Training & Workshop Opportunities

• Moodle-Admin
  We held a Moodle-Admin demo session on 8th December covering a range of features, including creating ad hoc Moodle spaces, adding enrolment rules, and created Moodle-synced Teams spaces. A recording of the Moodle-Admin demo is available on Microsoft Stream.
• Blackboard Ally
  We will hold a Blackboard Ally course accessibility report overview and discussion session on Thursday 5th January. This will enable users to improve content accessibility and understand how inaccessible content affects our student community. *Registration link hereLink opens in a new window*
• One-to-One Support
  If you need help or advice on using Moodle, Vevox, H5P, Padlet or other academic technologies you can book a 1:1 training, support and consultation slot, see the training page and link to book an appointment hereLink opens in a new window

• Analytics for Echo360
  We recently released an 'Analytics for Echo360' plugin to Moodle which can be found in the activity chooser. The plugin will provide viewing data for all of the media currently associated with the Moodle space where the link is accessed from. Read more about the Analytics for Echo360 toolLink opens in a new window.
• Activity completion features
  Top tip: To make use of activity completion features in MoodleLink opens in a new window remember to turn this option on in course settings. If you are the administrator of lots of Moodle courses and want tutors to find this option by default then you might consider turning this on in all module spaces that you manage.
• Forum messages problem
  We experienced problems with forum messages not being sent by email around the 4th-6th December. This was due to technical issues with the automatic "cron" that runs repetitive tasks at regular intervals; every minute in the case of forum messages. This matter was resolved by the evening of 6th December. The Learning Systems team are working with our hosts to ensure better monitoring and swifter resolution of similar problems in the future.
• Did you know? Sending Messages to Course Participants in Moodle
  In addition to using the Forum to send email messages you can use the messaging feature in the participant section of your course too. Go to Participants > Select All participants (bottom of screen), or just those you wish to contact > then "With selected users" > choose "Send a message". The message should be sent within a minute or two. Please note the originator of the message does not get an email.
• More Accessible Moodle Content
  According to Moodle Ally report data, overall our 77.3% accessibility score, based on the measured accessibility of resources across Moodle, is 6% higher than 21/22. With further use of Ally reports and feedback, tackling the easier to fix items first before moving on to some of the bigger fixes, we hope we can work together with all Moodle editors to improve this score next year. To find out more about Ally, please consider joining us in the session on Thursday 5th Jan (see details in the Training & Workshop section above). Higher scores and better accessibility means a better experience for students using Moodle.
  
  Moodle Advent Calendar
  Thanks to Richard Clay, Senior Academic Technologist (WMS), for sharing this Moodle-themed Advent CalendarLink opens in a new window, built in H5P - enjoy!

Lecture Capture Scheduling

• 2023 Scheduling
  Please send your requests for 2023 Term 1 scheduling as soon as possible so this can be set up prior to the Christmas shutdown where possible.
• 360˚ Video (beta)
  Echo360 have added a function to allow users to upload, play and interact with videos captured with a 360° camera. This is in beta testing, so we would like to hear from departments that are interested in this feature to help determine if this is something we could support. Please contact Paul Trimmer to register your interest or for more information.
• Amend a schedule form
  There is a new online form for requesting amendments to scheduled (future) recordings so these requests can be resolved more efficiently. Please use the Amend Scheduled Lecture Capture Booking(s) form.
• Delete a lecture capture recording
  There is also a new online form for requesting deletion of completed recordings. Please use the Delete Lecture Capture Recording(s) form.
  NB. An option to advise of a GDPR breach has been included so we can liaise with the Infosecurity team directly.

For lecture capture request guidance, please see our guide. If our guides don’t answer your questions, please get in touch via lecturecapture@warwick.ac.uk

• New Vevox account approval process
  We recently changed the way new users create Vevox accounts. The single sign-on process now automatically approves staff and PGR student accounts and denies UG and PGT student accounts. The new process provides instant access to eligible users. The login process remains unchanged for existing users.
• Coming: Import Vevox sessions to PowerPoint
  An improved PowerPoint add-in is under development. The add-in will enable users to import existing Vevox sessions created using the browser version, and will also be available to Mac users. We make further updates in due course.
  

• Visual improvements
  New backgrounds have been released, including solid colours, gradients, and pictures. Please consider accessibility with backgrounds and ensure your Padlet has suitable contrast. WebAIM has a good summary of WCAG guidelines on contrastLink opens in a new window. Also, profile pictures are now centred on users' profile pages.
• Expanded view available on mobile app
  This will improve how users can view attachments.

See our Introduction to Padlet at WarwickLink opens in a new window guide for anyone new to this tool.

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. 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.