Reduce the Drama and Trauma:
Making Your
Moodle Course
Student Friendly
Hala Esmail
Faculty Technology Center
Spring 2013 Moodle Statistics
3500
3000
2500
2000
Active in Moodle
Created in Moodle
1500
Offered at LSU
1000
500
0
Undergraduate
Graduate
Fall 2011 Moodle Statistics
Undergraduate Students
Faculty
4%
25.2%
74.8%
(1,447)
96%
(23, 987)
Enrolled
Using Moodle
Not enrolled
Not using Moodle
Overview
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Sharing expectations with students
Organizing your course
Communicating with students
Providing assistance for students & instructors
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
• Email 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
http://animals.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/32083
…
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 selfdescribing 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 selfdescribing and meaningful
• File size matters (video, images, PowerPoint)
• File formats are "universal"
Communication
…but…I didn’t know I
was supposed to check
my e-mail….
Email- 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:
http://itsweb.lsu.edu
E-mail:
helpdesk@lsu.edu
Phone: (225)578-3375
(578-DESK)
Frey Computing Services Center
102 Frey
Information Commons
141 Middleton
*Note: hours may change for
holidays/breaks
Workshops and Webinars
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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
• E-mail: ftc@lsu.edu
• Phone: (225)578-3375, Option 1
• Website: http://ftc.lsu.edu
Discussion
Thank you for attending!
Hala Esmail
hesmai1@lsu.edu