Friday, January 28, 2011

Moodle Instructions

A Moodle course shell is generally made up of several blocks. The center block of the course is for the faculty member to post various resources to the Moodle site (i.e., materials that a faculty member shares with students) or activities (i.e.,tasks that students must complete).
The blocks on the left and right hand sides provide quick links to course resources and news information about course events.
Every course has a News Forum where announcements can be posted, These items will be emailed to students and it will also appear in the latest news box in the right hand column of your website.
There is also an Email block at the top of the right hand column on the screen for faculty who prefer to send email to students. Click compose to send a message. There is also a copy of every email sent listed under History.
To add materials, click the Turn on editing button located in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Once editing is on, you will see the following icons:
Picture 1.png
The help icon will open a pop-up window with information
about an item.


Picture 2.png
The left arrow icon is used to indent course elements or
move blocks from one side of the screen to another. There is also a right
arrow icon.


Picture 3.png
The move icon allows course materials to be solved
vertically on the screen.


Picture 4.png
The move here icon appears when moving course materials.


Picture 5.png
The edit icon lets you update individual resources,
activities, or section headings.


Picture 6.png
The delete icon will permanently
remove an item link from the course.


Picture 7.png
The open-eye icon means an item or section is visible to
students. It will become invisible when you click on it.


Picture 8.png
The closed-eye icon means an item or section is hidden
from students. It will become visible when you click on it.


Picture 9.png
The individual icon indicates that an activity is meant to
be completed by each students.


Picture 10.png
The group icon indicates that an activity is meant to be
completed in small groups.


Picture 11.png
The one icon hides all other sections of a course.


Picture 12.png
The all icon redisplays all sections of a course.


The marker icon highlights a section of a course.


Picture 13.png
The up arrow icon allows sections or blocks to be moved
vertically on the screen. There is also a down arrow icon.


Administration Block:
  • Settings – Allows the instructor to change the layout of the course.
  • Assign Roles – Allows the instructor to add (or delete) students to the course.
  • Grades – Links directly to the course grade book tool
  • Groups – Allows the instructor to divide the class into smaller units for projects, etc.
  • Backup – Creates a zip file containing resources and activities posted to the courtse site as well as student data.
  • Restore – Takes materials from a zip archive and adds them to the course site.
  • Import – Copies materials to the course site from another course currently available in the system.
  • Reset – Delete all student data.
  • Reports – Provides access to logs that describe how students are using the course site.
  • Questions – Links directly to a database of test questions that have been created for the course.
  • Files – Links directly to a list of files that have been uploaded to the course site.
Adding Resources (Course Materials)
Posting a document/link to a website
  • Using the Add a resource drop-down menu, select Link to a file or website.
  • Give the item a name.
  • Write a description of the item (optional)
  • When linking to a file, click on Choose or upload a file
-Click upload a file if the file isn’t already on the list and Browse your computer to
add the file.
- Click Choose next to the file that you want to add.
  • When linking to a website, type the URL in the box or search for a web page.
  • Change window to new window.
  • Click Save adn return to course.
Updating course documents
  • Click on Files in the Administration Block
  • Click upload a file and Browse your computer to add the file. (Make sure that it has the same name as the original version.) Then click upload this file.
  • It is not necessary to re-attach the new version to the resource on the course front page. The new version will automatically be displayed IF it has the same name as the original.
Creating/Displaying a file directory
  • Click on Files in the Administration Bloc.
  • Click on Make a Folder
  • Give the folder a name and click Create,
  • Click on the folder’s name in the file list to open.
  • Click upload a file and Browse your computer to add a file to the folder. then click upload this file. (repeat this process for every file you want to have appear in that folder.)
  • To display the entire folder, return to course front page by clicking on the course name in the breadcrumb trial at the top of the page.
  • Using the Add a resource drop-down menu, select Display a directory.
  • Give the item a name.
  • Select the name of the folder that you want to display from the Display a directory drop-down menu.
  • Click Save and return to course.
Other types of resources
  • Insert a label – Allows the instructor to add text that will display on the main course page.
  • Compose a text page – Allows the instructor to create a text page.
  • Compose a web page – Allows the instructor to create a web page using a very basic WYSIWYG editor.
Adding Activities
Adding an Assignment (Digital Drop Box)
  • Using the Add an activity drop-down menu, select Upload a single file or Advanced uploading of files. Advanced uploading of files will allow students to upload tp to 20 files at one time.
  • Give the assignment a name.
  • Write a description of the assignment. You may also link to a document in the Files area using the “hyperlink” icon.
  • Change Grade to No grade if not using the Moodle Gradebook or select number of points that the assignment will be worth. If using the Moodle Gradebook you can also choose a grade category for the assignment at the bottom of the screen.
  • Select dates when students will be permitted to upload the assignment or disable them entirely.
  • Click Save and return to course.
Creating a Forum (Discussion Board)
  • Using the Add an activity drop-down menu, select Forum.
  • Give the forum a name. Select a forum type. Click on the “question mark” icon to learn about the 4 different types of forums.
  • Write an introduction to the forum.
  • Choose a subscription preference.
  • Click Save and return to course.
Other Types of activities
  • Assignments – Allows student submission of files. (Digital Drop Box)
  • Chat – A real -time synchronous discussion.
  • Choice – a quick poll, a question and specifies a choice from multiple possible responses.
  • Database – Allows faculty and students to build, display, and search a collection of entries that might include text, numbers, images, or URLs.
  • Glossary – Allows faculty and students to create and maintain a list of terminology used in the course.
  • Hot Potatoes – An independent software application that faculty can use to create interactive, multiple choice, short answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises which can then be uploaded to Moodle.
  • Journal – Allows students to record reflections about the course which are only shared with the instructor.
  • Lesson – A series of activities that follow different paths based on student responses to questions.
  • Questionnaire – Creates a multi-question survey that students can respond to.
  • Quiz – Creates test that may include objective and subjective questions.
  • Wiki – A writing tool that allows faculty and students to write collaboratively.
This manual was originally issued by the College of the Holy Cross. All credit goes to its original authors.
General URL: https://learning.holycross.edu/hcmoodle19/login/index.php
CHC Website: http://www.holycross.edu

