Making Your Moodle Course Student Friendly Hala Esmail Faculty Technology Center Reduce the Drama and Trauma:

Spring 2013 Moodle Statistics

Fall 2011 Moodle Statistics

Sharing expectations with students Organizing your course Communicating with students Providing assistance for students & instructors Overview

Sharing Expectations with Students

Tips for Sharing Expectations Provide info clearly and concisely Reference as need arises

Share Expectations: Syllabus Goal/purpose of course Pre-requisites Learning outcomes Requirements Grading scale and policies

Share Expectations: Labels & Item Descriptions Clarify a requirement Serve as a reminder Provide a due date

Share Expectations: News Forum students and leave a copy in the course Notify students of a new posting Provide a reminder for an assignment

Share Expectations: Quickmail Serve as a reminder to a student or entire class Respond to a student’s question

Share Expectations: Gradebook Enter grades for students Offer individualized feedback

Share Expectations: Rubric

Organization

Get Organized! Organize course simply and logically Format by week or topic Inform students on how to navigate the course

Get Organized! Organize course simply and logically Format by week or topic Inform students on how to navigate the course

Weekly Format

Topics Format

Viewing on Mobile Devices (Android phone- with headings) (iPad- no headings)

Get Organized! Organize course simply and logically Format by week or topic Inform students on how to navigate the course

Graphics and Color Choices Use color and graphics to organize Use graphics to inform, not distract (remember copyrights, too!) Use color combinations/fonts which are easy to read

Use Color and Graphics to Organize

Graphics and Color Choices Use color and graphics to organize Use graphics to inform, not distract (remember copyrights, too!) Use color combinations/fonts which are easy to read

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Graphics and Color Choices Use color and graphics to organize Use graphics to inform, not distract (remember copyrights, too!) Use color combinations/fonts which are easy to read

Color Combinations and Font Choices High contrast between text and background is easier to read. Some type styles are easier to read than others and others ! Low contrast between text and background is difficult to read. Some color combinations clash and seem to vibrate. Text over a photo or texture can be difficult to read.

Other Tips: Links to resources and activities are descriptive File size matters (video, images, PowerPoint) File formats are "universal"

Naming of Resources/ Activities

Other Tips: Links to resources and activities are self- describing and meaningful File size matters (video, images, PowerPoint) File formats are "universal"

Videos Stream your videos – YouTube – Kaltura Avoid embedding videos on front page Provide captions/ transcripts

Other Tips: Links to resources and activities are self- describing and meaningful File size matters (video, images, PowerPoint) File formats are "universal"

Communication

…but…I didn’t know I was supposed to check my ….

- Tips and Suggestions Provide a clear statement of: How often students should check How often YOU will check Expect a response by… SPAM/ junk mail filter

Other Communication Tips Create a ‘Q&A’ forum Multiple forums (technical, assignments, etc.) Students can answer each other’s questions Be redundant with instructions Multiple places

Assistance for Students and Instructors

ITS Help Desk Website: Phone: (225) (578-DESK) Frey Computing Services Center 102 Frey Information Commons 141 Middleton *Note: hours may change for holidays/breaks

Workshops and Webinars Moodle 2 Express Moodle 2 Basics and Beyond Moodle 2 Gradebook Moodle 2 : Advanced Features Engaging Your Students with Moodle 2 Forums Moodle 2: Beyond Multiple Choice Quizzes Using Moodle 2 for Assignments Customized workshops…

Us! Come by: 109 Middleton Library anytime between 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday- Friday Phone: (225) , Option 1 Website:

Discussion Thank you for attending! Hala Esmail