Why learning basic skills in Moodle management matters, and how to go about it.
Moodle is a well-known Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and I am sure many of you are already familiar with it, whether as educators or students. Due to the growing shift towards blended and online learning, VLEs like Moodle have become central to teaching and learning. Moodle management involves more than just building and editing courses. It is also about navigating the platform effectively and making the most of its features.
As an online educator, you may be a Moodle user without editing or creating permissions, or your institution may have granted you some level of access to edit or create courses. Whatever the case, in this article, I discuss why learning basic skills in Moodle management matters for both you and your students, and offer tips to help you improve your confidence and practical know-how on the platform.
Non-editing Moodle Users
If you are a non-editing Moodle user, it is because your institution has not granted permission to edit or create content, often due to policy or to meet accreditation standards. You should not consider this a disadvantage! In some institutions with standardised or centrally designed courses, educators are not typically given access to modify online courses, as the content must remain consistent across all student groups. Universities usually have their own Moodle support team for technical assistance and troubleshooting, working alongside the course development team, which designs, builds and updates courses.
Even if you are a non-editing Moodle user, there is still plenty you can do on Moodle to teach and engage with your students. You can message your students directly, post announcements, participate in course forums, view and assess assignment submissions with scores and feedback, manage your gradebook, and even track student activities.
Moodle can help you communicate with your students promptly and effectively. It also encourages better time management for both educators and students, and helps you feel more in control of your teaching and your students’ learning, even if you cannot edit your course. There are several features I like on Moodle, from peer assessment to Moodle-integrated plugins such as plagiarism detection tools, as well as rubrics and scales, which are very handy in the assessment of student learning outcomes. I also appreciate how Moodle makes activities more engaging, from video and audio integration to interactive quizzes and assignments, as well as gamification features that encourage student learning. Additionally, Moodle is designed to meet accessibility standards, and the mobile app allows students to learn on the go.
There are so many advantages, and a whole world of possibilities on Moodle; therefore, learning basic skills in Moodle management will be advantageous, although the way you use it in the classroom for teaching will also depend on the teaching guidance provided by your institution. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with your institution’s Moodle layout, tools and policies and other faculty resources. Focus on building skills relevant to your courses and students, and learning Moodle based on your teaching goals and needs. You can start by accessing your Institution’s orientation or Moodle user guide. The key is to practice regularly to build both confidence and knowledge. For example, try using various assessment and feedback tools, engage in forums, and keep track of student participation.
The Instructor-Editor or Instructor-Designer role
There are various roles and levels of permissions in Moodle’s editing and design settings. Depending on your institution’s policy, you might hold the role of an “editing teacher”; therefore, you can edit course content. If you are assigned the “course creator” role, you can create entire courses. Those with a “Manager” and “Administrator” role can edit the entire Moodle site.
Are you an educator with an “editing teacher” role on Moodle? This is quite common in flexible or autonomous teaching environments, where teachers are responsible for teaching, managing and updating their courses.
This role technically gives you certain advantages. You can modify the course based on your teaching style and the needs of your students; for example, you can add or remove material based on student needs. You can also create activities that are more accessible, interactive, and navigation-friendly. You have greater control over how the course looks, runs and how learning is assessed, though you are still restricted from site-wide admin functions.
However, I would advise caution. It is reassuring to know that technical support and the course development team are still available to support and advise you. That said, editing permissions in Moodle require skill, knowledge and confidence, so it is important to learn and prepare well. Also, please keep all institutional policies in mind and understand what you are and are not allowed to do. For example, before adjusting activity deadlines or enrolling users in a course, be mindful of any policy-related restrictions that may apply.
I can also offer additional tips. As an “editing teacher”, start by accessing and carefully reading your institution’s Moodle user guides and teaching-related guidance. Learn and work methodologically. Aim for a clear, consistent and easy-to-navigate layout in your courses. Ask yourself whether a particular activity is necessary, suitable for the course, and accessible to all students. When updating your course, consider your student demographics and understand what technology they use and how they learn most effectively. Keep your course tidy: hide or archive activities that are not needed, and preview everything as a student before the course goes live. Finally, remember that you may need to collaborate with the relevant support teams and report any course changes to your institution.
Resources for skill building
Here are some ideas for resources to help you improve your Moodle management over time.
- Utilise internal resources such as your institution’s videos, short courses, tutorials and user guides.
- Moodle Docs provides official, regularly updated documentation.
- Moodle Academy features great short courses, videos and a helpful community.
- Check out the Moodle YouTube Channel for informative how-to videos.
- Access Moodle Community Forums for peer-to-peer learning.
- Search for Moodle-related courses on LinkedIn Learning and Udemy.
- Ask knowledgeable colleagues and officers for guidance.
- Don’t forget that you can get guidance with Artificial Intelligence tools.
- Practice your Moodle management skills on the Official Moodle Sandbox. The Sandbox is a private space on Moodle where users can experiment with content and features without affecting live courses. Alternatively, request access to your Institutional Sandbox or test courses.
Exploring these resources will help refine your skills over time, so don’t hesitate to dive in!
Conclusion
Moodle helps you become more present, responsible and engaging with your students, enhancing both your teaching and their learning. You need to feel confident using Moodle, regardless of your user permissions. Practice regularly, stay curious, and learn from others to develop your technical literacy. Your students will benefit from it.
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