INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Moodle templates resource page. Instructions, best practice advice and templates to develop pedagogically sound Moodle courses could be found in this page.
PAGE NAVIGATION
Click on the links to go to each section of the page:
I. INSTRUCTIONS TO ACCESS & RESTORE MOODLE TEMPLATES
II. INSTRUCTIONS TO BUILD BLOCKS IN MOODLE TEMPLATES
I. INSTRUCTIONS TO ACCESS & RESTORE MOODLE TEMPLATES
Five pedagogically sound templates around “Topic”, “Weekly”, “Collapsed Topic”, “One Topic” & “Titles” based course formats are presented below. A general description of formats, zip files and instructions to restore templates, best practice advice to build a course based on these templates are elaborated further.
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TOPIC |
WEEKLY FORMAT |
COLLAPSED TOPIC FORMAT |
ONE TOPIC FORMAT |
TILES |
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| General description of the course formats |
Course pages are organized into topic sections vertically within the course site |
Course pages are organized into weekly sections vertically within the course site |
This is similar to the Topic Format, except pages can be “toggled” on and off |
Course pages are organized as parent-level tabs horizontally. Child-level tabs within each parent tab could further be created to add/organize course pages |
In the turn editing off mode, course pages are organized tiles |
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Access Moodle course templates by clicking on the links to your right. Backup zip file to restore these templates are available in the respective Moodle course once you enrol via these links. |
Topic format Moodle course template | Weekly format Moodle course template |
Collapsed topic format Moodle course template |
One topic format Moodle Course |
Tiles format Moodle Course |
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Instructions to restore the template zip file to the blank course shell Note: It is best to restore this template to a blank course and build it from scratch. If you merge this template to an existing course, moving content around will be tedious |
In the top navigation menu click on “More”, and under course reuse go to “restore”, to initiate the restoration process Select the template zip file you downloaded to your local computer and follow instructions to complete the restoration process |
In the top navigation menu, click on to “More” and under course reuse click on “restore”, to initiate the restoration process Select the template zip file you downloaded to your local computer and follow instructions to complete the restoration process See : Moodle Course Restoration Process Note: To change weekly date/date range – go to the course settings present in top navigation menu as “settings” and change the course start date. The weekly course dates will change accordingly |
Very important – Before restoring this template, the following changes to the blank course shell settings are required In settings, scroll down to “course format”. In “format”, toggle down to select “collapsed topics” option Then go to “number of sections” option and change to 18 (since this template is set up for 18 topics) Next, go further down to “toggle text alignment” and select “left” in order to align your weekly topic labels to the left. The default alignment is Centre Click “save and return” Now you are ready to restore this template to the blank Moodle course In the top navigation menu, click on to “More” and under course reuse click on “restore”, to initiate the restoration process. Select the template zip file you downloaded to your local computer and follow instructions to complete the restoration process |
Very important – Before restoring this template, the following changes to the blank course shell settings are required In settings, scroll down to “course format”. In “format”, toggle down to “one topic format” option Go further down to “visualization mode of section 0” and select “before the tabs” option. This way block zero content will be placed as the landing page of the course Click “save and return” Now you are ready to restore this template to the blank Moodle course In the top navigation menu, click on to “More” and under course reuse click on “restore”, to initiate the restoration process; Select the template zip file you downloaded to your local computer and follow instructions to complete the restoration process |
In the top navigation menu, click on to “More” and under course reuse click on “restore”, to initiate the restoration process Select the template zip file you downloaded to your local computer and follow instructions to complete the restoration process |
| Instructions to add a new course page and/or move current pages. |
The following changes could only be made under the edit mode in Moodle To add a new topic : At the bottom of the Moodle course shell, click “+ Add topics” link Move the topic sequence : Click the icon in front of the topic label (+) and drag the topic page to the location you wish to move |
The following changes could only be made under the edit mode in Moodle To add a new week : At the bottom of the Moodle course shell, click “+ Add weeks” link to add a new week Move the week sequence : Click the icon in front of the topic label (+) and drag the weekly page to the location you wish to move. Notice as you move the concerned weekly page up or down, the date sequence will change automatically Change the auto generated weekly label : Click the pencil sign next to the weekly label and type the new label name and press enter |
The following changes could only be made under the edit mode in Moodle To add a new collapsed topic : In “edit course settings” change the “Number of sections” option to reflect the total number of topics (including new and existing) required. For example, if the current number of sections are 18 and you need 2 more new sections, change the number to 20 Move the topic sequence: Click the icon in front of the topic label (+) and drag the topic page to the location you wish to move |
The following changes could only be made under the edit mode in Moodle To add new parent/child-level tabs or to move tabs across levels is more complex in this format. Watch the following videos Video Instructions: To add a new parent/child level tab and move a parent/child tab within the course Video Instructions: To move an activity or resources within or between tabs Video Instructions: To change the background and/or font colour of parent/child level tabs. Use the following html colour chart for colours. Caution : When deleting a parent/child level tab, make sure you are in the intended page. Often it is difficult to gauge the tab you are currently in when navigating between tabs
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The following changes could only be made under the edit mode in Moodle To add a new tile : At the bottom of the Moodle course shell, click “+ Add tiles” Move the topic sequence : Click the icon in front of the topic label (+) and drag the topic page to the location you wish to move Important Note In “turn edit off on mode” – the course blocks will appear as tiles, where three to four tiles in each row (depending on the screen size of your computer). |
II. INSTRUCTIONS TO BUILD BLOCKS IN MOODLE TEMPLATES
a) What is a Moodle Block?
