Adding Content and Reading Lists

This section will cover how to find and display course material from content that you have created yourself to eBooks found in the library to a useful Youtube video that you can link out to as well as Copyright and IP considerations that you should take into account when setting up your materials.

 

Presenting content in Moodle

Rearranging/moving content in Moodle

There are a number of ways to move content between modules or within one module.

  1. Use the side block/course index to move content around your Moodle page.

  • Ensure the side block on the left is open (click the little green tab).
  • Make sure editing is switched on and then hover inside the margin of the item you wish to move, you should see the arrow icon appear.
  • You can then click and hold down to move the icon and drag it into the section you want to move it to in the side block.
  • Release the mouse button to let the item drop into it’s place in the side block and the content will show in it’s new location on the module page.
  • Alternatively, you can find the item you wish to move in the side block and move it to it’s new location within the side block

2. Use the Sharing Cart to move content from one module to another

The Sharing Cart is a block that provides an easy way to duplicate and move your module content from one module to another. Sharing Cart can only be visible when Edit Mode is on and isn’t visible to students. You have the capability to include user data for certain activities like Forums, Wikis, Glossaries and Databases. The items saved in the Sharing cart can stay indefinitely as a frequently used library. You can import individual activities and resources as well as whole sections.

Sharing Cart Guidance Page

3. Importing large amounts of content

You have the option to import larger amounts of content via the Course reuse. We recommend speaking to your eLearning Advisor about this option.

Applying groups and groupings to your resources

You can apply groups and/or groupings for all Moodle activities and resources in order to dictate how the content behaves, how a student can access or interact with that content. The guide below will explain why you might use groups and groupings for some resources and activities on your module.  It is important to be aware of the difference between user groups and using groupings as using them incorrectly can mean that students end up in multiple groups for an activity causing confusion and affecting the success of the activity.

Using Resources Lists

Resource Lists is the name of the university’s online reading list software. Adding Resource Lists provides a “single source” for module readings; to enhance student learning and experience; and to simplify communications between academic staff and the Library. Almost all taught modules should have a resource list containing all essential and further readings required for the module.

Alternatives to resources that are not digitally available
Not all essential items on resource lists are available digitally and we would therefore recommend providing alternative titles for your students, particularly if you are using resources during an online classroom setting where students will be accessing texts at the same time.

Copyright considerations

Copyright is a system of law designed to give creators of original works the right to control the ways in which their work is used. Protected works include written material, dramatic works, music, computer programs, websites, databases, sound recordings, films, broadcasts, translations and typographical layout. Works do not have to be published to be protected.

Copyright lasts for a fixed term period. This varies depending on the format of the work in question, but as a general rule copyright expires 70 years after the death of the creator. After this time works fall into the Public Domain.

At Roehampton we want to ensure that staff and students remain legally compliant when using resources created by others. If you use third-party copyright materials as a part of your teaching or research, you need to make sure that your usage is legal. ​The library has a section on it’s website dedicated to the subject of Copyright.

Finding copyright compliant media

Even though Moodle it not accessible to the public and is restricted to you and your students only you should ensure you do not infringe the copyright of content you are adding to your site. Simply placing copyrighted materials within a password-protected environment does not make it legal. You must therefore only upload your own content that you have created yourself or material that has been made available under licence.

Images will bring the written content to life. However, if you are posting images that aren’t created by you or the class, be careful about copyright. Post images where you have specific permission, for example, if they are released under a Creative Commons licence. Click on the Search for CC images at the top of the page. A good source of images with this licence is Wikipedia.

It is very tempting to download images from Google, but not all the images on Google are licensed to be reused. Below are some tips to help you search for images that you can use in Moodle.

Downloading images from Google with permission to reuse them

When you do a ‘Google Search’, you can filter your results to find images, videos, or text. However, Google would show you all the results with all licence types. When you search for an image click on the Images tab then click on  ‘Tools’ and then under ‘usage rights’ you can select how you intend to use content (see screenshot below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Royalty-free and what does it mean for you

You have probably seen the term “Royalty-free” before — perhaps on stock photos, background music or other types of intellectual property. But what exactly does it mean?

Normally, copyrighted material is protected and cannot be used without permission or payment. Royalty-free is a term that is used to describe certain types of intellectual property that you are allowed to use without having to pay royalties or take permission. The intellectual property owner must specifically put this label on their content in order for anyone to use it in this way.

Examples of Royalty-free websites:

Embedding links to Library Subject Guides in your module

Add weekly readings from your library resource/reading list into Moodle

Online Resources and Copyright 

Uploading PDFs, e.g. e-journals, self-scanned materials, is discouraged because it is not usually permitted under the University’s HE copyright licence, unless it has been made available by the publisher under Open Access. It is best practice to use digital Resource Lists to link to such material. More information around copyright and Moodle can be found on the Library staff portal pages.

The Digital Resources List and Moodle

The Talis Aspire digital Resource List software is the ‘single source’ for all module readings. The software provides links to resources such as books and ebooks, online journal articles, copyrighted digitisations (provided by the Digitisation service), webpages etc. The digital Resources List is made available via Moodle as well as from the Library pages.

Setting up/Updating a Digital Resources List

The lists are managed by the library, so please contact your subject librarian to have a list created or updated for your module. They can also advise on digitisation for articles that are only available in hard copy. There are Resource List video tutorials and guidance available on the Library staff portal pages. Resource List training sessions on how to use and maintain reading lists are run by the by Library Academic Engagement Team. You will also find further information about the Digital Resource lists in general.

Further support - Academic Achievement Team | Studiosity

Academic Achievement Team

The Academic Achievement Team​ provide academic and information skills workshops, drop-ins, and other support to help students become independent learners.

On the Learnin​g Skills Hub​ in Moodle, students can book workshops, find drop-in times and access a wide range of online resources, including interactive tutorials and recordings​ of workshops.

Studiosity

Studiosity, the new 24/7 service for our students, is here. This is a free online service providing on-demand study skills help to students any time anywhere, on or off-campus. The service extends our support by being available when other help is not eg during the evenings, at weekends, holiday periods.  Students can interact with the Studiosity up to ten times in each academic year.