M01c - Resource

What is it?

A resource is a non-interactive content item that supports learning, such as a file or link. See M01c1 - Moodle Resource list for information on what resources can be added to a Moodle course.

Why use it?

To deliver information to students that explains concepts they need to understand.

Who can use it?

Tutors and course administrators can add resources.

Students and anyone that has access to the course can view them.

Before I start...

Decide the most appropriate type of resource for the content you would like to deliver (See M01C1 - Moodle Resource list). You might like to experiment in a test course, so your students won't see this. If you need a test course for this purpose, please request one from Digital Education.

Meeting the Baseline

The  UCL Connected Learning Baseline  suggests the following for  Resources :

• 5.1 Use descriptive titles for all items and consider displaying the item's description on the course main page, as this helps students understand the purpose of the activity or resource.
• 5.2 Provide learning resources - Provide presentation slides, notes or handouts. See which file format to use and when. UCL policy is to provide lecture materials 48 hours in advance. 
• 5.3 Provide reading list(s) - Provide a list of course readings, preferably using the UCL online reading list service, outlining which are compulsory and which are optional.
• 5.4 Check resources - Regularly fix or remove broken hyperlinks (URLs) and check that all resources are up-to-date before releasing these to students.

How do I set one up?

1. Navigate to your Moodle course and turn edit mode on by clicking the button in the top right of the page.
   
2. Hover your mouse over the area of that page that you would like to insert the resource, and click the '+' Plus symbol (or move to the bottom of the section and click the Add an activity or resource link.
3. Choose the type of resource you would like to add and click 'Add'.
4. You will then be taken to the settings area for that resource.
5. Once you have selected the appropriate settings, click the 'Save and display' button and you will be able to view the resource. For some resources (such as books where you need to add pages of content) you will have further configuration options to configure.
6. Once you have finished reviewing and/or editing the resource you can return to the Moodle course main page using the breadcrumbs below the banner, this is located at the top of the page. Just click on the name of the course (usually the module code) to navigate to the course page.
7. You may wish to drag and drop the resource to a different position on the page, by clicking and holding the cross hair icon to the left of the resource name. Release the icon when the resource is in the correct location or alternatively click on the cross hair icon and select the list option where you like to place the resource. 

8. If you have a number of related resources and/or activities, you might like to add a Text and Media Area resource (formerly a Label) containing a heading, see below the correct heading structure to use on the page. 

   Text Editor	Use heading option
   Atto Editor	Large heading
   TinyMCE editor	Heading 3

   *To check or change your Editor, go to the top-right corner and  hover over your profile name, click on  Preferences  and click on  Editor Preferences .

9. You can return to the resource's configuration settings by clicking the Settings menu at the top of the resource.  (Make sure course edit mode is turned on).

10. Other Edit options include:
    

    Options	Description
    Move right	Move right indents the item one place to the right. Once you move right, you will see an option to move left , so you can un-indent it.
    Make available	Show or Hide the resource from student view.
    Duplicate	Duplicate  resources might save you some editing time for similar resources. This is ideal if you have configured the resource and would like to copy the settings to the duplicate resource. Make sure to apply unique changes for example, the title, file, links etc.
    Assign Roles	Promote a student to act as a tutor  on a particular resource by assigning them to the tutor role with the  Assign roles option. This means they would have edit rights just for that resource and nothing else on the page.
    Delete	Delete  will prompt you if you really want to delete the resource. Click  Yes to delete it.

Caution

- None at this time.

Examples and case studies

- None at this time.

Questions & Answers

Q. How do I hide a resource until it is ready for students to see?

A. Once you have added a resource you can choose to hide or show it by clicking the ellipses next to the resource and selecting Hide/Show. (Edit Mode must be turned on).

Alternatively click the 'Settings' menu, then go to  'Common Module Settings' and select 'Hide on Course Page' or 'Show on Course Page'. 

Further information

See M01c1 - Moodle Resource list for information on what resources can be added to a Moodle course.

Keywords: read, observe, navigate, consume, one way communication, didactic, instruct, educational, educate, inform, information, teach, learning material, content, delivery