Moodle guide for new students - Edinburgh Napier University

MOODLE AND ONLINE LEARNING
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS
Edinburgh Napier University is committed to providing greater student choice and flexibility in
learning. Online access to tutors, materials and other educational resources can play a key role
in increasing the learning opportunities available to students who are based on or off campus.
To this end, the University is moving towards establishing a high quality online presence for all
programmes and modules.
The online support for a specific module will depend upon what is deemed appropriate by the
programme or module leaders. They will explain the approach being taken and what they
expect from you, in relation to the online element for their modules. It is very important that you
understand what this involves and if you feel any of the requirements are unclear then check
with the programme or module leader immediately.
What is
Moodle?
How do I
access
Moodle?
Moodle is the online environment we use at Edinburgh Napier University for
supporting learning, teaching and assessment. Moodle integrates a number of
features including access to electronic resources, communication, assessment
and collaborative tools.
Once you have matriculated you will automatically be registered in the Moodle
system and enrolled on to the modules and programmes that use Moodle.
Moodle can be accessed from any computer or mobile device with an internet
connection using a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Safari or
Mozilla Firefox.
To access Moodle:
What will I
find in
Moodle?
1. Go to the Student Portal homepage: https://studentportal.napier.ac.uk/
2. Click Moodle.
3. Log in using your matriculation number and Edinburgh Napier University
password.
4. Your Moodle homepage will open.
Your Moodle homepage provides access to your enrolled modules. Each
module is accessed by clicking on its linked title within Moodle. Each module will
typically provide links to various sections appropriate for supporting that module.
All modules have a Moodle presence, and queries relating to the module
content in Moodle are to be directed to the module leader.
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Where
can I find
help with
Moodle?
The Student Help pages within Moodle provide advice on how to get the most out of
Moodle including a section on how to get started and a comprehensive frequently
asked questions section. To access the Moodle Student Help pages:
1. From your Moodle homepage click on Student Help.
2. The Help pages will open and you can browse the list of topics and
frequently asked questions.
If you are unable to log in to Moodle contact the IT Support Desk:
Email: itsupport@napier.ac.uk
Telephone: ext. 3000 or (0131) 455 3000
Please note that for any email communication with the IT Support Desk you must use
your University email account.
If you are having problems viewing the correct modules in Moodle 48
hours after matriculation, check that your module enrolments are correct. To check
your module enrolments:
Effective
online
studying
1. Go to the Student Portal homepage: https://studentportal.napier.ac.uk/
2. From the Services menu click Your Student Record.
If the correct modules are not displayed then contact your School Office
If the correct modules are displayed then contact the IT Support Desk
Email: itsupport@napier.ac.uk
Telephone: ext. 3000 or (0131) 455 3000
Some of the advantages of Moodle to support your education at Edinburgh Napier
University include:
Increased access to important course and module information
Additional learning support where materials and tools are available
Undertake aspects of studying anytime, almost anyplace.
To make the most effective of use this system:
Ensure you know how Moodle is to be used within a specific module
Exploit the opportunities provided (follow links to readings, participate in
discussion, complete quizzes)
See Moodle as additional support, not a failsafe to missing classes
Don’t leave online work to last minute.
The follow web links provide further online study skill tips:
Tips for Learning Online, University of West Florida:
http://onlinecampus.uwf.edu/class/learning.cfm
The Successful Distance Learner, A short quiz with practical distance and online
learning tips from the University’s Distance Learning pages:
www.napier.ac.uk/distancelearning
If you would like a useful guide to studying online, from awareness of technical issues
to undertaking online group work, then you might try the following book:
Online student skills and strategies handbook (2005) by Loyd Ganey, Frank Christ
and Victor Hurt. Published by Longman. ISBN 0321316843.
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