Blogs: Free and easy


What’s new (relatively), fun and easy and doesn’t cost you a cent? A blog!
What’s a blog? Well a blog is the short form for a Weblog. So a blog is basically a web site in which entries are made and displayed in a reverse chronological order. A blog usually contains comments and sharing of information and views on any subject. Though mostly focused on text, others may focus on photograph (photoblog), videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting). Creating and running a blog is as easy as child’s play. (Children, please don’t get offended.) Weblogs can be created in just a few minutes. There are plenty of sites which allow you to register and start your own blog for free. All you need is an email and a topic.

Whats so great about blogging is that it gives you the ability to publish your thoughts. For those who enjoy writing, like sharing ideas and like to be heard, blogging is the thing to do. With plenty of blog sites in the World Wide Web, one can easily find a blog that matches ones interests.

You can setup and run a blog for free. With Googles Adsense, you can generate Ad revenues, which you can also put in with much ease. Many blog hosts provide it as an option while building your blog.
  
Weblogs are a great way to share information with others who share similar interests. It's also a great opportunity for you to learn. However blogging has its own area of concerns. Bloggers write under a pseudonym and thus feel protected enough to write things which can have undesirable consequences. Sometimes bloggers are guilty of releasing proprietary or confidential information. Another area of concern of blogging is defamation of character. A third area of concern is employees who write about aspects of their place of employment or their personal lives, and then face loss of employment or other adverse consequences.

Weblogs are a great way to share your ideas and thoughts but must be used keeping in mind the possibility of defamation and infringement of company and state laws regarding information sharing.

Some websites that offer free blogs: https://www.blogger.com/start
http://clearblogs.com
http://www.livejournal.com
http://www.blog.com

How technology changed our World

Technology is changing at a rapid pace. With in a short span of time, we have witnessed a vast change in the technological sector, and its impact on our daily lives can be felt. With the rate at which the technology is evolving, it is hard to predict what will happen in the near future. What is today everyone’s handy gadget may not be so tomorrow. With the passage of time and the evolution of technology, new products will appear in the market but only a few will reign, the rest will disappear. However the change they introduce into our lives will remain, or in other words, the changes in the technology will change our lives. Of that we can be sure as we have already experienced them.

Technology has changed the life of all those who have come in contact with it. Some changes are more direct than others and their effect more permanent. Such to the extent that it changes the way we perceive things and in fact it determines how we get along in life. What these technologies are that actually cause such major changes in the life of a person can’t be exactly pointed out as every one of us are influenced by different technologies and other non-technological things.

But nevertheless we are very much affected by the technological changes that assist us in our daily lives. Our lives have been influenced to a point of no return by these advances in devices and services. What are the technological advances or inventions that have changed our lives? Here are some 10 revolutionizing items we came up with and are listed  in no particular order.

Computer: the father of laptops, computer must be the greatest invention till date. Internet: Resized the world in terms of information accessibility.
Cell Phones: Redefined “staying in touch”.
iPod: Changed the way you walk down the street.
The washing machine: No doubt played a role in the women’s Liberation!
Debit Cards: Who needs cash when you’ve got a debit card?
Digital Cameras: Revolutionized the way we view pictures, or more precisely take pictures.
Contact lens: Took a load off the nose and ears!
Satellite TV: Redefined home entertainment and turned the idiot tube into a dumb blonde!
DVDs: Better pictures and sound and most importantly eliminated the need to rewind.