A block is a topic area, a week, a course page that can be added to a Moodle course. Block zero or section 0 in Moodle refers to the landing page of the course. Activities or resources included in this area will be static.
b) Number and Organization of Blocks for Each Course Format Template
The following table will highlight the organization of block zero and other weekly blocks in each of the following Moodle templates.
| Block Zero Content | Course Banner Acknowledgment Big Blue Button Link |
Course Banner Acknowledgment Big Blue Button Getting Started Course Administration General Resources |
Course Banner Acknowledgment Big Blue Button Link |
Course Banner Acknowledgment Big Blue Button Link |
Course Banner Acknowledgment Big Blue Button Link Note: “Announcements” can be added by adding activity “forum” |
| Weekly Blocks in Addition to Block Zero | Getting Started [1] Course Administration [1] General Resources [1] Weekly Blocks [13] Final Exam [1] Instructor Use Only [1] |
Weekly Blocks [13] Final Exam [1] Instructor Use Only [1] |
Getting Started [1] Course Administration [1] General Resources [1] Weekly Blocks [13] Final Exam [1] Instructor Use Only [1] |
Getting Stated (1st level) and includes 3 child level tabs [4] Weekly Schedule (1st level) and includes 14 child level tabs [15] Instructor Use Only (1st level tab) [1] |
Getting Started [1] Course Administration [1] General Resources [1] Weekly Blocks [13] Final Exam [1] Instructor Use Only [1] |
| Total Blocks (without Block 0) | 18 blocks | 15 blocks | 18 blocks | 20 blocks | 18 blocks |
c) Guidelines to Build Blocks
Guidelines below will provide best practice advice in building Moodle blocks.
Landing Page (Block Zero)
This is the landing page of the Moodle course. Keep this space clutter free. Include the following resources/activities
COURSE BANNER (OPTIONAL)
Insert a course banner in the landing page. This banner should ideally include identifying information about the course, section, semester etc. You can also include an image that reflects the topic, content delivered in the course. Use a banner that is oriented in a landscape format to improve the aesthetics of the landing page.
TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Please include the following statement to acknowledge first nations.
We at Kwantlen Polytechnic University respectfully acknowledge that we work, live, and study in a region that overlaps with the unceded, traditional, and ancestral lands of the xwməθkwəyə̓ m (Musqueam), qi̓cə̓y̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), scə̓waθən (Tsawwassen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), kwikwəƛə̓m (Kwikwetlem), and the lands of the qw̓ɑ:nƛ̓ə̓n̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation, which gifted its name to this university.
In the cause of reconciliation, we recognize our commitment to address and reduce the ongoing systemic colonialism, oppression, and racism that Indigenous Peoples continue to experience.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Note: “Announcements” can be added by adding activity “forum”.
BIG BLUE BUTTON
If this course is delivered synchronously online, use the Big Blue Button link created in this space. If not, use this link for virtual office hours. If MS Teams or Zoom is used to deliver this course synchronously, replace this link with the appropriate conferencing tool.
Getting Started
Content in this block is set up to assist students orient to the course. In addition to the following, add resources as required.
WATCH : WELCOME VIDEO
Creating a welcome video will give students an opportunity to connect with the instructor before the course starts. It is also a great way for the instructor to convey expectations and important information students may need to know.
Best Practice Advice View: Developing a Welcome Video Resource
REVIEW : LEARN TO LEARN ONLINE
If this course is taught fully online or in a blended format, it is strongly recommended that this resource be included here.
REVIEW : INTRODUCTION TO BIG BLUE BUTTON
This resource provides steps for students to follow when using the Big Blue Button for synchronous classes.
COMPLETE : STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SURVEY
This survey is created to gather information regarding student access to technology infrastructure to complete their courses. Customize this survey as required.
