Note: This documentation is for Moodle 2.7. For up-to-date documentation see Course homepage.

Course homepage: Difference between revisions

From MoodleDocs
(activity chooser default setting→‎Activities and resources)
No edit summary
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
Our examples will be for a course homepage that is the standard default for a new install on a site.  There are many course options that determine a course's appearance and make it look very different from our examples. The example course has a header, a footer (both content largely determined by a theme) and 3 columns in the middle.   
Our examples will be for a course homepage that is the standard default for a new install on a site.  There are many course options that determine a course's appearance and make it look very different from our examples. The example course has a header, a footer (both content largely determined by a theme) and 3 columns in the middle.   


[[Image:Blankcourselayout.png|thumb|600px|none|Example of Weekly format, teacher view, edit off - [https://docs.moodle.org/20/en/File:Blankcourselayout.png full resolution here]]]
[[Image:Blankcourselayout.png|thumb|600px|none|Example of Weekly format, teacher view, edit off - [https://docs.moodle.org/en/File:Blankcourselayout.png full resolution here]]]


===Parts of a course homepage===
===Parts of a course homepage===
Line 18: Line 18:
| *4 [[Navigation block]]|| *8 Future week  - Second section|| *11 [[Latest News block|Latest news]]
| *4 [[Navigation block]]|| *8 Future week  - Second section|| *11 [[Latest News block|Latest news]]
|-
|-
| *5 [[Settings block]]||*14 "Show only this section"  || *12 [[Upcoming Events block|Upcoming events]]
| *5 [[Administration block]]|| || *12 [[Upcoming Events block|Upcoming events]]
|-
|-
| *15 "Switch role to"||  || *13 [[Recent Activity block|Recent activity]]
| *14 "Switch role to"||  || *13 [[Recent Activity block|Recent activity]]
|-
|-
| *16 User profile settings ||  ||  
| *15 User profile settings ||  ||  
|-
|-
| *17 Site Administration || ||
| *16 Site administration|| ||
|}
|}


Line 31: Line 31:
Course sections are displayed in the centre of the course page.
Course sections are displayed in the centre of the course page.


To edit a course section:
===To edit a course section===


# Turn editing on
# Turn editing on
# Click the edit icon after the section title
# Click the edit icon after the section title


{{New features}}If [[Conditional activities]] are enabled for the site, access to the section (including all activities and resources within it) may be restricted.  
If [[Conditional activities]] are enabled for the site, access to the section (including all activities and resources within it) may be restricted.  


{{New features}}The number of course sections in the centre column may be changed in ''Settings > Course administration > Edit settings'' or by clicking the plus or minus icons at the bottom of the course page when editing is turned on.
The number of course sections in the centre column may be changed in ''Administration > Course administration > Edit settings'' or by clicking the plus or minus icons at the bottom of the course page when editing is turned on.


{|
{|
Line 45: Line 45:
|}
|}


To move a course section:
===To move a course section===
#Turn editing on
#Turn editing on
#Click the up/down arrow or the crosshairs icon to move the section
#Click the up/down arrow or the crosshairs icon to move the section
#Drag the section to where you want to position it and let go
#Drag the section to where you want to position it and let go
Note: The ability to move course sections is controlled by the capability [[Capabilities/moodle/course:movesections|moodle/course:movesections]], which is allowed for the default role of teacher.
===To delete a course section===
There is no way to delete a course section as such. 
#Three options for a work around are in this post: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=243077
#There is a plugin here: https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=block_quickset
#The tracker item https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-10405 has a hack that seems to work.


==Blocks==
==Blocks==
Line 56: Line 63:
To add a block to the course page
To add a block to the course page


#Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in ''Settings > Course administration''
#Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in "Administration > Course administration''
#Select a block from the "Add block" dropdown menu (usually situated bottom right of the page)
#Select a block from the "Add block" dropdown menu (usually situated bottom right of the page)


{{New features}}To move a block
To move a block
#Ensure editing is turned on then click onto the block title until the crosshair icon appears
#Ensure editing is turned on then click onto the block title until the crosshair icon appears
#While keeping the block selected, drag it to where you want to position it and let go.
#While keeping the block selected, drag it to where you want to position it and let go.
Line 75: Line 82:


To add an activity or resource to the course
To add an activity or resource to the course
#Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in ''Settings > Course administration.''
#Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in ''Administration > Course administration.''
#Click 'Add an activity or resource' to open the new activity chooser. Select an activity or resource then click the Add button, or simply double-click on the activity or resource name.{{New features}}
#Click 'Add an activity or resource' to open the new activity chooser. Select an activity or resource then click the Add button, or simply double-click on the activity or resource name.


