1. Request a Moodle Shell
If you wish to re-use an old course shell, you must request a new course shell for the semester through MyPage following the directions below, then check on the Moodle support site for how to import your content.
Before you start
- You must have a NetLink ID and password.
- You must be designated as the instructor of the course in Banner. Please confirm with your department that this information has been forwarded to Scheduling. You cannot complete the LMS selection process unless this has been completed.
- If you are in the Faculties of Business or Human & Social Development, do not select your LMS using this process. Contact your department.
- All course requests are completed through My page.
- If you require a cross-listed course, first request a course shell through My page for each section. Then contact us and request these sections be cross-listed. Provide (1) the CRNs for each section; and (2) which LMS you want - Moodle is the only choice.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions to request your Moodle shell and/or class Mailman mailing list using the My Courses channel within your My page area of the UVic homepage (uvic.ca).
You may click on each image to enlarge it.
1. Signing in to UVic
In your browser, go to https://www.uvic.ca and click on Sign in to UVic: 
Log in using your NetLink ID and Password:
2. My Courses Channel
Click on the Current students, faculty & staff tab: 
Scroll down the page until you see your My Courses channel.
If you cannot see the My Courses channel contact the Computer Help Desk.
The current term will be displayed adjacent to Select Term. To choose a different term, click on the drop down menu arrow, select the correct term and then click on the ‘list courses’ button to update the list of courses you are designated to teach in Banner for the term selected. If your course is not listed, contact the appropriate person in your department (usually the administrative assistant) to ensure you have been registered as the course instructor in Banner.
3. Selecting your LMS
Click on the Set up LMS link adjacent to the course you which to choose an LMS tool:
If you wish to also have a Mailman Mailing List for a course contact the Computer Help Desk.
Click the Continue button.
On the next screen click the Confirm button to complete or click on the Cancel button to terminate your course shell selection request:
Your courses will be listed indicating the LMS chosen:
2. Set Up Your Teaching Space
Settings
Course settings are accessed through the Administration Block. It contains some very important features that instructors control including:
- Allowing student access to your course
- Choosing the format of the centre block (for example: weekly or topic)
- Changing the number of weeks/topics
- Choosing the theme (background colour skin)
- Change the language
It is the instructors responsibility to know and use these settings. For instance, when a course shell is created for you, the default setting is that students cannot access the course. It is up to you, as the instructor to allow students access. See the tab below: Availability: Allow Student Access.
View an orientation video on Course settings (approx 6 minutes), by selecting the video image directly to the right. In addition, we provide written documentation below.
Selecting Settings under the course administration block will open a new window. The first three entries cannot be changed. They are administered through the Banner system.
- Full Name: The name that students will select to enter your course. This setting is defined by semester, department, course number, and CRN Example: 201005 SOCW 527 (31380)
- Short Name: A shorthand way that the UVic Moodle system refers to a course. For example: 20100531380. It is combined with the Course ID number.
- Course ID Number: The number of a course is used when matching this course against external systems. This unique ID is used for automatic enrollments into your course.
However, there are many settings that you can decide upon. The following tabs review each of these important settings.
With any course setting changes you make, always remember to select the Save changes button at the bottom of the page.
General
Summary: Allows you to write a brief description of your course. We highly advise you to keep this description brief
Format: The two most popular formats are Weekly and Topics
- Weekly: The course is organised week by week, with a clear start date and a finish date. Each week consists of activities.
- Topic: The course is organised into topic sections. You can add a title to each topic block.
Course Start Date: If using the weekly format this will affect the display date of the weeks in your centre block area. The first week will start on the date you set. This setting will not affect courses using the topics format.
This setting does not automatically open the course for student access!
Hidden Sections: This option allows you to decide how the hidden sections in your course are displayed to students. By default, a small area is shown (in collapsed form, coloured gray) to indicate where the hidden section is, though students still can not actually see the hidden activities and texts. If you choose, these can be completely hidden, so that students don't know sections of the course are hidden from them.
News items to show: If you add the Latest News side block to your course, you can indicate how many news items you would like to show in the block. The default is one.
Show gradebook to students: If using Moodle Grades, make sure this setting is set to yes.
Activity Reports: Activity reports are available for each participant that show their activity in the current course. As well as listings of their contributions, these reports include detailed access logs. Instructors always have access to these reports, using the button visible on each person's profile page, and also through the administration block. It is only is you wish students to see their own report that you may wish to set this to, yes.
