Changes to Moodle will improve out-of-classroom learning

The beginning of the spring semester brings a wave of fresh faces and new beginnings. For Moodle, it brings new updates that enhance the teaching and learning experience and takes online learning a step further.

Faculty will have the ability to design assignments and interact with students on a new level. The new integrated video, audio and whiteboard tool within the Text Box Editor areas of Moodle allow faculty to personalize online discussions or assignments and make them more interactive.

For example, a professor could say, “Give me a three-minute response to the story you read, in a video, and stay in character of your choice.” The students may post all assignments in a discussion forum.

The Ally accessibility and alternative format tool is now available, meaning any file uploaded in Moodle from a student can be generated into any sort of file required. The formats include audio (mp3), electronic braille, HTML, ePUB for digital annotations and notetaking, and at least 25 translated languages. Ally assists instructors by providing tips on how to improve every file type’s overall accessibility.

"Both of these new tools provide additional functionality for students and faculty and serve the campus by enhancing interactivity and accessibility of content for all users," said Sherri Restauri, director of the Coastal Office of Online Learning (COOL).

All of these new tools are available to improve the out of classroom learning experience. COOL provides training and support for the Moodle LMS as well as supplemental digital learning tools for campus. The Moodle resources page provides additional tips and support, but direct questions can be sent to coastalonline@coastal.edu or 843-349-6932.

To submit technology integrations, recommendations for Moodle enhancements and requests for updates, visit this page.

In other Moodle news...

T4 training modules are now available for faculty and staff online via Moodle.

These courses will teach prospective T4 users how to navigate and make basic edits to their websites in the TerminalFour content management system.

In order to access and complete these trainings, login to Moodle at moodle.coastal.edu. Scroll down and select “Terminal Four Training.” Complete the segments. To complete the course, watch each video in its entirety.

Once completed, you will receive a completion badge and the site administrator for T4 will enable user credentials in the content management system.