If desired, the activity chooser can be switched off via ''Settings > Course administration > Activity chooser off''. Activities and resources can then be added using dropdown menus.
If desired, the activity chooser can be switched off via ''Administration > Course administration > Activity chooser off''. Activities and resources can then be added using dropdown menus. (The setting appears only when editing is turned on.)
 
'''Note:''' The Moodle admin can switch this off by default in ''Settings>Site administration>Appearance>AJAX and Javascript'' to avoid confusion for people coming from 1.9 to Moodle 2.3. (This feature is available from 2.3.2)


'''Note:''' The Moodle admin can switch this off by default in ''Administration > Site administration > Appearance > AJAX and Javascript''.
{|
{|
| [[File:activity chooser.png|thumb|The activity chooser]]
| [[File:activity chooser.png|thumb|The activity chooser]]
|}
|}


{{New features}}Alternatively, certain resources and activities may be added using drag and drop:
Alternatively, certain resources and activities may be added using drag and drop:


*To add a [[File|file]], simply drag and drop it onto the course section where you'd like it to appear
*To add a [[File|file]], simply drag and drop it onto the course section where you'd like it to appear
Line 93: Line 99:


==Editing elements on your course homepage==
==Editing elements on your course homepage==
With the editing turned on, each item on your course homepage and each section/block will have icons next to it which all perform different functions such as edit/move/copy/delete/hide. '''Note:''' ''your theme may have icons different from these below:'':
With the editing turned on, each item on your course homepage and each section/block will have icons next to it which all perform different functions such as edit/move/copy/delete/hide. See the screencast: [http://youtu.be/3E71FESTMOM Course editing improvements]


:[[Image:quickrename.png]] - the pencil icon allows to rename your item directly on the course page without entering the settings for that item. {{New features}}
''Note:''' ''Your theme may have icons different from these below:''


:[[Image:Edit.gif]] - the edit icon allows you to change the wording or settings of the item.
:[[Image:pencil.png]] - the pencil icon allows you to edit inline the title of the resource / activity


:[[File:Duplicateicon.png]] - the duplicate icon allows you to copy an activity or resource within your course
:[[Image:hide24.png]] - the open-eye icon means an item is visible to students. It will close when you click on it


:[[Image:Open.gif]] - the open-eye icon means an item is visible to students. It will close when you click on it
:[[Image:closedeye24.png]] - the eye with a strike through icon means an item is hidden from students. It will open when you click on it


:[[Image:Closed.gif]] - the closed-eye icon means an item is hidden from students. It will open when you click on it
: [[Image:26duplicate.png|61px|]] - the duplicate icon allows you to copy an activity or resource. It's done directly on the course page.


:[[Image:Right.gif]] - the right icon is used to indent course elements (there is also a left icon)


:[[Image:Move.gif]] - the move icon allows course elements to be placed anywhere
:[[Image:moveajax24.png]]- the move icon allows you to move items or sections by dragging and dropping. (If you have many activities to scroll through while moving, see the Tips and Tricks section below for a useful suggestion.)


:[[Image:Movehere.gif]] - the move here icon appears when moving a course element. Click into the box to re-locate your item.  
:[[Image:movenoajaz241.png]] - this move icon appears if you don't have Ajax enabled.


:[[File:Ajaxmoveicon.png]]- the "crosshairs" move icon allows you to move items or sections by dragging and dropping.
:[[File:groups24.png]] - the groups icon allows you to change between no groups or separate/visible groups


:[[File:Updownarrow.png]] - the up/down arrows allow you to move course sections up or down. It appears if you do not have Ajax enabled in your browser or if it has been disabled by an admin for the site in ''Settings > Site administration > Appearance > Ajax and Javascript''.
:[[Image:26actionicon.png|150px]] - this icon groups actions together for easier editing on smaller screens. Click to reveal the options.  