Tips for laptop owners


The laptop is one of the coolest creations of the modern technology. They’re sleek, beautiful, useful, and obedient and you can even take them to bed! Ever since you set your eyes on them, you have had the urge to buy them. Its love at first sight! If you’ve bought one, you’ll need to take good care of it so that it’ll last long. Here are some tips a laptop lover like you ought to know.


  1. Laptops can run both on battery and on a power supply. Do not over recharge your battery. When you have access to a power supply, use it, and take out the battery if it’s charged.
     
  2. A laptops screen consumes the most power. When your laptop is running on battery, you can extend the power life by dimming your screen. Also, consider disabling auto Bluetooth and WiFi network detection.
     
  3. If you happen to spill some liquid on your laptop, shut down the laptop immediately and take out the battery and disconnect all the peripherals. Then lift and turn the laptop on to its side to drain any liquid. Then use a hair dryer to dry it.
     
  4. To protect your laptop from dust and dirt, use an skin cover. Skin cover protects your keyboard and screen from getting dirty and dusty. They’re easy to clean and make typing a silent job. However you might have some difficulty in getting the perfect fit.
     
  5. A laptop case is a must as you will be carrying your favorite gadget around. A good laptop case should cushion your laptop from minor bumps, keep it dry and be durable.
     
  6. Laptops are more prone to hard drive failure so remember to regularly make backups of your data. Laptops are also more liable to get lost or stolen so you might want to encrypt your data.

MS Word file into PDF file

Knowing how to save a Word file in PDF format is very useful for many reasons. First of all, PDF (portable document file) ensure format of your printed or viewed document. Secondly, a rather lengthy Word document saved in PDF format can be time-saving because there are a great deal of options in a PDF file, such as next/previous arrows, that allows readers to view instead of scrolling the whole document.
To save a Word file in PDF format, follow steps below:
1)      Click the Microsoft Office Button
, on the top left of Microsoft Word screen
2)      Select PDF or XPS option under Save As
3)      In the File Name, type a name for the document
4)      Click PDF in the Save As Type list   
5)      Select Open file after publishing check box (available only if a PDF reader is installed in your computer) after saving the document if users want to view
6)      Next to Optimize for are the two printing options. Choose one that fits your document size
7)      If printing/printing certain desired pages is needed, click Options
8)      Click Publish

Computer Maintenance

Slow computers plague college campuses worldwide. The fact that your computer seems to be the slowest computer on the planet may be because computer maintenance is being neglected. Consequently, computer maintenance may be being neglected because the proper measures for maintaining a personal computer are not known. But, not to worry, there is a way for you to become more computer savvy and improve computer efficiency.

Freeing up memory on your computer can make all the difference when it comes to performance.

The first, and perhaps the most important, step in freeing up memory on your computer is determining how much space your computer actually has and how much space is being used.

  1. Press ctrl+alt+del and open the ‘Task Manager’
  2. Select the ‘Performance’ tab

You will be able to see the amount of memory your computer contains as well as the amount of memory that is currently being used and determine whether lack of memory is the root of the problem. Once you have assessed the damage, you can proceed reverse it.

There are several methods by which you can free up space on your computer:

  1. Run a pc scan using the antivirus software on your computer, i.e. Sophos. A pc scan will remove any clutter that may have accumulated on your computer.
  2. Delete any unnecessary files or programs that you do not use.

Also, if the internet is running slower than normal, that process can be sped up by deleting ‘Temporary Internet Files’.
Steps to delete temporary files:
a.       Open Internet browser
b.      Select ‘Tools’ on main menu
c.       Click on ‘Internet Options’
d.      Under ‘General’ tab, select ‘Delete Cookies’ and ‘Delete Files’ 

Freeing up space on your computer should serve to improve its performance and also save you time that could be used more effectively.

Configuring Wireless

Automatic Wireless Setup
Make sure the laptop’s wireless indicator light is turned on.
Click on the Network Icon at the bottom right of the taskbar.
Select CWC as the network you want to connect to.
Enter the Network Key:   cwccollegecwc

Manual Wireless Setup
  1. Open the Control Panel – Network Internet Connections – Network Connection – Right Click on the Wireless Networks Connections – Properties – Wireless Networks tab.
  2. Click Add….


·         Network name (SSID): CWC
·         Network Authentication: Open
·         Data encryption: WEP
·         Network key: cwccollegecwc    -enter twice
·         Key index (advanced):  1
·         Uncheck the option to have the key provided automatically
·         OK