement for extra storage space so that we can archive anything over 4 years old?
o What’s the university auditing requirements internally and externally (QAA)
•Site policy – need to set one up in moodle: Security > Site Policies – stick policy in the site files: Front page > Site files
•Show recent submissions in the Assignment module block. Should we disable this? It shows which users have submitted assignments in the Recent Activities block.
Jim
•Install the lightbox gallery – really nice photo gallery tool.
•Install quick comments block, quick way to ask questions via email - moodle.org
•Install the LRC block - allows tutors to add direct links to relevant journals etc
•Enabling open in new window for resources – option is set, but it doesn’t appear to take effect on document and web page files. See if there is a fix in Moodle Tracker.
•Feedback activity type (install)
•Questionnaire activity type (install)
•Install Comparative reports is an admin add on which allow you to look at more of the stats within moodle, such as most active users etc.
•Create a new language pack for Flexible Learning, so that we can set the assignment option for send for marking to something else.
•Manage updates on an ongoing basis. ‘composite’ version of moodle as each update is implemented.
•Use SVN to manage the version control – an open source product
•Need to figure out the upgrade strategy and how this will be managed
•Install a development server for testing and development purposes
•General Moodle Policies
Users never to be given course creator rights.
Teachers prevented from restoring courses from their own personal sites – this can be done, but must be requested through the e-Learning team.
•To consider
Should we disable email addresses being visible when users post forum messages?
Should we stop users from being able to see who has submitted an assignment in the latest news block?
Friday, 5 March 2010
Staff development, May - Oct 2010
We are currently planning the staff development programme for adopting moodle. Based on feedback, we will be organising subject-based sessions. This means that we can tailor sessions to the needs of the subject and focus on questions and issues pertinent to specific teams.
Amanda Hardcastle from Staff Development has kindly agreed to co-ordinate and arrange these sessions, which will be delivered by Mark Dransfield and Blayn Parkinson between May and October 2010.
The initial Fundamentals and Orientation sessions will cover the basics of moodle. The half day sessions will introduce attendees to the new environment of moodle and will cover some of the core functions, such as uploading files and organising content. By the end of the session attendees should be able to:
Be familiar with the moodle environment
Access moodle in a variety of ways
Organise the layout of their online courses
Upload learning materials and other content such as module handbooks
Add some basic activities, such as discussion forums
Understand how students are enrolled and how to control their access
Know where to look for help and advice
We will be following up these sessions with Carpe Diem sessions. These are more focussed inputs, aimed at spending devoted time with individuals, getting their courses ready for delivery by September.
From October onwards, we will be offering more in-depth sessions covering how to get more from moodle.
Amanda Hardcastle from Staff Development has kindly agreed to co-ordinate and arrange these sessions, which will be delivered by Mark Dransfield and Blayn Parkinson between May and October 2010.
The initial Fundamentals and Orientation sessions will cover the basics of moodle. The half day sessions will introduce attendees to the new environment of moodle and will cover some of the core functions, such as uploading files and organising content. By the end of the session attendees should be able to:
Be familiar with the moodle environment
Access moodle in a variety of ways
Organise the layout of their online courses
Upload learning materials and other content such as module handbooks
Add some basic activities, such as discussion forums
Understand how students are enrolled and how to control their access
Know where to look for help and advice
We will be following up these sessions with Carpe Diem sessions. These are more focussed inputs, aimed at spending devoted time with individuals, getting their courses ready for delivery by September.
From October onwards, we will be offering more in-depth sessions covering how to get more from moodle.
Responding to feedback
We've been listening to what people have been saying about moodle and have had some really good feedback from early adopters. Here are the things we've implemented from feedback:
1. Tested moodle for accessibility with HYAC and chosen the most accessible theme for users with difficulties.
2. Created a new theme which removes the numbering from the topic areas (requested by Alison Hayes)
3. Added a unicode font for the English Language and Linguistics programme (requested by Nikki Swift)
4. Implemented templates for the PDF assignment tool. This means that stuents can fill in form fields on a web page, such as name, student ID, assignment title etc. These fields are then automatically added to an assignment cover sheet in moodle.
5. Working on PDF e-submission so that files are converted to PDF for online marking at the point of submission. This means that a Word document can be submitted, and during the process, it is converted to PDF format, making it possible to electronically mark online.
6. Working on a batch file download for the PDF assignment types.
7. Working on an email receipt for students who have submitted assignments through moodle.
8. Added a new theme called 'autumn' for ELL (requested by Nikki Swift)
9. Looking into making some course icons larger (requested by Alison Hayes)
1. Tested moodle for accessibility with HYAC and chosen the most accessible theme for users with difficulties.
2. Created a new theme which removes the numbering from the topic areas (requested by Alison Hayes)
3. Added a unicode font for the English Language and Linguistics programme (requested by Nikki Swift)
4. Implemented templates for the PDF assignment tool. This means that stuents can fill in form fields on a web page, such as name, student ID, assignment title etc. These fields are then automatically added to an assignment cover sheet in moodle.