Maximum Upload Size: This setting defines the largest size of file that can be uploaded by students in this course. we recommend you leave it at the default, as this size is the largest.
Force Theme: You have a wide variety of themes to choose from. A theme is essentially a colour or department defined skin that your course will take on. The default is the UVic blue theme. You may wish to experiment with the variety of themes available.
Is this a Meta Course? This setting cannot be changed. A meta course is a cross-listed (joined) course. For more information, please see: Using Metacourses
Groups
If using groups within your course, group mode can be defined at two levels:
Course level (this setting): The group mode defined at the course level is the default mode for all activitiess defined within that course. You must also create groups for your course this this setting to take effect.
Activity level: Each activity that supports groups can also define its own grouping mode. If the course is set to force group mode then the setting for each activity is ignored.
It is not necessary to change the default setting No groups, even if you are planning on using groups in your course. You have the opportunity for every activity within your course to decide whether to use groups or not.
Availability: Allow student access!
Availability: Allow your students to actually enter your course.
By default all courses created in Moodle, are not available to students. It is the instructors responsibility to change this setting to make this course available to students, using the drop down menu.
If you require a non-UVic affiliated person to access your course, we recommend that you follow the procedure for Affiliate Netlink Creation and then enrol them as Grad-auditing student into your course.
Format
A course format refers to the layout of a course. Every course that is created uses a Weekly format. However, there are several different formats available.
To access the format area:
- Go to your Course and Turn editing on.
- Under the Administration block, select Settings.
- A new window will open, scroll down slightly until you see Format.
- Using the drop-down menu beside Format, select one of the options.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Save changes.
- This will now show your course using the format you selected. You can change the format at any time you wish.
The following provides an overview of course formats available by popularity.
Weekly
The course is organized week by week, with a clear start date and a finish date. Moodle will create a section for each week in your course centre block area. You can add content, forums, quizzes, and so on in the section for each week.
If you need to change the dates of your course, you do this also via Settings in the Administration block. You can only change the start day and date. Moodle then uses this to create the weeks for the rest of your course block.
Topics
Topic Format displays your course content in blocks designed to hold information pertaining to a topic within your course. By default the blocks display numerically but can be edited to display the topic name.
How do you edit each topic area title? Just turn editing on in your course. Then click the edit icon beside the topic number you wish to add a title to.
Topics Tree
This course format is a variation of the standard topics format. Its main (unique) difference is that, if instructors indent resources or activities in edit mode, content will display in a tree way.
If using, it is very important to inform students how to open and close a topics tree. If instructions are not provided, they may miss important resources or activities presented.
Monthly
With this format, instructors can specify a course start date and the number of months the course is to run. Moodle will create a section for each month of your course in the centre block area. The current month will be highlighted.
Social
This format has been rarely used to date, due to the important fact that it limits a course just to a single discussion forum area. It is useful for situations that are more freeform, however also limits the instructor and what can be contained in the course.
LAMS
LAMS has been integrated with Moodle to allow instructors to develop LAMS activities within a Moodle course. This course format makes LAMS central to the course, only displaying the LAMS interface. If you are not sure what any of this means you can safely ignore this format option!
SCORM
The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a content packaging standard. SCORM packages are self-contained bundles of content and JavaScript activities that can send data to Moodle about the students’ scores and current locations. Moodle can use SCORM packages as an activity type or as a course format. If you have a large SCORM object you want to use as an entire course, you can select this course format. If you are not sure what any of this means you can safely ignore this format option!
Timeline
Instructors have found this format difficult to use. The timeline course format, allows instructors to display content essentially in reverse order. The most recent at the top, older sections following (reverse order from what would be considered normal). This layout can be very confusing for students.
Theme
Instructors may choose between a variety of different themes for your course. Themes change the look and feel of your course including colours, and specifically UVic faculty themes that may interest instructors.
To choose a theme
- Log in and go to one of our courses in which you are an instructor.
- Under the Administration block, select Settings.
- Scroll down the main General section until you see Forced theme.
- Using the drop-down menu beside it, choose one of the available themes.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Save changes.
The course will now appear using the theme you chose. You can change the theme at any time just by re-entering the Settings area and selecting a new theme. You can view a variety of different themes available using the gallery below.
