Dear Faculty Moodle Users,

Here are some reminders on how to activate and use your course shells that are available for the Fall 2011 semesters.

Using Information in Your Previous Courses in Future Courses

There are different methods for moving information you created in previous courses into your new course shells. These methods are explained in three brief videos on the front page of Moodle under the “Main Menu” block in the top left hand corner inside of the “Teacher Information Page and Video Link.”

Importing Previous Course Information Inside Moodle NG. Many faculty members have asked how to move information from a previous semester into a course shell(s) for this fall semester. Please watch the video on “New Course Set Up including Import and Course Settings.” This video introduces the “import” feature which speeds up time in copying course information, but does not create a back up file on your computer as is done when you use “back up and restore,” a feature still available to you in Moodle NG.

Special thanks to Nola Navarre who produced these videos from concept to completion.

Course Availability to Students

When course shells are created, students are not able to see the course because the availability setting for students is automatically set to "not available." This setting makes the course appear a lighter color to you in your list of courses. Faculty have the option of when to make the course available to students and must complete the following steps in order to be able to see and access the course:

In order to make your course available to students, please follow these steps:

1. Log onto your course,
2. Click on the Settings link in the Administration block,
3. Scroll down to the Availability section,
4. Change the settings to "this course is available to students," and
5. Save your changes by clicking "Save Changes" at the bottom.

Please contact moodle@louisiana.edu if you need assistance with these items or other Moodle questions.

Good Luck,

Luke Dowden, Ed.D.

distancelearning@louisiana.edu

Dear Faculty Moodle Users,

Here are some reminders on how to activate and use your course shells that are available for the Summer 2011 semesters.

Using Information in Your Previous Courses in Future Courses

There are two different methods for moving information you created in previous courses into your new course shells. These methods are explained in three brief videos on the front page of Moodle under the “Main Menu” block in the top left hand corner inside of the “Teacher Information Page and Video Link.”

Backing Up Information from a Course in Old Moodle and Restoring It. Two flash movies on backing up your course in Old Moodle and restoring your courses in Moodle NG proceed a link to Old Moodle inside the “Teacher Information Page and Video Link.” Access to Old Moodle, the Moodle installation used through Summer 2010, will be taken offline permanently on June 30, 2011.

Importing Previous Course Information Inside Moodle NG. Many faculty members have asked how to move information from a course taught this fall semester, winter intersession, and/or spring semester into a course shell(s) for the summer semester. Please watch the video on “New Course Set Up including Import and Course Settings.” This video introduces the “import” feature which speeds up time in copying course information, but does not create a back up file on your computer as is done when you use “back up and restore,” a feature still available to you in Moodle NG.

Special thanks to Nola Navarre who produced these videos from concept to completion.

Course Availability to Students

When course shells for future semesters are created, the availability setting for students is automatically set to "not available." This setting makes the course appear a lighter color to you in your list of courses. Faculty have the option of when to make the course available to students.

In order to make your course available to students, please follow these steps:

1. Log onto your course,
2. Click on the Settings link in the Administration block,
3. Scroll down to the Availability section,
4. Change the settings to "this course is available to students," and
5. Save your changes by clicking the button at the bottom.

Please contact moodle@louisiana.edu if you need assistance with these items or other Moodle questions.

Good Luck,

Luke Dowden, Ed.D.

distancelearning@louisiana.edu

Moodle Advisory Team (MAT)

As the University prepares to transition to Moodle 2.0 by Fall 2012, faculty input in the design and functionality of the latest version of its learning management system is critically important.

Please consider serving on the Moodle Advisory Team (MAT). MAT will operate as an advisory group for the Offices of Moodle Support and Distance & Electronic Learning to inform the creation and implementation of a transition plan to Moodle 2.0.

Interested faculty and staff volunteers should gain the consent of their department head and request the department head submit the nomination to distancelearning@louisiana.edu.

Dear Faculty members,

The Office of Distance and Electronic Learning is hosting a lottery to select multiple winners for a registration and travel package to participate in the Louisiana MoodleMoot 2011 on March 23 at the Baton Rouge River Center. Interested faculty members can learn more about the MoodleMoot by visiting this link.

Thirteen names will be drawn randomly on Friday, February 25 from those who participate in the lottery. Lottery winners will receive a FREE registration to the MoodleMoot ($89 value) and transportation (seat on a University van) to the Louisiana MoodleMoot courtesy of the Office of Distance and Electronic Learning. Participants will leave and return on March 23.

All faculty Moodle users who are interested in participating in the lottery are invited to submit their name, contact information, and department to distancelearning@louisiana.edu. Please type "LA MoodleMoot Lottery" in the subject line of your email.

For those faculty members with other funds available to pay for their participation and who do not wish to participate in the lottery, you may register at this link.

Please contact me with any questions.

Luke Dowden, Ed.D.

Director, Distance Learning

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Phone: (337) 482 - 6022

Email: luke.dowden@louisiana.edu

Skype ID: lukedowden

Twitter: ullafayette_on

Faculty, staff, administrators, and students can learn more about and continuously track the work of the Office of Distance and Electronic Learning by visiting its updated web site at this link. On the front page, the news & announcements and faculty highlights sections provide news articles on the latest accomplishments.

Visitors can access the Office's calendar from the front page. The calendar includes all important workshop events, dates, and registration information. Links to the Office's Twitter and Blog are provided as well.

There are special sections designed for faculty and students with customized information to assist each group. Technical support and Frequently Asked Question tabs complete the vast, yet organized information available on the site.

Please visit the site frequently to remain current on the work being done by UL Lafayette to expand electronic learning opportunities for students.