Moodle
Moodle is a learning management system that can be used to create interactive online learning spaces. It is ideal for supporting classroom teaching as well as for asynchronous learning activities or completely self-paced courses. With its wide range of functions, Moodle is a flexible teaching tool that can be quickly adapted to the individual needs of teachers and learners.
The basis for working with Moodle is the creation of courses in which participants can collaborate in a protected space. Within this space, numerous activities can be used, offering the following functions, such as:
- Clear presentation of written and multimedia content as information or tasks for participants; providing individual materials or entire file folders (ideal for blended learning and flipped classroom concepts)
- Interaction between participants and between participants and teachers; discussions, feedback and peer review
- Collaboration in activities that participants can work on together in groups or across the entire course (as an opportunity for collaborative learning)
- Participants can contribute or submit work – in writing, as a file or in multimedia format
- Tracking of the learning process through progress indicators, learning paths, (self-)tests and badges for successful completion (as a basis for competence-oriented assessment)
- Gamification through interactive and playful elements
...and much more!
To make the best possible use of the learning space, teachers can...
- Control access individually
- Create and manage groups for participants
- Control access to individual parts of the course
- Switch roles to see the learners' perspective
You can log in to Moodle with your Leuphana account. Teachers can create courses in two ways: Moodle courses can be generated directly in the myStudy course via the interface to myStudy. To do this, use the corresponding button in the ‘Online Teaching’ tab. Alternatively, a course can be requested directly in Moodle via the ‘Support → course request’ tab. (Please make sure you select the correct semester!)
The introductory course ‘Supporting teaching and learning with Moodle’ (in German) explains how to design a Moodle course in a didactically effective way. In addition to a quick start guide for a compact overview, you will find tips and suggestions for various scenarios – for example, for providing materials, for collaboration in the course and for submissions. The course is freely accessible to all users of Leuphana Moodle – you can simply register yourself.
If you have any questions about registration, course creation or specific Moodle activities, we recommend our FAQ Digital Supported Teaching (in German) as your first point of contact. There we have collected the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Moodle. If the FAQ does not help, please contact us at lehrservice@leuphana.de.
The Teaching Service offers individual feedback and consultations to teachers who would like to receive feedback on their courses or have specific questions about Moodle. Together with you, we look at the structure and design of your course, give suggestions for technical implementation and share practical tips for use in everyday teaching. You can talk to us about specific scenarios that you would like to implement or simply receive feedback on the overall concept of the course. We are also happy to support you if you are creating a Moodle course for the first time and want to fill it. To arrange an appointment (usually we allow for 45-60 minutes), please contact us at lehrservice@leuphana.de.
You can find suggestions and explanations on how to use Moodle's many features in a didactically meaningful way in our introductory course ‘Supporting teaching and learning with Moodle’ (in German).
Podcast: Das Salz für die Lehre
We also recommend the episode ‘Lehre digital denken mit Moodle’ (Thinking digitally about teaching with Moodle) from our Teaching Service podcast ‘Das Salz für die Lehre’ (Salt for teaching). In it, we talk to Prof. Monika Schoop (musicology, esp. popular music studies), Prof. Torben Schmidt (English didactics) and Micha Edlich (Writing Center) about specific scenarios for using Moodle in higher education – from self-study courses to seminars that run throughout the semester. We discuss how Moodle promotes exchange as a central learning location, what added value and challenges its use offers, and for whom its use is particularly worthwhile. Practical, reflective and with lots of inspiration for your own teaching.
Leuphana Moodle Network
For ideas and suggestions, feel free to visit our Leuphana Moodle network. Here, teachers can ask questions, exchange ideas, present their own concepts and receive feedback. In the meetings, we discuss how Moodle can be used effectively, what design options it offers and much more. There is also regular input on old and new, familiar and innovative Moodle features, as well as news about the development of our own Moodle instance. All teachers are welcome, regardless of whether you already work with Moodle or not. If you are interested in the network, please feel free to visit our Moodle course.