Skip to main content Skip to navigation

News

Show all news items

Academic Technology Newsletter - November 2023

Academic TechnologyLink opens in a new window is part of Flexible & Online Learning Division (FOLD). We support and advise on a range of technology-enhanced learning tools.


Moodle

Moodle 4.1 upgrade report

Further updates to the Moodle theme were made on 24th October as part of the Moodle 4.1 upgrade. These were a variety of aesthetic, usability and functionality improvements including:

  • improved breadcrumb trail
  • dark mode persistence on page change
  • H5P embed problems rectified
  • better alignment of tabs and text
  • Standardised headings, labels and titles to sentence case (with some exceptions for proper nouns)
  • Ally accessibility tab (for editors)
  • addition of a ‘Recently accessed items’ block to user’s dashboard

Now that these fixes have been applied, we can turn our attention to further developments and improvements in functionality.

  • Coloured template box fault now resolved
    Some older template boxes (grey lifted paper, orange, blue, green, orange) stopped working on 24th October due to the unexpected removal of some CSS code. A fix was applied by the central team on 26th October which resolved the majority of these. Further work was required for the grey ("lifted_bot") box with the use of a new grey background and black border applied on 7th November.
  • MoodleX capabilities migrating
    MoodleX capabilities (STACK & CodeRunner) are being migrated to our primary Moodle provision. The old MoodleX service will become read-only from the start of 2024 and will be fully retired in July 2024. From 2024, all STACK and CodeRunner functionality will now be available via Warwick's primary Moodle provision. For support with migrating content across, please email IT Helpdesk (helpdesk@warwick.ac.uk) for the attention of Learning Systems team ASAP.

Training & Workshop Opportunities - Sign up and SHARE

Training & Support is available for help with Moodle, Vevox, H5P, Padlet and more. See our training pageLink opens in a new window for more info or to book an appointment.


Visit the Rapidmooc webpageLink opens in a new window for a quick overview of Warwick's new 'plug and play' recording studios with green screen and lighting.

For an induction on how to use Rapidmooc and the recording options available, please email rapidmooc@warwick.ac.uk


Vevox

PowerPoint add-in feature
The Office365 Vevox add-in is now available in PowerPoint. Take a look at our September Vevox webinarLink opens in a new window for a full overview.
Vevox are very receptive to feedback. Please email prs@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window if you have questions, comments or suggestions about the add-in.

New to Vevox? See this quick introduction and guide to Vevox at WarwickLink opens in a new window and the self-paced Introduction to VevoxLink opens in a new window course.


Mahara e-portfolio

Mahara upgrade update
The anticipated upgrade of Mahara for Warwick to version 23.04 is pending, awaiting further details from Learning Systems (IDG) and our host.

The portfolio continues to be a valuable teaching, learning and assessment tool. It has registered around 1100 unique users since 1st September 2023.


Check out Padlet's autumn 2023 features releaseLink opens in a new window
This video previews new Padlet features including templates, break-out rooms, and improved PDF export options.
See our Training & Workshop Opportunities section to sign up to our ‘Autumn 2023 features’ training session.

Reminder:

The Padlet summer release articleLink opens in a new window introduced a host of new features at the start of the academic year including polling, tagging and AI features.

Padlet GazetteLink opens in a new window - Find other news here on the official Padlet blog.

New to Padlet? Get started with our Introduction to PadletLink opens in a new window guide.


JISC

JISC Digital Experience Insights Survey

The Warwick JISC Digital Survey for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students launches on 27th November.

Find out about JISC Digital Experience InsightsLink opens in a new window, which ask students about their technology use, how they feel about the University’s digital environment and how it could be improved. Data collected will help us understand student digital experiences at Warwick and identify areas for future development. Students will be notified by email, newsletter and MyWarwick, with a prize draw incentive for participation.

A similar survey for academic and professional services staff is expected towards the end of term two.

JISC Discovery Tool

The JISC Digital Capabilities Discovery ToolLink opens in a new window is a 15-20 minute online activity for Warwick staff and students to produce a digital capabilities profile and to recommend areas for development. This tool enables personal reflection on confidence and skills across a range of digital capabilities. It is available at any time for staff and students. There are question sets for staff on Overall digital capabilities, Effective digital teaching, Accessibility and inclusion, Teaching in HE and Leading for Digital Change. Starting with the Overall digital capabilities survey is usually recommended.


Community Input

Feedback, questions, comments or tips are welcome. Please share them by contacting Jim Judges: j.judges@warwick.ac.uk

This newsletter can only provide a taste and snapshot of some of the active areas of interest. If you need help and guidance, please refer to the main online Academic Technology pages.Link opens in a new window If you have a technical query with Moodle or any of our supported tools, please contact academictech@warwick.ac.uk. For more general IT enquiries, or if you are unsure who to ask please contact the IT helpdesk.

All the best,

Nirmala Ale, Cameron Deans, Michelle Jackman, Jim Judges, Nadine Stewart, Paul Trimmer

Academic Technology | Flexible & Online Learning| Education Group | University of Warwick