Get started with Moodle 4 staff guide

When developing your Moodle module, accessibility regulations state that the structure of your module and the design of your content must be accessible. Maximise your content and ensure that it is accessible to the greatest number of users. Review our guidance below on creating an accessible module.

Related guidance

Typically Moodle modules are arranged in three columns using the City Course Format.

• Content is presented in the central column in collapsible sections.
• The Module index in a panel on the left provides a table of contents view of the module content. The panel can be closed and opened and the sections within the index can be collapsed and expanded.
• Additional information and functionality provided via the Block drawer on the the right-hand side of the module. 
• You can choose to close the Module index and Block drawer and Hide Module dashboard to increase your working space when designing or navigating modules.

Modules can be organised either by topics or by weeks.

1. You can change to a weekly format by selecting Settings from the contextual navigation menu above the module title.
2. Set the Start date of the module.
3. Scroll down to Course format settings.
4. Select Weekly from the Format to use drop-down.
5. Scroll to the end of the page and select Save and display. Your sections will display in a weekly format with the start date being the first week available.

The Module dashboard provides quick access to Activities available in your module and Quick Links to key services including Timetabling. When using the City Course Format, the Module Dashboard always displays at the top of the page even when you are accessing on a mobile.

• Each user can choose to Hide or Show the Module dashboard.
• Seven Activities will display with the remainder available from View More.
• With Edit mode switched on, staff can change the order of the Activities or Quick Links to prioritise what's important for your students.

Content is presented in the central column in collapsible sections. These are expanded by default.

1. Select the Collapse all button to the right of the General Topic to collapse all topics.

   

2. When sections are collapsed, select Expand all to open all sections again.

Module content is delivered in the form of resources and activities that you create to help students meet the outcomes of your module.

1. To start adding content, turn Edit mode on from the top right of the page.
2. Select the section where you want to display the content.

   

3. Select Add an activity or resource. The Activity chooser opens in an overlay window. Use the Activity chooser to select an activity or resource and complete the steps.

The Activity Chooser is structured in tabs to help you quickly find the relevant activity/resource to add to your modules.

1. Starred: Activities/resources that you have chosen to star because you use them regularly. Starring activities/resources helps you to quickly locate and add them to your module. 
2. All: Available activities/resources.
3. Activities: All activity types (e.g. Forum, Assignment, Glossary).
4. Resources: Content types to help you present and display content (e.g. Page, Book, Label).
5. Recommended: Most commonly used activity and resource types across City Moodle modules.
6. If you can't find what you are looking for start typing into the Search field.

Common file types that are uploaded to Moodle modules will automatically be assessed by Ally and receive an accessibility score viewable only to enrolled lecturers on the module. These accessibility scores are created by checking the resource against each of the requirements of UK legislation for web accessibility relevant to higher education and then also given a weight based on how much of an accessibility challenge an issue may pose to education.

The accessibility score assesses the way content is conveyed to students, not the quality of the content itself. For example, a low accessibility score for a resource may be because it is a scanned PDF of a photocopied book, not because the book itself or content therein is of pedagogical low quality. 

These accessibility scores include:

• Explaining which specific issues are the easiest to improve, with step-by-step guidance
• Explaining which specific issues are the most important and impactful to improve, with step-by-step guidance
• A weighted aggregate score for the whole module to identify successes and areas for improvement across the module

You can use a Moodle PlaySpace to explore different Moodle structures, features and to test different activities. IT set up PlaySpaces for all staff on 17th July 2023. If you are a new staff member, you can request a PlaySpace using the Non-SITS Moodle module request form and choose PlaySpace as the Enrolment type in the form.

This screencast provides an overview of how to navigate and edit a module page which is using the City Course format.