Set Up your Computer to work well with the Moodle Program
Recommended Browsers
For Moodle courses, the recommended Internet browser is Mozilla Firefox Version 3.
Recommended Email Client
Thunderbird (the companion to Firefox browser) is a superior EMAIL client - "Reclaim your inbox" and will cause less problems than Microsoft Outlook - look at its features - Thunderbird 2 features many new enhancements to help you better manage your unruly inbox, and stay informed. Thunderbird 2 scales to the most sophisticated organizational needs while making it easy to find what you need. Click here to download Thunderbird. You won't be disappointed (I promise).
Using AOL:
- Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher
- Open a private chat within AOL (this allows the AOL client to remain open, without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized)
- Minimize AOL - you will not use the AOL browser
- Launch a recommended browser (ie Firefox)
Recommended Hardware
- Windows: Windows 98, ME, NT, 4.0, 2000, or XP and a 56k V.90 modem or better Internet connection.
- Macintosh: Mac OS X and a 56k V.90 modem or better Internet connection.
- Depending on the use of streaming media, interactive multimedia, or other content in the individual courses, you might need additional hardware/software or browser plug-ins.
Pop-up configuration
Some of the Moodle courses use pop-up windows, therefore you will need to disable pop-up blockers in your browser. Some blockers may be turned off on Windows by right clicking an icon on the system tray, next to where the clock resides.
Firefox
- Go to Tools > Options.
- Click Content tab.
- If Block pop-up windows is checked, then click Exceptions button near it.
- Type moodle.umn.edu.
- Click Allow, click Close, click OK.
Internet Explorer’s Built-In Popup Blocker
- Go to Tools: Popup Blocker. At this point you can either just turn the pop-up blocker off, or continue with the settings below.
- Select Popup Blocker Settings.
- For Address of Web site to allow, type "https://*.umn.edu."
- Click the Add button.
- Click the Close button.
- Close and restart Internet Explorer.
Cookies
Cookies are files often set by websites in your browser to record certain information about your visit to a website. For example, cookies can be used on to remember your username the next time you visit, or to keep track of if you are logged in or not.
Cookies need to be enabled in your browser to use Blackboard and Moodle.
How to enable cookies in your browser:
Internet Explorer:
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click on the 'Tools' menu.
3. Select 'Internet options'.
4. Select the 'Privacy' tab.
5. Move the slider to Medium.
6. Click 'OK'.
7. Close Internet Explorer to save changes.
Firefox:
1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.
2. Select 'Options'.
3. Click on 'Privacy'.
4. Click on 'Cookies'.
5. Make sure the box marked 'Allow sites to set Cookies' is checked.
6. Click 'OK' to save changes.
Browser Cache
Browser caching is when your internet browser saves copies of web pages you visit onto your computer. Caching occurs in order to help you access regularly visited web pages more quickly as your computer 'remembers' that you have been to that web page already.
Browser caching can cause problems in Blackboard or Moodle as the browser will display older versions of the pages you access. Some students have been able to resolve login and other issues by clearing their browser cache.
How to clear your browser cache
Internet Explorer:
1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.
2. Select 'Internet options'.
3. Click on 'Delete Files' under 'Temporary Internet Files'.
4. Click on 'Clear History' under 'History'.
5. Click 'OK'.
6. Close down Internet Explorer to save changes.
Firefox:
1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.
2. Select 'Options'.
3. Click on 'Privacy'.
4. Click on 'Cache'.
5. Click on 'Clear Cache Now'.
6. Click 'OK'
JavaScript
JavaScript must be enabled in order to use Moodle.
How to enable JavaScript
Internet Explorer
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click 'Tools'.
3. Select 'Internet options'.
4. Select the 'Security' tab.
5. Click the 'Custom level' button.
6. Scroll down and enable all 3 Scripting options.
7. Click 'OK'.
8. Close down Internet Explorer to save changes.
Firefox:
1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.
