New Features in Moodle 2

New Features in Moodle 2

Settings Block

The Settings block now contains Course Administration information. This is where you will find Edit settings (settings for the overall course), Grades, Backup, Question bank, etc. The Settings block is context-sensitive in Moodle 2; what appears in the Settings depends on what the user has open. See the images below.

Docking

Blocks can now be docked and moved off to the side of the screen into a tabbed format. The instructor decides what blocks belong in the course, but each user (instructor and student) controls what gets docked in their view of the course.

Clicking on the ‘Move this to the dock’ icon located at the top of each block will dock the block on the right side of the course. The ‘Undock all’ icon will bring the blocks back into full view. The docking function is explained to students in the Moodle 101 Tutorial for Students.

New Course Format

A new course format titled Folder View format is available in Moodle 2. Content is organized by folders in this view.

Clicking on the Folder icon opens the folder contents and keeps the other folders on the main page in full view.

Clicking on the Folder name allows the user to see only the contents of that folder.

Folder titles are automatically made into headings and the navigation system is also fully accessible.

File Management

Files can now be brought directly into the course using the new drag-and-drop feature. The image below shows a file ready to be dropped and uploaded into the course. You must have editing turned on in order to use this feature.

This method works well for most files (documents, spreadsheets), but is not recommended for image files as it inserts extra HTML code that can cause issues.

You can still manually add a file from the Resources list, but even in this process you have the option to drag and drop.

If you choose to manually add a file in this context (rather than dragging and dropping), you will have several options to choose from in the File picker.

You can select files from Server files (files you have used in the System in any course), Recent files (the last 50 files you have accessed in the System), your hard drive (by uploading a new file), and from Private files.

Private files are files you may use across courses that you want to have easy access to (e.g. a logo, class policy document, etc.). You can add a My Private Files block to your course so these files are even more convenient to access.

Additional Editing Tools

New editing tools are also available in Moodle 2 for activities and resources. You will see them when editing is turned on. From left to right in the image below, they are:

·  Edit document name –change the name of the file onscreen without going into the full settings.

·  Indent arrow – indents to right or left.

·  Move – drag and drop an item to another location on the page.

·  Edit document content – takes you to the full editing window of the item to change its settings.

·  Duplicate – makes a duplicate copy of the item that can be moved to another location on the page, which is handy for duplicating quiz settings, etc.

·  Delete – deletes an item.

·  Visible on/off – makes the item visible or invisible to students.

·  Assign roles –gives additional roles (or capabilities) to individual students for a specific resource or activity.

·  Personalized Learning Designer - can be set to watch for events in the course and perform appropriate actions according to rules set by the instructor.

Restrict Access Setting

In Moodle 2, all resources, activities, and even topics can be made available to students by using the Restrict access features in the item’s settings. This access to content can be set according to dates and times, according to grade conditions or according to any other conditions the instructors defines.

How to Learn More about Moodle 2

There are many new and improved features in Moodle 2. Use the resources below to find out more.

Moodle 2 Workshops

http://umonline.umt.edu/faculty/workshops.php

Video Tutorials

Moodle 2 Video Tutorials and Tip Sheets:

http://umonline.umt.edu/faculty/moodle_resources.php

Moodle 101 for Faculty

This tutorial covers Moodle 2 features mentioned in this handout in greater depth and discusses many other tools.

http://moodle.umt.edu/course/view.php?id=111

Moodle 101 for Students

Instructors can require students to complete this tutorial and upload their Certificate of Completion during the first week of class. A certificate is issued when a student passes the tutorial quiz with a grade of 80% or higher.

http://moodle.umt.edu/course/view.php?id=979

Supplement Request

Request an online supplement for your face-to-face course at this UMOnline website:

http://umonline.umt.edu/faculty/supplement_request.php

Accessibility Support and Assistance

Questions related to accessibility testing can be directed to Marlene Zentz, Instructional Design Consultant and Accessibility Specialist. or 243-6434