Import Previous Course Materials
Using the Import feature under the course Administration block, allows an instructor to transfer course materials from a previously taught course (or sandbox area) into a new course. This saves much time and energy if you are reusing content from year to year.
This method imports content only. No user data is transferred during this process.
If your course is older than 1 year and a semester, you will need to contact our support to see if its content can be retrieved. If it is extremely old (2 years or more) this may not be possible.
Step One: Configure New Course Shell
Make sure the number of weeks/topics in the real (new) courses centre block is the same or more than the old course that you are importing content from.
If you fail to do this, all your content will be imported into the top centre block, and you will have to manually move the content into any additional blocks, essentially adding more work into the process.
Changing Number of Weeks/Topics in your new course
- Under your course Administration Block in your new course, click Settings. You will now see your course settings page.
Look for number of weeks/topics and use the drop down menu to choose the total number of weeks/topics that are needed in your course centre block.- Remember to click Save at the bottom of this page.
Step Two: Import Old Course Content
Make sure you are in your new course shell and you completed Step One.
- In your Administration block select Import.
- Another window will appear. Beside Courses I have taught select your old course name from the drop down menu. If you cannot see your old course on the list (less than 1 year and a semester old), it is probable that the course has been archived. Contact Support with the Course CRN number and course name/number that you need access to, and we will see if we can correct the problem for you.
- Now click the button directly below this box entitled: Use this course.
- Be patient as the process continues. Depending on the size of the content you are importing, this can take some time.
- You may need to click the continue button several times as the import progresses.
- Once complete your course content has been moved to the new course shell, but does not include your old students.
You may in some circumstances, need to re-add any course side blocks that you had previously (some side blocks do not import into a new course shell).
3. Add Learning Resources
Resources are the content that an instructor adds to the course. It is used to upload files (such as PowerPoint's, images, PDFs, multimedia, external links) and create web pages which in turn, students can select from the centre block of the course to view.
Only instructors can use the Add a resource feature. If you wish students to contribute content, an instructor must use the Add an Activity function.
Adding a Resource
- Once you are within your course as an instructor, select the button Turn editing on, located in the top right hand corner.
- The course view will change slightly, now giving you editing privileges.
- As every block shows the Add a resource drop down menu, choose a location you would like to add content to.
- Using the drop down menu under Add a resource, select which resource you would like to add.
To hide specific resources from students, show, delete, and move, see Manipulating Resources.
Types of Resources and their use
The following provides a description of each available resource instructors may use, and an image example. To view specific information on adding and using each, select the resource name.
Resource |
Types of Uses |
Image select to enlarge |
Insert a Label |
In each Topic or Weekly block area, you can add text and small images. This allows you to add instructions or other content between resources to give direction to students. |
 |
Add a Lightbox Gallery |
Allows you to create image galleries within your course. The main configuration option involves telling Moodle which folder within your course file system contains the images you wish to include in the gallery. The gallery creates thumbnail images, that students can then select to view. |
 |
Compose a Text page |
Composing a text page is very quick and easy, but it allows only limited formatting. Think of it as a plain vanilla page where no images, colours, or multimedia is used. Typical use: instructor contact information or brief introduction. |
 |
Compose a web page |
You can compose a variety of web pages using an easy editor. This helps you add online content to your course, without cluttering your centre block. You can add written content, images, a list of external links, videos and much more. |
 |
Link to a file or link to a website |
You may link to an individual file that you have uploaded into your course file system. You may also use this resource to link to an external website for students to view. |
 |
Display a folder |
Allows you to show a File Folder and its contents that you have created in your course file system (located in your Administration block). Rather than linking to individual files, cluttering your centre block, you can link to one folder that contains all the documents or multimedia you wish your students to read or view. |
 |
Add an IMS content package |
A structured format for learning content. You may find IMS content packages ready-made for certain topics available online for free or for purchase. Otherwise, you will not have any need for using this type of resource. |
No image example available |
4. Create Some Activities
An activity is an interactive learning segment that an instructor can add to their course. This includes assignments, forums, quizzes, podcasting, and many others. In this activities support section, we review the specific activities available to instructors, including how to add each to a course, and best practices for how to use each activity.
In the Add an activity drop-down menu, you may notice an activity with a note in parentheses. This alert instructors of activities that are still in pilot, undergoing testing, or other special considerations. For example:
- Wiki (do not use groups): this activity cannot be used with groups.
