M01a - Moodle course formats

Keywords: course format, structure, topics, tabs, tabbed, collapsible, collapse, drop-down sections, accordion, grid, one, single, chunk content.

What is it?

The course format changes the layout of the main content area of a Moodle course. The blocks then appear alongside. You can choose from the following formats:

• Custom sections - the default option (formerly Topics format). The course is divided into customisable sections.
• Onetopic format - course sections are displayed separately in tabs.
• Grid format - the course is divided into sections selectable via a grid.
• Weekly sections - the course is divided into sections corresponding to each week, beginning from the course start date.

Why use it?

Depending on your mode of delivery and the structural approach employed, the use of alternative course formats can create more logical or engaging layouts. Courses with a large amount of content and learning activities may benefit from the Onetopic (tabs) format, reducing the amount of material that is visible on the page at any one time.

Who can use it?

• Tutors
• Course Administrators

Before I start...

Check with your department whether there is a standard departmental Moodle template that you should use, which will determine the course format as well as common section headings. If a departmental template DOES exist, it is a good idea to use the course format defined in this template, since it provides students with consistency across their Moodle courses. This helps both students and staff to find information for each module, as they are familiar with the sections used in other modules. For example, a Moodle template will help students understand where to submit assessments and where to ask for help. If you would like a Moodle template developed your department, please contact Digital Education.

Meeting the baseline

The  UCL Connected Learning Baseline  suggests the following for  Structure : 

• 1.4 Use a Faculty or Departmental template to provide a consistent layout and experience for students and staff. These provide a starting point to help staff meet this baseline but may be modified to suit the course being delivered. 
  See Before I start for further information.
  

How do I set one up?

Change course format quick guide

• Go to the Moodle course, select the Settings menu 
• Expand Course format and choose your preferred format (each option has a description)
• Select your Formatting options :
  • Show all sections on one page: all topics are displayed on the page, one after another.
  • Show one section per page: one topic is displayed per page, with topic headings visible and acting as a link to each preceding and subsequent topic.

• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save and display. 

Caution

- None at this time. 

Examples and case studies

- None at this time. 

Questions & Answers

- None at this time. 

Further information

- None at this time.