Moodle Support for Faculty

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Introduction

Before teaching an online course, instructors should ask themselves the following questions:

• Am I comfortable using basic technology?
  • Programs like MS Word and PowerPoint
  • Navigating the Web, uploading/downloading files, using basic email functions
  • Basic troubleshooting
• Am I willing to check and answer my email every day?
• Will I be able to make online learning at least as rigorous, challenging, and engaging as face-to-face learning?

• Am I willing to think differently about how to make, distribute, collect, and grade assignments?

If you answered "yes" to all four questions, then you should consider enrolling in CSU's Online Certification Training (OCT) course. It is a 6-week course that helps instructors understand what online teaching is, how to prepare their course content for an online environment, and what the best practices are for online course development and teaching.  Contact the CTRE at 773-995-2960 or elearning @csu.edu to find out when the next enrollment window is.  NOTE: All faculty interested in teaching an online course must also receive approval from their department chair and college dean.

Training and Support

Faculty support for distance learning is provided by the CTRE, which provides faculty with a variety of training opportunities, such as:

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• Workshops - The CTRE hosts in-person and online training for basic Moodle skills.  Workshops are held regularly each semester.
• Drop-In Support - Faculty and students are able to drop in to receive support for Moodle during regular business hours in LIB318.
• CSU-INSTRUCTORS - This "course" within Moodle is actually a resource page filled with helpful guides and suggestions for teaching online.  It is open to all instructors, regardless of whether or not they currently teach online.

Check the Calendar of Events page to find out when the next Moodle workshop is scheduled to take place.

Getting Connected

Below are the minimum hardware requirements needed to teach online:

• Windows Me, 2000 or XP (Mac Os 9.2 or later)
  
• Pentium III processor minimum (Mac G3, G4, G5 processor minimum)
  
• 512 MB of RAM or more
  
• 56K Modem, broadband preferred (DSL, Cable etc.)
  
• Sound Card with speakers
  
• Adobe Acrobat Reader: to read certain online documents (Free Download)
  
• RealOne Player: to view audio/video clips (Free Download)
  
• Browser: Internet Explorer v6.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox (Free Downloads)
  
• An CSU e-mail account (For information, contact the I.T. Department at ext. 3963)
  
• An Internet Service Provider: e.g., Comcast, WOW!, AT&T, etc. (CSU faculty may use CSU server forfree)

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