What is Moodle?
Moodle is a website that is used by PEAC to host courses. It can be accessed 24/7.
Who is it for?
It is used for online PEAC courses which are designed for those students who cannot attend normal face-to-face classes at their PEAC centre. Moodle is also used in face-to-face courses as a way for students to see course content from home and view photos from each session.
How do I access Moodle?
You can use any device that is connected to the internet (eg. iPad, laptop, tablet, etc). There is no need to download anything.
If I’m doing an online course, when do I access Moodle?
Just like class-based courses, your PEAC teacher has an allocated day and time each week to manage the course and set new tasks. These tasks are set on this allocated day and usually due a week or two later (eg. your teacher may set tasks every Tuesday therefore those tasks are due the following Tuesday).
However, you are free to access the course and complete these tasks at any time during the week, whether that is at school or at home or both!
You don’t have to be on Moodle at a set time except for when your PEAC teacher sets an online video meeting, see below.
What are online video meetings?
For online courses, your PEAC teacher will schedule some online video meetings using Webex at various stages throughout the course, which are usually conducted during the allocated time set. You will be notified of these Webex sessions on the Moodle site by your PEAC teacher.
The main objective of using online video meetings is to catch up, promote communication and provide face-to-face contact with your teacher and class mates. It would be great if you can join in! However, it is understandable the time may not suit you and you cannot attend every time.
All you need to attend a Webex meeting is a device (eg. iPad, laptop, tablet, etc) with internet connection. It is recommended to use headphones with a microphone, but not essential depending on your device and environment. A webcam is also useful so we can see you but not essential.
How can I contact the PEAC teacher for help?
Within Moodle, you can communicate with your teacher using the ‘Messages’ system. Outside of Moodle, you can contact the teacher by their email.
GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR ONLINE COURSE
Step 1:
From the start date onwards, you can access your course. Your login details and course particulars will be sent to you by your PEAC teacher prior to the start date.
Step 2:
Once logged in to Moodle, click on the name of your course and it will open the course homepage. Once on the course homepage, follow the instructions to start the week’s tasks.
More FAQs
Do I have to be online at the same time my PEAC teacher has allocated time for the course?
No. Students don’t have to be online at that particular time. They have the flexibility to work through and complete tasks at any time during the week. At the teacher's allocated time, they will be releasing new tasks for the week and these are usually due the following week. Check out the course outline in Moodle which gives you an overview of the course tasks.
Some students prefer to do all their work in one session, others login multiple times throughout the week. Some prefer to work at home, others at school and some do both. PEAC is currently working with schools to negotiate ways in which students can collaborate to deliver this online opportunity. Every school is different and your child will access the program in a way that best suits your school’s context.
How much time is needed to complete weekly tasks?
We suggest between 1 to 2 hours a week. But every child is different in how they work through tasks.
When will the PEAC teacher be online?
Each teacher has a set time for each course. At this time, the teacher ensures new tasks have been set for the week and is their main period to provide feedback to student submissions in Moodle. However, they may also check in online throughout the week too when they can.
When do Webex sessions occur?
Teacher's will conduct a virtual online session at various times throughout the course using the Webex conferencing software. These will be notified in Moodle along with the link to enter Webex. Students can interact with their teacher and other students during these sessions. We understand it may not be possible for all students to access these optional virtual sessions. Students can complete all course requirements without attending Webex sessions. The main objective of using these online virtual lessons is to promote communication and build a sense of community for the group, which can assist with course engagement for some students.
What happens if my child does not complete the tasks for the week?
Students can keep their PEAC teacher informed by a quick message in Moodle that a bit more time is needed.
How can we contact the PEAC teacher or get help?
Students can seek assistance from their PEAC teacher via the messaging system in Moodle, which they will endeavour to answer as soon as they can. There is a Student Support section in Moodle which contains a link to Moodle training tutorials as well as discussion forums where students can seek assistance from other students. You can also email the teacher directly if it is deemed urgent. The PEAC teacher will also help students with any questions during the Webex sessions.
Can the student profile be changed within Moodle?
Yes. Students can change the associated email address, password, profile image and notification preferences by clicking on the student name (top right of Moodle screen).
I don’t want Moodle messages to go to my email address. How can I disable this?
Yes. Within Moodle, click on your profile picture (top right corner), select Preferences, select Message preferences (under User account), turn off/toggle Notification preferences for email.
Moodle Tips
Your Moodle Profile
In Moodle, you can edit your password and profile picture if you desire by clicking the dropdown link next to your name (top right of screen) then select ‘Profile’ then choose ‘Edit profile’. Keep your password safe!
Uploading an assessment
To upload an assignment to Moodle, locate the submission link in the subject’s Moodle site. The link will appear next to a hand symbol
. Click on the ‘Add submission’ button at the bottom of the page, and click on the ‘Add…’ button
. Follow the prompts to select and add your assessment.
Discussion Forums
A Moodle discussion forum is an online communication system the teacher can organise for the students in the subject to collaborate and engage in discussion regarding set topics. As a user, you are able to read and post messages that can be seen by the whole cohort of students enrolled in the subject. If the teacher has organised a discussion forum for the subject, the ‘dialogue’
symbol will appear under the subject name to inform you that there is a discussion forum for this subject to which you can contribute.
Forums are not simply to add your response and be done with it and move on, never to return. Nope. What we also look for at PEAC is the ability to respond to others... and not just any old response. A constructive response! Some tips:
- Don't be afraid to ask further questions on the topic to inspire deeper discussion.
- Actually say something. To get the most out of your online discussion board posts, you need to actually have a conversation. When you’re posting, think about what you’re saying: why do you think this way?
- Review and proofread your post. Before hitting “submit” or “create thread,” read over your post at least once. Make sure you’re not going off subject and look for any spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Don’t just agree or disagree: continue the conversation! This is called responding constructively - just like construction, you’re building upon a post.
Webex
When you click the Webex link in Moodle, you will be prompted to download Webex but you can also cancel this pop-up and select 'Join from your browser'. Enter your first name and last initial. You have to enter an email address but any made up email address will do. eg. test@test.com - it is not displayed in the meeting and no emails are sent to it from Webex.
What do I need?
Nothing really beyond a device with internet but it depends on your environment. Some suggestions:
- a quiet room
- a headset
- a web camera