One page cheat-sheet for a teacher who is creating a Moodle course

Access to Moodle:

Even though Moodle is open-source “free” software, you need to have access to a Moodle web server along with Moodle administrative support. Here at PHS, yours truly is the contact person. I can give you a login name and password to become a Moodle teacher for the course(s) you specify.

Our Moodle website is: http://549online.org

Begin:

Once you are set up as a teacher, you need to set up your Moodle course. First thing to do is go to the Administration block, click on Settings, and decide if you want your course based upon weeks or topics. Once decided, Save.

The two aspects of Moodle that will initially consume most of your time are Add a resource and Add an activity. You can work with these features only if you Turn editing on.

Add a resource:

The resources you add can either be files you have already created elsewhere (Word docs. ppts., etc.), or content you create right within Moodle.

Files you have already created: Probably the best way is to go to Settings at the Administration block and click on Files. Follow the steps for uploading a file. Once you have files uploaded, you will need to Add a resource and choose Link to a file or web site. The files you have previously uploaded should be available for you to Choose and place into a week or topic. Linking to a web site is as simple as typing or pasting in the web address.

Content you create in Moodle: Aside from Link to a file or web site, the two most useful resources are Insert a label and Compose a web page. Use Insert a label if you want instructions to your students to appear right on your course homepage when they first view it. Use Compose a web page when you want to create some text, or some text along with imported photos or other graphics.

Add an activity:

The activities are the aspect of Moodle where you request students to do something and then have them let you know about it. The three activities I think most powerful initially are Assignment, Forum, and Quiz.

Assignment: Students can access an electronic worksheet you make available to them, add their information or answers to that worksheet and upload it back to you. (Upload a single file) Or, you can give the students a prompt or question, and they can answer it right there at Moodle. (Online text)

Forum: you pose a question or make a statement to which students can respond. Typically with forums, students will have the opportunity to see and react to Forum responses by their peers. (Try A single simple discussion under Forum Type) I think a good initial use of Forum would be to ask students an essential question for you course (e.g. “Why would I ever want to learn Geometry?) and see what responses/reactions you receive.

There is much more that Moodle offers. There even may be some Moodle elements that are much more powerful for you than the ones mentioned above. This cheat sheet, however, will get you going. Ask me questions along the way. And once you have created some content and activities, I can help you with the student enrollment process. Fare well.

Tomporowski