:[[Image:Delete.gif]] - the delete icon will permanently delete something from the course
:[[Image:movenoajax24.png]] - the move here icon appears when moving a course element without Ajax. Click into the box to re-locate your item.


:[[File:Groupsicon.png]] - the groups icon allows you to change between no groups or separate/visible groups
:[[File:topicmove24.png]] - the up/down arrows allow you to move course sections up or down and  appear if you do not have Ajax enabled.


:[[File:Rolesicon.png]] - the roles icon allows you to assign roles locally in the item.
:[[Image:delete24.png]] - the delete icon will permanently delete something from the course
 
:[[File:groups24.png]] - the groups icon allows you to change between no groups or separate/visible groups
 
:[[File:assignroles24.png]] - the roles icon allows you to assign roles locally in the item.


The following icons are visible when editing is both on and off


The following icon only applies to sections
The following icon only applies to sections


:[[Image:Marker.gif]] - the highlight  icon allows you to highlight a section as current
:[[Image:lightbulb24.png]] - the highlight  icon allows you to highlight a section as current.


==Tips and tricks==
==Tips and tricks==
===Moving items in a course with many activities===
If you click and drag an activity or resource on a course page which has many items, this might cause you difficulties with "scroll of death" issues. Instead of dragging the activity to move it, click on it. It will display a list of all the items on your page and you just need to click to select where on the course page you want the item to be moved to.
[[File:alternativemovemethod.png|thumb|center|500px]]


*Make your course home page look more like a webpage - see [[Course FAQ]]
*Make your course home page look more like a webpage - see [[Course FAQ]]
Line 139: Line 151:
==See also==
==See also==


*[http://prezi.com/oays--oappai/making-my-moodle/ A useful Prezi from a student teacher on designing an effective Moodle course]
*[http://youtu.be/Je9udHLCIv0 How to quickly rename activities and use the activity chooser screencast]
*[http://youtu.be/Je9udHLCIv0 How to quickly rename activities and use the activity chooser screencast]
*[http://youtu.be/1You5H_NXM0 Quickly add a course section in Moodle 2.3 screencast]
*[http://youtu.be/1You5H_NXM0 Quickly add a course section in Moodle 2.3 screencast]
Line 144: Line 157:


[[es:course/view]]
[[es:course/view]]
[[fr:Page de cours]]
[[fr:Page d'accueil de cours]]
[[ja:コースホームページ]]
[[ja:コースホームページ]]
[[de:Kursseite]]
[[de:Kursseite]]

Latest revision as of 20:34, 19 May 2015

Standard view of a blank course

Our examples will be for a course homepage that is the standard default for a new install on a site. There are many course options that determine a course's appearance and make it look very different from our examples. The example course has a header, a footer (both content largely determined by a theme) and 3 columns in the middle.

Example of Weekly format, teacher view, edit off - full resolution here

Parts of a course homepage

Using the above image, here are the parts of a typical course homepage. It is possible to move and hide parts of the page and different themes display blocks in different regions, so not all courses will look like this.

Column left Course sections - Center Column right
*1 Course full name *6 Section header & News topic *9 Login information
*2 Navigation bar *7 Current week - First section *10 Turn editing on button
*4 Navigation block *8 Future week - Second section *11 Latest news
*5 Administration block *12 Upcoming events
*14 "Switch role to" *13 Recent activity
*15 User profile settings
*16 Site administration

Course sections

Course sections are displayed in the centre of the course page.

To edit a course section

  1. Turn editing on
  2. Click the edit icon after the section title

If Conditional activities are enabled for the site, access to the section (including all activities and resources within it) may be restricted.

The number of course sections in the centre column may be changed in Administration > Course administration > Edit settings or by clicking the plus or minus icons at the bottom of the course page when editing is turned on.