5. Working on PDF e-submission so that files are converted to PDF for online marking at the point of submission. This means that a Word document can be submitted, and during the process, it is converted to PDF format, making it possible to electronically mark online.
6. Working on a batch file download for the PDF assignment types.
7. Working on an email receipt for students who have submitted assignments through moodle.
8. Added a new theme called 'autumn' for ELL (requested by Nikki Swift)
9. Looking into making some course icons larger (requested by Alison Hayes)
Friday, 29 January 2010
Recent feedback around moodle
The icons which allow you to update, delete, move items etc, are too small.
When a user is about to enrol on a course, it usually tells them that they should have received an enrolment key from [name of tutor]. If there are multiple people enrolled on the course as teachers though, how do we ensure that the correct name is shown? I.E Mark and Blayn are teachers on a moodle course, Blayn is running and managing the course and wants students to know that he is the main contact. But when a user comes to enrol, the message says 'You should have received an enrolment key from Mark', since Mark is also a teacher on the course.
Can we share resources between courses? i.e link to the same files from two different courses in moodle.
When a user is about to enrol on a course, it usually tells them that they should have received an enrolment key from [name of tutor]. If there are multiple people enrolled on the course as teachers though, how do we ensure that the correct name is shown? I.E Mark and Blayn are teachers on a moodle course, Blayn is running and managing the course and wants students to know that he is the main contact. But when a user comes to enrol, the message says 'You should have received an enrolment key from Mark', since Mark is also a teacher on the course.
Can we share resources between courses? i.e link to the same files from two different courses in moodle.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Moodle enrolments
From now on, I am going to label any stuff we learn about how moodle can work better for us at YSJ with 'learning', that will help us track what we've learnt throughout the initial process. If there is an action associated, I will also use the tag 'action'.
Thinking about enrolments today, we discovered that at the moment, all courses(except those with enrolment keys) are open to anyone with an account in moodle.
This means that Joe Blogs could go to the create an account button, register with moodle then self enrol on any of the courses we have, which aren't protected with an enrolment key.
I can see a lot of benefits to this, but can also see that it might be a massive worry too, for example if someone external registers and then starts to post inappropriate stuff into forums.
I have found a setting in the courses which stops courses being 'enrollable', but it also prevents students who have an enrolment key from enroling as well.
ACTION
As an action from this, we will see if in his integration script, Jim can set all courses to be non-enrollable by default. We can then deal with any exceptions, where tutors request for enrolment to be enabled, on an ad-hoc basis.
Thinking about enrolments today, we discovered that at the moment, all courses(except those with enrolment keys) are open to anyone with an account in moodle.
This means that Joe Blogs could go to the create an account button, register with moodle then self enrol on any of the courses we have, which aren't protected with an enrolment key.
I can see a lot of benefits to this, but can also see that it might be a massive worry too, for example if someone external registers and then starts to post inappropriate stuff into forums.
I have found a setting in the courses which stops courses being 'enrollable', but it also prevents students who have an enrolment key from enroling as well.
ACTION
As an action from this, we will see if in his integration script, Jim can set all courses to be non-enrollable by default. We can then deal with any exceptions, where tutors request for enrolment to be enabled, on an ad-hoc basis.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
New Year Moodle update
We've been busy over the last few months sorting out a lot of things in the background of moodle. One thing you might notice is that moodle has been 'branded' now. The autumnal swish which goes across the page reflects the new DLD range of branding and the YSJ logo has been added.
We've also been looking at the assignment submission options and have installed a plugin which allows users to mark assignments online. For the standard e-submission tool, we noticed that there wasn't an option to download all assignments at once, like there is in Blackboard. So we have solved this problem as well, thanks to the moodle community and the sterling work of Jim in the EIS team.
So what next? Well, we've been working with academic staff across all faculties towards pilots in Semester 2, training has taken place in small groups and one to one sessions. The next big thing we're working on is automatic enrolments. That means getting staff and students automatically enrolled on the relevant courses in moodle, in the same way Blackboard works.
I'm also arranging further dissemination of moodle information via the plasma screens located around campus and have posted another notice to Blackboard, to tell people that QSEC and Academic Board have approved the move to moodle.
WE WILL BE MOVING TO MOODLE FROM SEPTEMBER 2010.
We've also been looking at the assignment submission options and have installed a plugin which allows users to mark assignments online. For the standard e-submission tool, we noticed that there wasn't an option to download all assignments at once, like there is in Blackboard. So we have solved this problem as well, thanks to the moodle community and the sterling work of Jim in the EIS team.
So what next? Well, we've been working with academic staff across all faculties towards pilots in Semester 2, training has taken place in small groups and one to one sessions. The next big thing we're working on is automatic enrolments. That means getting staff and students automatically enrolled on the relevant courses in moodle, in the same way Blackboard works.
I'm also arranging further dissemination of moodle information via the plasma screens located around campus and have posted another notice to Blackboard, to tell people that QSEC and Academic Board have approved the move to moodle.
WE WILL BE MOVING TO MOODLE FROM SEPTEMBER 2010.
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