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CETL | Moodle FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):

  1. What is Moodle?
  2. What version of moodle is CSULA using?
  3. How often is moodle upgraded?
  4. What is the web address to access Moodle?
  5. What is my username and password?
  6. I forgot/don’t have my password and username, what should I do?
  7. How do I request a Moodle course?
  8. What if I'm not ready to use Moodle?
  9. Can Moodle be used for purposes other than teaching, such as departmental website, committees, etc.?
  10. Which browser does Moodle run on?
  11. How do I save my content from Blackboard?
  12. When is the last day to retrieve Blackboard content?
  13. What if I want to save Blackboard content from courses I taught 2-3 years ago?
  14. Can I request Moodle courses that I will be teaching 2-3+ quarters in advance?
  15. Why can’t my students see the Moodle course that they are enrolled in?
  16. How do I add my graduate assistant (or colleague, student, etc.) to my course?
  17. How often is my Moodle course backed up?
  18. Where do I go to get help?
  19. How do I import course content from an older course to a more recent course?
  20. I do not have access to the moodle course for my class?
  21. How can I receive notices about system outages, maintenance, and status?
  22. How can I combine cross-listed courses into a single course?

 

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. What is Moodle?

Moodle is an open-source Learning Management System (LMS).  The LMS is a learning platform that allows faculty to post course material, such as the course syllabus, PPT’s, lecture notes, and study guides. In addition, it may also be used to actively engage students in the learning process by creating discussion boards, assigning group work, administer exams, and manage student grades. (Return to questions)

2. What version of moodle is CSULA using?

Currently we are supporting moodle 2.3.3. (Return to questions)

3. What is the web address to access Moodle?

Users may access Moodle through the MyCSULA portal at https://mycsula.calstatela.edu.  Log on with your CSULA username and password.  A Moodle icon is located in the upper left-hand corner.  Users may also access the Moodle web address by going to https://moodle.calstatela.edu. (Return to questions)

4. How often is moodle updated?

Moodle may have simple system security patches installation. Full system upgrade may take place approximately every 6 months. (Return to questions)

5. What is my username and password?

A CSULA AD account is needed to log in to Moodle.  Your AD username and password used to access your CSULA email is the same username and password used to log in to Moodle. (Return to questions)

6. I forgot/don’t have my password and username, what should I do?

Visit ITS located on the first floor of Library South, Palmer Wing, to get a printout of your AD user information.  Please make sure to have a valid picture ID when you visiting ITS. You may call ITS at (323) 343-6170 should you have additional questions. (Return to questions)

7. How do I request a course on Moodle?

There is no need to request a Moodle course. All courses in the GET system will automatically be created in Moodle. The instructor of record and enrolled students in GET will also be automatically populated into each Moodle course. (Return to questions)

8. What if I'm not ready to use Moodle?

Faculty are not required to use Moodle. Moodle courses have been automatically created and populated with the instructor and students to ease and speed up the process of requesting a Moodle course. If you do not wish to use Moodle, simply do not make your course available to students.  (Return to questions)

9. Can I use Moodle for purposes other than teaching, such as departmental website, committees, advisement, comp exams, etc.?

Yes, you may request an empty course shell by completing the Metacourse and Moodle Shell Request Form. (Return to questions)

10. Which browser does Moodle run on?

Moodle will work in any modern web browser.

Browsers:

Your browser should have both cookies and JavaScript enabled. These are typically enabled by default, but if you think these settings need enabling, check the documentation for your particular browser on how to enable cookies and JavaScript.

*Make sure you have the latest version of your browser in order to use the HTML editor. (Return to questions)

11. How do I save my content from Blackboard?

CETL has created instructional videos on downloading and managing Blackboard course content onto your computer. In addition, there are workshops to assist faculty to save Blackboard content. If you cannot attend a workshop, please make an appointment with a student aide to assist you. (Return to questions)

12. When is the last day to retrieve Blackboard content?

The last day to retrieve Blackboard content is June 15, 2013. (Return to questions)

13. What if I want to save Blackboard content from courses I taught 2-3 years ago?

You may request previous Blackboard content by contacting CETL staff and notifying them of the courses you wish to be placed back on the production server.(Return to questions)

14. Can I request Moodle courses that I will be teaching 2-3+ quarters in advance?

Please complete the Metacourse and Moodle Shell Request Form to request a Moodle sandbox. You may use the sandbox to begin designing your courses. You will need to follow the import moodle content instructions on this FAQ page to transfer content from your shell to a GET generated moodle course. (Return to questions)

15. Why can’t my students see the Moodle course that they are enrolled in?

By default, Moodle courses are hidden from students. At the beginning of each quarter when you are ready for students to view course material, Moodle course settings need to be changed so that the course is available to students. You may do so by:
• Going to the home page of the course you would like to open
• Go to Settings --> Edit Settings --> This course is available to students --> Save Changes
(Return to questions)

16. How do I add my graduate assistant (or colleague, student, etc.) to my course?

You may enroll any CSULA faculty or student to your Moodle course. You will need to log in to Moodle, select the course you would like add, and complete the following steps:
• Go to Settings --> Users -->Enroll --> Users Enroll
• Select the role (teacher, non-editing teacher, or student) you would like to give the person adding
• Search the person you would like to add by the last and first name or user ID and hit Enter on your keyboard.
• Click on Enroll --> Finish Enrolling
(Return to questions)

17. How often is my Moodle course backed up?

Your Moodle course shell is backed up for disaster recovery purposes only. Each faculty will need to back up their own individual courses as often as possible to save important content for quick and easy recovery. To back up a course, perform the following steps:
• Go to Settings --> Backup course and select what you would like backed up
(Return to questions)

18. Where do I go to get help?

There are a variety of options to receive Moodle help. Contact moodle support and ask to be enrolled into the Moodle Learning Community course. This course provides step-by-step instructions to begin building your course. You can access lynda.comfaculty moodle essentials training videos using your CSULA AD network account. You may also attend one of the many Moodle workshops offered throughout the year. Please visit the Moodle Training Page to see upcoming calendar events. CETL has drop-in service located in Fine Arts 138, Mon.-Fri., 9:00-5:00 p.m. If you cannot stop by, call ext. 3-6594 or email mymoodle@calstatela.edu. (Return to questions)

19. How do I import course content from an older course to a more recent course?

You can import course content by following the instructions below:.

  1. access the empty moodle course
  2. click on the “Import” link under the Settings block
  3. a list of your available course will appear
  4. select the course that you want to copy content from by clicking on the radio button. You many need to search for your course using the search field if it is not listed.
  5. review the prompts that follow on the bottom of the screen after selecting the course and pressing on the “Continue” button
(Return to questions)

20. I do not have access to the moodle course for my class?

Please check with your department secretary to make sure that you are the instructor of record for the course on GET. If you are, contact CETL for further assistance. (Return to questions)

21. How can I receive notices about system outages, maintenance, and status?

We recommend that you subscribe to Cal State L.A.'s ITS Alerts to receive notices on system outages, maintenance plan, and system status. (Return to questions)

22. How can I combine cross-listed courses into a single course?

Please complete the Metacourse and Moodle Shell Request Form. CETL will combine the cross-listed courses you indicated on the form into a single course and will contact you as soon as the metacourse becomes available. (Return to questions)

Contact moodle support at 323.343.6594 or mymoodle@calstatela.edu if you need additional assistance. CETL has drop-in service hours and is located in Fine Arts 138, Mon.-Fri., 9:00-5:00 p.m. (Return to questions)

 

 

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Last Update: 02/5/2012