What’s New in Moodle 3.2
On July 5, 2017, Cal State LA will be upgrading to Moodle version 3.2.
To access the new Moodle 3.2 version: (after July 5, 2017)
- Log into the MyCalStateLA Portal at http://my.calstatela.edu.
- From the Quicklaunch Menu, click the orange Moodle 3.2 icon.
- You should then be launched into the new Moodle 2017-2018 environment.
To access older Moodle versions:
When logged into Moodle, you will find the links to previous Moodle versions under the Previous Moodle versions block located on the upper right hand-side.
To copy content from a previous version of Moodle:
- Use Simple Restore to copy content from a previous version to Moodle 3.2
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Use the new Backup and Simple Restore process for Moodle 3.2 if the course that you need to copy content from is not available in the Simple Restore.
New features in Moodle 3.2:
- Better navigation with Boost
- Easier editing with Boost
- Recycle bin
- Media player improvements
- Discussion locking
- Assignment overrides
- Annotatable PDF for most types of Assignment submissions
- Select for students in Choice
- Negative scores for rubrics
- User-friendly messaging and alerts
Visit Moodle.org to see a complete list of new features within Moodle 3.2: https://docs.moodle.org/32/en/New_features. A Moodle 3.2 Overview video is also available for quick reference to new features..
Better navigation with Boost
Boost is the new default theme. It is designed to work and look better across various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Easier editing with Boost
The Boost theme is carried out on the Dashboard as well as in each course for easier editing.
The sample course below displays the Gear menu (top right-hand corner of the course site). The Gear menu reveals the following links: Edit settings, Turn editing on, Filters, Gradebook setup, Outcomes, Backup, Restore, Import, Recycle bin, Reset, and More...
Recycle bin
Media player improvements
The new media player is significantly better. It allows for video dimensions, and it can play closed captions, subtitle tracks and more.
Discussion locking
The instructor can now set a discussion forum to not allow students to make a new post, reply to post, or start a new discussion topic. However, they can still read the existing posts.
Assignment overrides
Like the Quiz activity, Moodle 3.2 Assignments now have a user override option.
The instructor can select specific students or groups of students to change the submission date, due date and cut-off date.
Annotatable PDF for most types of Assignment submissions
Whether a student submits a Word document, a PDF, or online text, the submission is converted to PDF and can be annotated by the instructor if desired. Below is an example of an online text submission displaying in the PDF annotation tool.
Select for students in Choice
When using the Choice activity, instructors can now make or update student Choice selection.
Negative scores for rubrics
Within the Assignment activity, the Advanced grading feature of Rubrics now allows the instructor to add negative points. For example the last row of the sample rubric below now offers a penalty point for a late submission. To use a negative point criteria, the instructor must check the box to use the new type of calculation.
User-friendly messaging and alerts
The bell and the dialog icons in the top right corner of every Moodle 3.2 page will allow the user to receive the latest notifications (the bell) and to send and receive messages (the dialog). Each user can adjust the settings as to whether the notification is sent to email, or stays within Moodle 3.2.