CONTRIBUTE : BUILDING YOUR LEARNING COMMUNITY
Social presence is extremely important to create an engaging and a contributing community of learners in a fully online course. The forum included here is one of many tools available for instructors to build a learning community among students. This tool further allows the instructor to use ice breaker activities giving students the opportunity to introduce themselves to the learning community.
Best Practice Advice View: Build Community Resource
COMPLETE : KPU ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MODULE
This resource provides information to students to understand policies and requirements to meet KPU academic integrity standards. Students will earn a digital badge after completing all modules in this short course.
Course Administration
Use this block to provide course administration related information to students.
REVIEW : COURSE PRESENTATION/SYLLABUS
This is a temporary placeholder to upload your course presentation.
Best Practice Advice View: Course Presentation Resource
REVIEW : KPU DATES & DEADLINES
This link will provide students important KPU related dates and deadlines.
Course Resources
Use this block to provide resources required by students to complete this course successfully.
REVIEW : COURSE TEXTBOOK/OPEN TEXT RESOURCES
Include links, files, folders with textbook and/or open/other material students are required to use frequently to complete this course successfully. Lesson specific resources (that are not drawn from these resources) could be included in relevant weekly blocks.
VIEW : KPU ACEDEMIC INTEGRITY, PLAGIARISM & COTATIONS
This link provides important information for students with additional resources related to academic integrity, plagiarism and citations. Consider directing students to these resources as required.
REVIEW : LIBRARY SERVICES FOR STUDENTS
This link provides important information regarding library services available for students.
REVIEW : KPU LEARNING CENTRE
This link provides useful information for students regarding services available in the learning centers.
VIEW : STUDENT SUPPORT FOR BASIC NEEDS
This link provides useful information related to student support available for basic needs
Weekly Blocks
The following blocks will include important information pertaining to weekly/modular lessons and assessments activities in building a course.
HOW TO ENTER DATES/DATE RANGES IN WEEKLY BLOCKS
Weekly Format : Once the course start date is set in “edit setting menu”, weekly date ranges will be automatically populated in this format. If you wish to override these date ranges, click on the pencil icon on the right hand side beside the label and edit the label content. Press enter for these changes to take effect.
Topic Format/Collapsed Topic Format : In these formats, the instructor is required to manually enter weekly dates/date ranges.
One Topic Format : In the “Weekly Schedule” parent-level tab, multiple child-level tabs are created for each week of the course. The instructor is required to manually enter weekly dates/date ranges here. Long subheadings will spill labels headings to multiple lines and may overwhelm students. Especially keep the child-level tab labels short. Example “Sep 09” , “Sep 10-16”, “WK01” etc.
Week 01
The following resources/activities are to be included in each weekly block.
MODULE 01 WEEKLY TO-DO-LIST
This check list includes a “to-do list” to guide students what activities/task are required to be completed for the concerned weekly module.
Best Practice Advice View: Utilizing Checklists Resource
MODULE 01 LEARNING OUTCOMES & OVERVIEW
There are two important pieces of information you should provide in this section.
1) List key course-level or lesson-level learning outcomes students are required to master after completing this module.
2) An overview of the module. This could be a short video, audio, or text resource that guides students’ focus, what they should be working on and learning in this module. Help students recognize what they should be getting out of the module.
Best Practice Advice View: Module Overview Resource
LEARNING CONTENT & ACTIVITIES
Include core learning activities, specific links to textbook/open text material provided under general resources and/or additional resources. Use different types of media for learning activities. Most importantly, ensure learning activities align with course-level or lesson-level learning outcomes listed in the previous section.
Best Practice Advice View: Learning Content and Activities Resource
ASSIGNMENTS
Include formative assessments to be complete by students here. It is important that these assessments are aligned with course-level or lesson-level learning outcomes listed in the previous section. If using the gradebook, assignments could be linked here.
Best Practice Advice View: Assessments Resource
MODULE FEEDBACK
This short Q&A helps the instructor determine what is working well about this module design and where revisions may be needed. It will also identify content students are struggling with and provide a place to express their needs. Feel free to edit questions in this feedback tool as required.
Week 02 to Week 13
Content included in week 01 block is repeated here. If a separate block for the midterm is required, create one similar to the final exam bock that could be found below.
Final Exam Block
FINAL EXAM PREPARATION MATERIALS
FINAL EXAM ACCESS
This block is created to provide students information, guidance to prepare for the final exam, instructions to complete the final exam, links to access and submit the final exam.
Click this link for best practice advice to develop final exam resources.
Instructor Use Only
This block is hidden from students. If you need to place material that you do not wish students to see, this would be an ideal space to store them. Resources you do not wish to include in weekly blocks to avoid clutter but you still need to make them available to students, (such as some gradebook items, peer evaluation backend tools) could be stored here with “available but not shown on course page” option.