Moodle Updates for Fall 2016

We just updated our Moodle site to version 3.1. There are a variety of new features and improvements to make using Moodle easier. On August 23-24, 2016, the Academic Technologists are holding Moodle Help Desk Hours to meet with individual faculty to provide assistance with getting courses set up in Moodle.  We also have a workshop scheduled for Collecting and Grading Assignments Electronically in Moodle. For more details, times, and to sign up for individual help visit our workshop pages on the campus calendar. Among the improvements for this Fall: Better online grading: faculty can now mark up and grade a variety of document types, including MS Word, … Continue reading Moodle Updates for Fall 2016

What’s New in Academic Technology for Fall 2015

ITS has spent the summer improving our core services and implementing new projects to help with your teaching and research. Today, we’d like to call your attention to some of the additions and changes that you might not have heard about. Classroom A/V Updates: Media Services has updated many rooms this summer. (19 classrooms even have wireless projection capability!) For the full list see the “What’s New in Classroom AV” blog post: https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/blog/2015/08/26/whats-new-in-classroom-av-fall-2015/. SensusAccess: Accessibility of course materials is essential to make sure that all students can participate fully in the academic program. SensusAccess is an online service which converts … Continue reading What’s New in Academic Technology for Fall 2015

New Features in Moodle for Fall 2015

Swarthmore ITS just updated our Moodle site to version 2.8 from version 2.6.  Some highlights from the upgarde include: An improved gradebook with a easier to use grader report, additional grading options, and new grade history report. A new text editor that is easier to use and includes accessibility checking functions.  In addition, the text editor auto-saves your work as you type. Easier quiz creation tools and ability for students to upload files for essay questions For more information on the new features, you can check out the release notes at Moodle.org: New features in Version 2.7 New features in Version 2.8 Continue reading New Features in Moodle for Fall 2015

Moodle Updates for Spring 2015

Moodle Assignments Creating assignments is easier in the upgraded Moodle assignment activity. You will see a single Moodle activity type called “Assignment.” The options for this activity can be configured to allow for single or multiple file upload, online text, or offline activity. More information available here: https://kb.swarthmore.edu:8443/x/K4AxAQ. Academic technologists will hold two workshops on “Online Assignments in Moodle,” which will cover how to create, distribute, grade, and provide feedback for assignments using Moodle.  The workshops will take place on: Wednesday January 28, 10:30AM-11:30AM in McCabe 306 (computer classroom) Thursday January 29, 1:30PM-2:30PM in Kohlberg 326 (Language Resource Center) Turnitin … Continue reading Moodle Updates for Spring 2015

Turnitin + Moodle = Elegant

Working with Moodle and Turnitin.com just got really easy here at Swarthmore. ITS recently completed a project to fully integrate the Turnitin.com service with Moodle.  Turnitin can support you with grading, grammar, plagiarism checking, and peer review services.  It is now possible to create an assignment in Moodle and have student papers automatically submitted to Turnitin.com. Turnitin can be used to detect similarities in content to websites, journal articles, or other student papers, and can be used to do online grading, including voice annotations.  In addition, Turnitin can automatically assign student papers for peer review.  Peer review can be done anonymously, if desired. Here are … Continue reading Turnitin + Moodle = Elegant

Moodle Workshops and Training Opportunities for Fall 2014

ITS is offering several Moodle workshops and one-on-one sessions to help get your courses ready for the Fall 2014 semester. Introduction to Moodle Workshop This hands-on workshop will cover how to set up a course in Moodle, upload a syllabus and readings, handle student enrollments, send class emails, and provide an overview of other features available in Moodle. Tuesday 8/26/14 from 1:30PM – 2:30PM in Trotter 201 Monday 9/1/14 from 1:30PM – 2:30PM in ITS Media Center (Beardsley 114) What’s New in Moodle for Fall 2014 Some of the major new features in Moodle include: annotating PDF assignment files from within … Continue reading Moodle Workshops and Training Opportunities for Fall 2014