The methods described here are recommended as they have been tested on multiple devices (including mobiles devics, Macintosh, PC, and Chromebooks). The materials can be viewed on each devices, and the experience of accessing the materials is consistent across the devices. These methods are further recommended as they are the same regardless of the type of materials being added.

The recommendations described here are grounded in the assumption that faculty share the belief that their primary responsibility is to ensure all students are able to interact with class materials with as few barriers as can be managed.

These recommendations are based on the assumption that the materials being uploaded to Moodle are for informational purposes. If faculty use specialized software and file types in their instruction then other methods are recommended. 

Why Pages? explains the rationale for recommending faculty use pages over other options.

Word Processor Files

Perhaps the most commonly used application for creating content is one?s word processor. Microsoft Word and Apple?s Pages being the dominant titles. The method for adding word processing files to your Moodle classroom depends on the nature of the information in it.

Final Version

If the information is in its final version (for example a study guide for an upcoming test), then faculty should:

To Be Updated Version

If the information is to be changed, and the changes are relevant to the students (e.g. schedule of who is presenting in class)

The file will be displayed in a new browser tab. Recent changes will be displayed whenever the page is saved.

To Be Edited Version

If the file is a worksheet, report template, or other files that will be changed by the student:

Students will have the option of using the "File - Make a copy" command to save a copy of the file which they can edit as necessary.


Presentation Files from Powerpoint or Keynote

Another commonly used application for creating content is one?s presentation software Microsoft Powerpoint and Apple?s Keynote being the dominant titles. The method for adding presentation files to your Moodle classroom depends on the nature of the information in it.

Presentations Containing only Text and Graphics in the Final Revision

"To Be Edited" Version of a Presentation

If the file is a file that will be changed by the student:

A Presentation Containing Voice Over

    • Create the Powerpoint and add the voice over;
    • Export the Powerpoint presentation as a video;
    • Upload the video to YouTube;
    • Embed the YouTube video in your Moodle classroom.
This entire process is described on "Adding a Powerpoint Presentation;" it also summarizes saving your presentation as a PDF file.


PDF Files from Publishers

Many faculty use articles and reports from other publishers. These may come from textbook publishers, full-text databases, governments or organizations, or other sources. To avoid the problem of "disappearing files" (resources that are removed by the publisher, it is recommended that faculty add a copy of the PDF to the Google Drive, then add the link to that file. That also allows the PDF to be annotated. 



YouTube Videos

To avoid the distractions of recommended videos and comments, it is recommended that faculty embed YouTube videos in Moodle "Pages." Notice as well that "Pages" are built with the ATTO text editor, so YouTube videos can be embedded in forums or any other items where the editors is used.



Audio, Video, Images on your Phone

Students and faculty are likely to have audio, video, and images on their smartphones or computers they want to share. These files can be uploaded to Google Drive, then linked into "Moodle Pages" or any other items created with the "ATTO text editor." Please be aware that audio and video needs to be accompanied by a transcript to be ADA compliant. 



Spreadsheets

When faculty have data sets to share with students, they often choose to add the data to a spreadsheet. The recommendations depend on the type of data to be shared.

Final Version

Most who have graphs or charts that are not going to be edited choose to add the data to presentations of word processing files. Faculty should take care to avoid screenshots of charts as those cannot be read by screen readers.


To Be Updated Version

Excel or other spreadsheet files can be uploaded to Google Drive, then those can be linked to Moodle Pages in the same way word processing files can be.

To Be Edited Version

Excel or other spreadsheet files can be uploaded to Google Drive, then those can be linked to Moodle Pages in the same way word processing files can be.

Last modified: Monday, June 15, 2020, 8:11 AM