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Moodle Tips

This page will hold all of the tips and tricks that will make navigating and using Moodle much easier. This webpage will include text guides with supporting images. If you want to view videos, please visit out Moodle Tutorials Video Slide Deck. 


Exporting Class Calendars: Have you ever wanted add your school calendar to your personal phone calendar or merge them with another calendar to keep everything in one place? Find the steps below. Click here to view the video tutorial. 

Guided Instructions
  1. Head to your Clarkson dashboard on Moodle.com
  2. Locate your profile icon on the top right corner. Click on it, then click calendar. 
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.41.09 PM.png      Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.43.15 PM.png

       

  3. On the calendar page, scroll to the bottom and click 'import and export calendars"
    1.  On the next page click 'export calendars'
    2. Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.43.38 PM.png

      Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.45.13 PM.png

       

  4. On the Export Calendars page, you customize the calendar by choosing the type of events and the time period. 
    1. Click the export button once you are satisfied with your selections 
    2. Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.45.46 PM.png

  5. Once exported, click on the calendar download. 
    1. You will then be taken to your calendar app where you can choose how you want to insert the calendar.
    2. Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.48.35 PM.png
  6. Once you've formatted to your liking your all set! 
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-08 at 4.49.30 PM.png

Video Instructions

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Customizing Sidebar/Dashboard: Learn how to customize your homepage/sidebar with by adding widgets to view assignment dates, uploaded files, upcoming events, and more.

Dashboard Instructions

 

  1. On your Moodle dashboard, locate the edit mode button in the top right corner and click to turn it on. Once done so, you will see a green banner reading "Add a block".
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 3.14.24 PM.png
  2. Click on the "Add a Block button" and you will then see a pop up mentioning the different blocks you can add to your homepage. 
      1.  

        Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 2.30.09 AM.png

Sidebar Instructions

Your sidebar is like a mini version of the site. You can place pages or items in the sidebar as widgets. You can also choose what to toggle and the order to place widgets in.

  1. To access your sidebar click on the tab with an arrow on the right side of your homepage
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 2.11.31 AM.png
  2. Your sidebar will open up and you will be able to see information placed by your teacher
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 2.20.50 AM.png
  3. With the sidebar still open, locate the edit mode switch in the top right corner, next to your profile icon. Turning thi mode on allows you to edit everything from your sidebar, homepage and more. Once clicked, green boxes will appear. Your page should look like this:
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 2.27.06 AM.png
    2. Click on the "Add a Block button" on you sidebar, above the wellness section. You will then see a pop up mentioning the different blocks you can add to your sidebar. 
      1.  

        Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 2.30.09 AM.png

      2. Scroll down and add the "Recently Accessed Items" section. 
        1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 11.00.13 AM.png

      3. Once clicked, It will appear in your sidebar on top of the other blocks. Now you can see any recent documents/uploads you have accessed. You can repeat this step with any of the widget you want to see on your dashboard/sidebar
        1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 11.03.00 AM.png

      4. To change the order of the widget or block, drag the item up or down by the icon outlined in red. 
        1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 11.06.30 AM.png

Displaying Homework/Assignment Due Dates: Have your assignments and project due dates in one section on your dashboard. 

Guided Instructions
  1. On your Moodle dashboard, locate the edit mode button in the top right corner and click to turn it on. Once done so, you will see a green banner reading "Add a block".
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 3.14.24 PM.png
  2. Click on the "Add a Block button" and you will then see a pop up mentioning the different blocks you can add to your homepage. 
  3. Click on the "Upcoming Events" block
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-22 at 6.07.23 PM.png

  4. Now with this widget you can view all upcoming events or assignments on your calendar. You can also still access your calendar at the bottom of the widget with the text that reads 'Go to calendar' 

Turning on Notifications: Missing due dates and discussion posts? Learn how to turn on notification for items or sections you find important!

Guided Instructions

 

  1. Head to your profile in the top right corner and click on your initials icon
    1. On the drop down, click preferences 
    2. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 12.33.48 AM.png

  2. Under User Account, locate the notification preferences tab 
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 12.35.53 AM.png

  3. You will be taken to a page that displays the different sections you can create reminders for. You can toggle for each section and the subsections underneath and for each device type. The sections you can toggle are: Assignments, Feedback, Forum, Lessons, Questionnaires, Quiz, System, Self Enrollment, and more.  
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 12.51.59 AM.png

  4. You can further toggle the Email and Mobile settings by clicking on the settings icon next to each title. 
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 1.03.48 AM.png

    2. For the Email settings, you can choose the email format or where it gets sent too

      1. Screenshot 2025-06-15 at 1.06.08 AM.png


         

    3. For mobile settings, you will need to download the mobile at first Moodle app first to set things up and link your Clarkson account 

Emailing Your Classmates: Want to ask your classmates a question or maybe start a group chat to help study for the final? Learn how to email your classmates!

Guided Instructions
  1. Locate the participants tab underneath your course title banner
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-22 at 6.15.01 PM.png

  2. Find the student you would like to contact and click on their name
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-22 at 6.16.37 PM.png

  3. Underneath the 'user profile' section, you will see their email
    1. Screenshot 2025-06-22 at 6.18.57 PM.png