ED TECH NEWS:
MOODLE 4.1: Our team has begun testing Moodle version 4.1, which will be deployed during winter break. Version 4.1 is the second major Moodle update since we moved to version 3.11 last winter, and there have been considerable changes added in that time. For further reference, check out the instructor release notes for version 4.0. Among the most significant upgrades are new navigation options, new activities and resources icons, accessibility improvements, automated course content email notifications (optional), changes to course editing functionality, improvements to the question bank and quiz settings, additional options for homework activities, and MUCH MORE. As we prepare to deploy the new version, look for video tutorials, additional Moodle Minute(s), and other pertinent information in your inbox.
MOODLE CALENDAR DATES:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 — Fall 2022 (2301) courses turned off. We turn courses off 10 days after final grades are due. If you need a course left open for a student with an incomplete, please submit a ticket and let us know the course that needs to remain open and the student(s) who require access.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 — Students are populated into Spring 2023 (2302) standard-start courses. On this date, instructor’s will be able to see students listed in their Moodle participants list. Students will not yet have access to these classes, however. If you’re teaching a late-start course, look for students to be populated in the participant’s list five days before that course’s listed start date. Students won’t be able to see their courses until Sunday (see below)
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 (9 am – 4 pm) — #RUMoodleReady? (VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON): Ed Tech will be available in multiple formats to help with anything Moodle-related — from gradebook setup, the creation of META shells, course transfers, or help on developing content and instructional design. We will be in the Innovation Center room 123 all day or you can join us via Zoom (click to add this event to your calendar). There will be snacks!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 — Spring 2023 (2302) courses will be turned on for students between 1 and 2 pm. The semester begins the following day. If you are still preparing your course(s), please place a note to students at the top of the course page and hide sections you want to remain unavailable.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16 — Spring 2023 (2302) semester begins. Let’s go Hawk Owls!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 — Summer 2021 (2103) courses removed from Moodle. You can backup/download a Moodle course for your records or reach out to us to learn about options for saving older course content. Remember that we also store course files dating back a total 6 years on a remote hard drive and those courses can be retrieved via request.
Finally, if you’ve been assigned to teach a course in the spring of 2023, but the course doesn’t appear in your Moodle dashboard, check with your department manager to make sure you’ve been assigned to the course in the registration software. If you have any questions please contact Ben Post (bpost@nmc.edu). If you need support, please submit a help desk ticket.