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Moodle Best Practices

Summary

Students tell us accuracy and consistency are important when it comes to course content in Moodle. Instructors can make a great first impression with students by following these easy Best Practices in Moodle.

7 Steps to Achieve (minimal best practices)

  1. Customize the Welcome to Section
  2. Post the course syllabus
  3. Enter a brief description and explanation of how you will use Moodle
  4. Insert an Image to Engage Students 
  5. Optionally: Add a Course Image to your Course Settings for Display on their Dashboard
  6. Delete or Hide any sections not in use.
  7. Use Moodle Gradebook
1) Customize the Welcome to name

With edit mode on, change the title of the first section your Welcome to area. Example: Welcome to IA640: Information Visualization! 

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2) Post the course syllabus

Somewhere within the Welcome Topic area, create an active link to the Syllabus or add an activity link or text and media page and link to the syllabus document. 

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Hint: Check that the syllabus is the correct version. Errors often occur as previous versions are imported.

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3) Enter a brief description and explanation of how you will use Moodleimage.png

Explain in a welcome paragraph using a friendly tone and being concise. Provide steps with details in Getting Started to help students know what to do next. with editing on, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the section to be edited.

4) Insert an Image to Engage Students 

Choose a picture that is visually relevant to your course and add it to the Welcome Topic area with the Getting Started steps. 

5)  Optionally: Add a Course Image to your Course Settings for Display on their Dashboard

This can be the same image as on your Welcome section or a different image. Students appreciate this image because they can easily find the course on their Dashboard.

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6) Delete or Hide any sections not in use.

How to: With editing turned on, click the ellipse to the right of any section you do not want students to see. 

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7) Use Moodle Gradebook

Set up the categories so you are ready to publish grades and feedback to students. They will thank you later!

Important Note: PLEASE remove/delete any old or default template images or information.

If you need any help designing or setting up anything in Moodle, please reach out to the TLC by sending an email to HelpDesk@clarkson.edu.

See also Moodle 4 & More: Where to Go for Self-Help


Seek Further Assistance

For additional assistance please contact, Clarkson OIT Help Desk;

Online: Get Help
Email: helpdesk@clarkson.edu
Call: 315-268-HELP (x4357)

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