Table of Contents


*Moodle Activities & Resources (Google Doc version)

Introduction

Moodle contains a number of built in tools that instructors can use to create activities or resources. These charts provide information about each one and ways they can be used. 


Frequently Used Activities and Resources 

Activity or Resource

Description

Uses

The icon for assignments in Moodle. It looks like a page with an arrow pointing up suggesting the act of uploading.Assignment

Used to create a graded task for students. It links to the gradebook and creates a column where grades can be entered. Instructors can attach resources, videos, or examples for students to view as well.

Graded tasks for submission of

  • Files

  • Online Text 


Files can be restricted to particular file types. Online Text can include MathType, ChemType, and YuJa videos.


Use the TILT framework to design transparent assignments and learning tasks for your students.

The icon for Moodle files. It looks like a page with a folded corner.

File

Used to add a variety of media to a Moodle course. This can include text documents, images, or videos.

  • provide students with additional resources

  • upload reading materials or videos for students to peruse before class discussions

  • share a Google document with students to use for taking collaborative notes

The icon for labels in Moodle. It looks like a tag.

Label

Used to add text, images, multimedia or code in between other resources in the different sections. The difference between a label and a file is that the information in a file is not shown on the Moodle homepage but the information in a label is. Note: excess multimedia on your homepage can cause slow loading times.

  • Display course-level objectives at the beginning of your course or module-level objectives at the beginning of your modules

  • Add an instructor introduction at the beginning of your course

  • Add directions about module navigation, expectations, or resource utilization

  • Add a banner or image to introduce a new module

The icon for adding a page in Moodle. It looks like a page of paper with lines on it representing writing.

Page

Used to create a link to a page that displays the content created by the instructor. The Text editor allows the page to display many different kinds of content such as plain text, images, audio, video, embedded code or a combination of all these. 

  • Add lesson content to be read by the student 

  • Create a page with directions, examples, and links to resources for a complex or ongoing project so that students can revisit as needed

The icon for Moodle quizzes. It looks like a checkmark in a box.

Quiz

Used to create graded quizzes within Moodle

  • Formative assessment of student progress and mastery of content

The icon for URL resources in Moodle. It looks like a circle with lines dividing it into sections.

URL

Used to provide students with web links. In the settings you can choose whether the link opens a page, creates a pop-up, or embeds into Moodle.

  • Embed a video so that students have easy access to it without the video taking up space on your Moodle course homepage

  • Link to news articles that provide real-world context to course content

  • Provide students with a starting place for researching course topics

The icon for forums in Moodle. It looks like a speech bubble with lines representing text.

 Forum


Used to post and manage asynchronous discussions 

  • Hold asynchronous discussions in an online course

  • Ask students to introduce themselves to their peers at the beginning of a course

  • Ask students to post work samples to get feedback from peers

  • Allow students to post images, video, nor audio files as part of the discussion as well as text

The icon for folders in Moodle. It looks like a folder.

Folder

Used to group resources for easy access

  • Curate resources for students

  • Post models and examples for complex projects

  • Provide students with necessary forms to be completed


The icon for the books resource in Moodle. It looks like a book.

Book

Used to create multiple Moodle pages that are linked together in format and have a table of contents. Books can include text and multimedia, but are intended for conveying information rather than interaction.

  • Provide lesson materials or notes 

  • Summarize multiple theories or schools of thought on a topic to prepare students for an in-depth study or project

  • Cover different methods to tackle the same issue or mathematical scenario

The icon for Moodle checklists. It looks like two boxes with one of them checked.Checklist

Used to create a checklist for students.

  • Model good organizational practices for first-year students by showing them how to utilize lists to stay organized

  • Create a checklist of items that students must complete for each module to clarify expectations

  • Create a checklist of steps that students should complete as part of a complex project or capstone to help students stay on track

  • Create a checklist for students in courses that have state or federal regulations for certification so that students can track their progress and complete all necessary steps

The icon for choice activities in Moodle. It looks like a two-headed arrow.

Choice

Used to create poll questions (no open-ended questions)

  • Establish student prior knowledge

  • Engage students in a reflective question

  • Ask a question as an exit ticket to check for understanding

  • Take attendance by having students answer a question at the beginning of class and reference at a later time for your records

  • Elicit student input on project topics, what they’d like to learn next, types of assignments they prefer, or engaging icebreaker topics to encourage community

The icon for Moodle databases. It looks like a stack of discs.Database

Used to create a database of entries about a given topic. Both students and instructors can add entries. Entries can include images, files, URLs, and text.

  • Assign topics for students to research and have them create detailed entries that can be used later for study or clarification

  • Create entries to use as repositories of resources on difficult topics.

The icon for Moodle glossary posts. It looks like a folder with multiple tabs.Glossary

Used to create a glossary tailored to the needs of a specific course.

  • Encourage students to work collaboratively to create glossary entries for each module

  • Challenge students to go beyond the dictionary definition to include examples or opposites

The icon for H5P posts in icon. It looks like the H5P logo on a white background.

H5P

Used to add H5P activities and content to your Moodle page. H5P has an extensive list of types of content that can be created. Note: H5P is not always user-friendly and can be prone to glitches. Seek guidance from EdTech or Learning Design if you have problems.

  • Create interactive content to engage students

  • Use the accordion activity to condense or chunk information

The icon for journal posts in Moodle. It looks like a white box with a pencil in it on an orange background.Journal

Used to give students the opportunity for reflective or formative writing. It is recommended that the writing assignment be short as you can not use marking functions or rubrics with journal entries and all entries from a class will be shown on one screen which will necessitate scrolling.

  • Have students reflect on concepts learned recently

  • Allow students to make improvements based on feedback before using the writing as a foundation for a larger writing task

The icon for lesson activities in Moodle. It looks like a wavy line with dots on it.Lesson

Used to create activities where students experience content based on their choices or preferences. Questions can also be included to check understanding. Similar to “book” in use, but intended to help students apply information rather than just receive information. 

  • Create branching scenarios where students can make choices about how to handle a given set of circumstances

  • Set up a check for understanding where students who don’t answer correctly receive remediation or additional resources

  • Let students explore a topic or work out a problem based on their preferred method or theory

The icon for Moodle questionnaires. It looks like a white piece of paper with 2 blue checkmarks.Questionnaire

Used to create ungraded questionnaires. Question types include check boxes, date box, dropdown choices, essay bos, numeric, radio buttons, scale, text box, yes/no.

  • Create short surveys to get student feedback on course structure, assignments, preferences, etc. 

  • Give students practice tests to gauge individual and group progress with content topics or to give students an idea of what to expect on upcoming tests

The Icon for YuJa posts in Moodle. It looks like a white square in a blue square.

YuJa

Used to add YuJa video quizzes to Moodle and create an associated column in the gradebook

  • Assign graded video quizzes to students


Activities and Resources that are Labor and Time Intensive  

The icon for Moodle wikis. It looks like a central circle with lines radiating out and ending in circles.

Wiki

Used to allow students to individually or collaboratively create documents where they can curate and create content about a particular topic. Note: Set-up for this activity is complex and you will need to devote time to training students in its use.

  • Assign topics to students and have them curate resources and create informative content about the topic

  • Have students use their wikis as the basis for a larger research project

  • Ask students to create a wiki that details the steps and findings of an ongoing experiment or research study.

The icon for Moodle workshops. It looks like two people with an arrow above them.Workshop

Used to facilitate peer assessment. Note: Management of this activity is complex and you will need to devote time to training students in its use. 

  • Have students give feedback to peers on submissions of various types of files including multimedia files.

  • Use this as a preliminary assessment after which students can make corrections before turning in their final product to you.