Editing a course section
Changing the number of course sections

To move a course section

  1. Turn editing on
  2. Click the up/down arrow or the crosshairs icon to move the section
  3. Drag the section to where you want to position it and let go

Note: The ability to move course sections is controlled by the capability moodle/course:movesections, which is allowed for the default role of teacher.

To delete a course section

There is no way to delete a course section as such.

  1. Three options for a work around are in this post: https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=243077
  2. There is a plugin here: https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=block_quickset
  3. The tracker item https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-10405 has a hack that seems to work.

Blocks

Blocks are displayed in the right and/or left columns of the course page.

To add a block to the course page

  1. Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in "Administration > Course administration
  2. Select a block from the "Add block" dropdown menu (usually situated bottom right of the page)

To move a block

  1. Ensure editing is turned on then click onto the block title until the crosshair icon appears
  2. While keeping the block selected, drag it to where you want to position it and let go.

Alternatively

  1. Click on the up/down arrow
  2. Click on the place holder (a zone with a dashed border) where you want the block to appear.
Crosshair icon for moving a block
Up/down arrow icon for moving a block

Activities and resources

To add an activity or resource to the course

  1. Turn on the editing by clicking the button top right or the link in Administration > Course administration.
  2. Click 'Add an activity or resource' to open the new activity chooser. Select an activity or resource then click the Add button, or simply double-click on the activity or resource name.

If desired, the activity chooser can be switched off via Administration > Course administration > Activity chooser off. Activities and resources can then be added using dropdown menus. (The setting appears only when editing is turned on.)

Note: The Moodle admin can switch this off by default in Administration > Site administration > Appearance > AJAX and Javascript.

The activity chooser

Alternatively, certain resources and activities may be added using drag and drop:

  • To add a file, simply drag and drop it onto the course section where you'd like it to appear
  • To add a folder of files, simply zip the folder then drag and drop it onto the course section where you'd like it to appear, answer 'Unzip files and create folder' to the popup dialogue, then click the upload button
  • To add a SCORM package, simply drag and drop it onto the course section where you'd like it to appear, answer 'Add a SCORM package' to the popup dialogue, then click the upload button

Editing elements on your course homepage

With the editing turned on, each item on your course homepage and each section/block will have icons next to it which all perform different functions such as edit/move/copy/delete/hide. See the screencast: Course editing improvements

Note:' Your theme may have icons different from these below:

pencil.png - the pencil icon allows you to edit inline the title of the resource / activity
hide24.png - the open-eye icon means an item is visible to students. It will close when you click on it
closedeye24.png - the eye with a strike through icon means an item is hidden from students. It will open when you click on it
26duplicate.png - the duplicate icon allows you to copy an activity or resource. It's done directly on the course page.


moveajax24.png- the move icon allows you to move items or sections by dragging and dropping. (If you have many activities to scroll through while moving, see the Tips and Tricks section below for a useful suggestion.)
movenoajaz241.png - this move icon appears if you don't have Ajax enabled.
groups24.png - the groups icon allows you to change between no groups or separate/visible groups
26actionicon.png - this icon groups actions together for easier editing on smaller screens. Click to reveal the options.
movenoajax24.png - the move here icon appears when moving a course element without Ajax. Click into the box to re-locate your item.
topicmove24.png - the up/down arrows allow you to move course sections up or down and appear if you do not have Ajax enabled.
delete24.png - the delete icon will permanently delete something from the course
groups24.png - the groups icon allows you to change between no groups or separate/visible groups
assignroles24.png - the roles icon allows you to assign roles locally in the item.


The following icon only applies to sections

lightbulb24.png - the highlight icon allows you to highlight a section as current.

Tips and tricks

Moving items in a course with many activities

If you click and drag an activity or resource on a course page which has many items, this might cause you difficulties with "scroll of death" issues. Instead of dragging the activity to move it, click on it. It will display a list of all the items on your page and you just need to click to select where on the course page you want the item to be moved to.

alternativemovemethod.png
  • Make your course home page look more like a webpage - see Course FAQ
  • Activity and resource descriptions can be displayed on the course page just below the link to the activity or resource by clicking the 'Display description on course page' checkbox in the activity or resource settings.

Course homepage capabilities

See also