Winter 2021 Courses Are Up + New Course Layout

Winter 2021 Courses Are Up + New Course Layout

by Josh Manders -
Number of replies: 0

Instructors,

Brr
 đŸ„¶ almost felt like winter last week didn't it? Winter 2021 courses are now available to Instructors in Moodle and things might look a little different than you are used to (read about the changes below).

Click the "Hidden Courses" link inside your Moodle dashboard or search for your class using the CRN#. Student enrollments will be added one week prior to the beginning of the term (Jan 4th).


đŸ’„ New: Collapsed Topics Course Layout Is The Default Visual Format For All Courses Starting Winter 2021.

Collapsed topics displays multiple weeks/topics that can be 'toggled' on/off to show the activities within. Feedback from instructors and students indicate that everyone benefits from using this layout because it reduces clutter in courses that contain a large number of topics or courses with large amounts of content. This layout option has been widely available, tested, and adopted by a number of instructors for several years.

  • Faster course navigation for mobile and tablet devices. Avoids endless scrolling.
  • Enables the display of a custom title, week date range (auto updates), and week number — or all 3 at once!
  • Customization options for those who want to change the display behavior.

Course format featuring tab based navigation

Image Credit: oxycreates.org/moodle

Too much change at the moment? Like the ol’ weekly format better?
Don’t worry, the weekly layout is core to Moodle and not going away anytime soon. You can switch back to using the simplified weeks format by editing your course settings and changing the “Course format” from “Collapsed Topics” to “Weekly format”.

Screenshot of Course format settings

Image Credit: Southern Oregon University - Distance Education Moodle Support pages


Want to Provide Students Early Access to Your Course?
There are two limiting factors that stop students from directly jumping into your class.

  1. Enrollment: Student enrollment is completed by Moodle Admin 1 week prior to the term starting.
  2. Course Visibility: This on/off setting is set by each instructor. If the course is ‘hidden', no student will be able to access your course at any point.

*** NOTE: Moodle will not monitor course activity till the course start date passes. Students can still look at resources, complete quizzes or assignments, but Moodle reports on course access and individual activity clicks will be severely limited.


LaneOnline Training and Development Opportunities Coming Soon

  • Getting it Together for Winter Term, Remote (Meet/Virtual) Course Building for the Beginner (starts Nov 9)
  • New! Remote Learning 101. Self-paced module created by the NEA. 30-90 minutes to complete the training.

For details go to LaneOnline Training and Development Opportunities. Check back often! We are updating/adding new workshops and training opportunities throughout the year.


🔖  Can’t Locate Your Winter Course in Moodle? 

We do our best to keep Moodle synced with instructor course assignments in Banner but sometimes they match. If you don’t see your section listed, check the class schedule before sending an email to the ATC to ensure your department administrator has officially added you as an instructor of record.


☃  Academic Technology Center’s (ATC) Winter Break Hours

Most of the college will be completely closed over most of the winter break due to a combination of holidays and designated college closure days that were unable to be taken over the summer. The ATC has rearranged schedules in order to minimize the lapse in availability.

December 22nd - 29th: Closed for College Closure / Holidays
December 30th-31st: ATC open answering urgent emails + live virtual help 10a-2p
January 1st: Closed for Holidays
January 2nd-3rd: ATC open answering urgent emails + live virtual help 10a-2p

Resuming January 4th, winter term hours of operation will be:

  • Zoom: ATC Virtual Support (live virtual help) | M-F 10a-2p
  • E-mail: atc@lanecc.edu | M-F 8a-5p + limited weekend support
  • Our help articles are available to you 24/7.

The ATC is the spot to get answers regarding course delivery, software issues, or other technical questions that may arise about your course. 


📚 Tutoring Hours for Winter

Monday - Friday 9a - 5p with Evening Hours on Tuesday - Thursday 5p - 8p
*Expanded Hours* | October 17th - December 5th open 11a - 3p on Saturday’s 

The Lane Support Hub for students extends through the winter term.  All winter term students are enrolled in this free support space and can easily drop into our Zoom room, find links and handouts, and chat with and email tutors.

For more information, send an email to tutoring@lanecc.edu.


Why are you receiving these messages?
As part of Academic Technology’s mission to provide quality service and support to LaneCC instructors, you are subscribed to our Moodle news announcements forum where we post important information on system disruptions, maintenance, new features, tips and training opportunities.
If you are no longer teaching at LaneCC and wish to be removed, email a removal request to moodleadmin@lanecc.edu.