If you wish, you can also add the Activities side block to your course. This block lists the various activities used in your course, allowing for easy student navigation to your course activities.
Types of activities and their use
The following provides a description of each available activity that instructors may use. To view specific information on adding and using each, select the activity name. We are currently adding to this documentation, and will add links to new topics as they are available.
If you are interested in creating Groups within your course for students to work within activities, please review our Groups information.
Activity |
Types of Uses |
|
Assignments |
||
Drop box
|
Allows instructors to send marked assignments and comments back to students. Students can upload multiple files to instructors (maximum set by instructor). |
|
Online Text Submission
|
Students can write text directly online, with no uploading of files. The instructor has the option to comment within the student's submitted text. |
|
Offline Activity
|
Useful when the assignment is performed outside of Moodle. For example, it could be a written assignment that you collected in class. Students can see the assignment title in the centre block, and when selected, also a description of the assignment (if you added one). However, students cannot upload files. |
|
Communication |
||
Chat
|
Real time (synchronous) online conversations between and with students. It is recommended that you only use this with a small number of students at one time. |
|
Forum
|
Forum (asynchronous) communication can be used to facilitate class or group discussions, without requiring real-time interaction. See the discussion forum section under the Communication support section. |
|
Other Communication Possibilities
|
The Course Menu, can also provide a listing of all participants in a particular course (enrolled students, instructors, TAs). This is not your official course list, but shows those who are enrolled in your course and allows to to contact individual students. |
|
Online Quizzes |
||
Quiz
|
Allows the instructor to design and set quizzes consisting of a large variety of questions types (including multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions). The quiz is an excellent self-test tool, but we do not recommend that you use it for summative assessment. |
|
Hot Potatoes
|
A program that you can download to build interactive, short answer, multiple choice questions and then upload into your Moodle course. We do not recommend you use online quizzes for summative assessment. |
|
Rich Media |
||
Media Player |
The Media Player activity module deploys video, audio, slideshows and playlists in Moodle. |
|
Podcast
|
Create an audio/video series that students can follow outside your Moodle course. |
|
Other Activities |
||
Lesson
|
Allows Instructors to construct an online resource (much like a book) and intersperse 'check for understanding' opportunities embedded directly with in the activity itself. |
|
Choice
|
Choice activity, you can pose a question to your students, to which they respond by selecting one of several choices. |
|
Feedback
|
Allows instructors to create a survey to gather student opinions. |
|
Glossary
|
Create a Glossary of terms related to your course, or have students add terms. Each time one of the glossary terms appears in your Moodle course, it will be automatically highlighted and linked to the glossary definition (if enabled). |
|
OUWiki
|
A collection of collaboratively authored web documents. Basically, a wiki is a web page that everyone in your class can create together, right in the browser, without needing to know HTML. |
|
OU Blog
|
Adds course blogging functionality. Considered a Pilot to test reliability and overall adoption. |
Once you have created an assignment in Moodle, students will see it on the course page, and it will show up in the Gradebook with the point value you have selected. When you enter grades for the assignments, these are automatically added to the Gradebook.
Additional Information and Help
- Override what a student can and cannot do within a specific activity. Some activities allow instructors to give students more (or less) permissions within an activity. We show you how - but be careful using this.
- Instructor Forum for the Activity modules: This is an area where instructors can post each other questions, answers, and best practices for the use of Moodle Activities. It is a resource for instructors to build, based on their experience.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): A list of questions and answers that instructors have asked Moodle Support, but which do not fit into any one category.
5. Welcome Your Students
When Moodle courses are created, they are automatically set not to allow student access.
Many instructors prefer to build their course content first, before allowing student entry.
Easy way to allow student access:
Once logged into your course, you will see the 'Quicksets' block on the top left column of the course
Yes = students have access (green)
No = student do not have access (red)
Make your change and then click 'Update settings'
Watch a Tutorial Video
Next Steps
- Read our Quickstart Guide (pdf)
- Our Instructor Checklist can help stay on track through the semester
- Add TA's to specific role, depending on what you require them to do within your course
- Have students take our Online Moodle Orientation to familiarize them with the Learning Management System
- Teaching Multiple Sections with the same content? Think about bringing them all into one place with a Meta-course!
- Sign up for one of our "Real Time in Your Time" online self-paced courses or in class workshops
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Have any more questions? Just send us a note.
