Directions

Accessing Moodle
    * Do not use the browser Safari.  It does not support all the Moodle functions.  Use Firefox or Internet Explorer.
    * login page
    * Username = net ID
    * Password = Campus Active Directory password


Moodle Functions
    * Quick connections to course web pages
    * Communication with instructors and classmates
    * Complete assignments requiring Moodle posts
    * Keep track of your grades for discussion and the course.

Set up of the Moodle Course


Blocks on left and right of page
    * Left side blocks
          o People Block - you can search the list of course participants.
          o Activities Block
                + Forums - Quick access to a list of all the forums in the Moodle course
                + Resources - Quick access to a list of the web links in the Moodle course
          o Administration Block
                + Grades - Your discussion (including participation and graded assignments), quizler, exam, and lecture participation grades will be entered as the course progresses.  A running course grade percentage will be available to you.
                + Profile - You may access and edit your personal profile for Moodle.  Do not change your name entry.  This is your "Official" course roster name that will be associated with your course grade record.  You may add a picture and other personal information to be associated with your profile and forum posts.  Please use common sense and consider the sensibilities of your classmates and teachers when selecting an image or personal information to associate with your name.
          o My Courses Block
                + A list of Biology Moodle Courses for which you are registered.
    * Right side blocks
          o Latest News - Watch this block for course announcements.
          o Upcoming Events - Go to calendar to see listings of upcoming course events.

Topic Outline-Introductory section

    * What's up with the lecture!! - Forum to use to communicate directly with course lecturers.
    * Environmental Buzz - We will use this forum to post information on the latest news about the environment.
    * Course Announcement Forum - detailed listing of new course information (also posted on homepage).

Topic Outline
Sections #1:  Extra Credit projects are posted here.
Sections 2-3:Discussion forums for each instructor for communication and posting of your Moodle assignments.  If you click on the square at the end of the line, the list will collapse to just that Topic.


Forums Reading Posts and Replies
    * Click on the forum you want to enter.  Forums are indicated by .
    * You may read previous posts and associated replies by clicking on the discussion "subject" of the posting you want to read.

    * This will open the posting and all the attached replies.

    * Clicking on the name of a post's author will display the author's profile information.
    * To add your own posting, click on the "Add a new discussion topic" button.  Type in a meaningful subject and then compose your message.

    * To reply to a previous post, click on the subject of the post to display the posting and previous replies.  You may write a reply to the original posting or to any reply attached to the original.  Click on the appropriate "Reply" button and compose your reply post.

Composing and Editing Your Moodle Post
    * Click the "Add a new discussion topic" button to post a new message or click "Reply" on an existing message to compose a reply to a message.
    * Be sure to enter an appropriate and meaningful "Subject" line.
    * Type your post in the "Message" blank.  Press "Save Changes" to post your new message to the forum.
    * You have 30 minutes from the time you post your message to make edits.  After that time you may delete your message if you wish.  If you need to make additions after your editing privileges have expired, you can simply compose a reply to your original message and include your changes/additions.
    * The horizontal menu at the top of the Moodle message blank allows you to customize your message, much like word processing software.  You can select the font, font size, bolding, italics, underline, text alignment, list functions, font color, and text background color.  Rolling your mouse cursor over the editing icons will pop up a label for each one.
    * If you wish to post a long message, you may compose your message in a word processing program, like MS Word, and copy and paste the text into the Moodle message blank.
    * You can include links to web pages in your Moodle messages. Find the web page you want to link in your Moodle message and copy the address to your computer memory. (This is facilitated by opening a second browser window.)  Type the text that describes the web page in your Moodle message blank.  This text will be the clickable text of your link.  Select the text for the link and click on the "Insert Web Link" icon in the editing menu at the top of the message window.  (The icon looks like 3 tiny chain links.)  Paste the web page address in the URL blank of the dialog box and click "OK".  When you have finished your new message, press "Post to Forum" or "Save Changes" if you are editing a previous posting.   Be sure to test your link in your message to be sure it works.
    * You can add web images to your message.  Find the web image you want to include in your Moodle message and copy the address to your computer memory.  Click on the picture icon in the editing menu at the top of the message window.  Paste the web image address in the Image URL blank of the dialog box and click "OK".  When you have finished your new message press "Post to Forum" or "Save Changes" if you are editing a previous posting.  Be sure to check out the image in your message.
    * You can add a table to your message.  Click on the table icon in the editing menu at the top of the message window.  Select the number of rows and columns you will need and click "OK".  A blank table will be inserted into the message blank and you can type in the information for each cell. When you have finished your new message press "Post to Forum" or "Save Changes" if you are editing a previous posting.
    * Other editing Icons allow you to insert a selection of "Smiley faces", use special characters, and conduct a search and replace of your message test.