2. Select 'Options'.
3. Click on 'Content'.
4. Make sure the box marked 'Enable JavaScript' is checked.
5. Click 'OK' to save changes.
Free downloads
| |
Win |
Mac |
| Firefox |
win |
mac |
| Internet Explorer 7 |
win |
|
| Netscape |
win |
mac |
| Opera |
win |
mac |
| Adobe Reader |
win |
mac |
| Flash Player |
win |
mac |
| Shockwave Player |
win |
mac |
| Windows Media |
win |
mac |
| RealPlayer 10 |
win |
mac |
| QuickTime Player |
win |
mac |
| PowerPoint Viewer |
win |
mac |
| Excel Viewer |
win |
|
|
Word Viewer
|
win |
|
|
Visio Viewer
|
win |
|
| Works 6.0 Converter for Works and Word Users |
win |
|
| PowerPoint 98 Viewer for Macintosh |
|
mac |
| Microsoft Word 97, 98, and 2000 Converter for the Macintosh |
|
mac |
Adobe Reader is a free software you can download and install on your computer so you can read files which might be in your online class in the PDF format.
Microsoft PowerPoint Reader is Free and allows you to read any PowerPoint files your instructor might provide for you to download. You do not need to purchase PowerPoint to read files, only to create or make changes to them. Another PowerPoint Reader for both Mac and PC is available from TonicPoint.
Microsoft Word Reader is free and allows you to read any MS Word documents your instructor places in your virtual classroom for downloading. You do not need to purchase MS Word to read the documents, only to make changes or to original new documents. If you are using Mac OS you can search the Microsoft site for a reader for your computer. Another Microsoft Word Reader for Mac, PC and other platforms is available from Antiword.
Improve your computer's performance
1. Browser - pick Firefox 3 - the best browser on the internet (much better than Internet Explorer) - see http://mozilla.com to download it.
2. Clean up your files on your computer - with Tune up Utilities 2009 - free - download it at http://www.tune-up.com/download/tu2009/ - once downloaded then run the clean up on "start up manager" and make sure you have a minimum of programs open and running when you start up the computer. This will speed up your computer a lot.
3. Spyware - if you get any email you probably have ads running on your computer. download the free program "ad-aware" - download it at http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
4. Download and install - free anti-virus - http://free.avg.com/
5. More Memory for your Computer - If you computer is still slow after you have done the above, you may want to get more memory for your computer. Contact the local PC Club - at http://pcclub.com and take your computer in for an memory upgrade, or for them to check out your computer and why it is so slow. Hope the above helps. Also make sure the settings on you computer are correct, see below information and instructions.
6. Get Open Office (if you do not have MS Office Program) - If you do not have MS Word, etc. you can still download a free easy to use and full-featured office suite that supports all kinds of documents, including Microsoft Office, Acrobat PDF and Open Document Format. - see http://openoffice.org
Problems Logging into your online class?
If you are having problems logging in, here are two possibilities
1. the class has not opened. Most online classes do not open until the first day of the semester or session.
2. Contact your online instructor - http://missiononline.pbwiki.com/faculty
3. Make sure you have selected the correct course management system for your online class. Our classes use etudes ng, or coursecompass, or moodle, or nicenet (Philosophy) - see http://missiononline.pbwiki.com/login
The following rules apply to all classes: (special thanks to L.D from LATTC for the below)
· Last day to add (20% of course length).
· Last date to drop without class appearing on the student’s record (30% of course length)
· Last date to drop classes without being graded. “W” will be recorded on student’s records (75% of course length)
Your login id/password will not work until the first day of class.
About Moodle: When using Moodle, you can edit each forum to avoid receiving every message via email that is posted by students in your class(es). You can also edit your general profile to not receive any emails from Moodle. We recommend that you ONLY limit the class discussion forums but allow for your teacher’s news forum postings and his/her assignment feedback messages to reach you. Do NOT complain to your ISP if you are getting the class postings and do not want them. Contact your instructor if you don’t know how to stop the postings. The email messages are NOT spam. They are the result of being in the online class. You can control how many you get, but do not report them as spam to your service provider.
Registering For Online Classes
Step 1: Be sure you are a currently enrolled student at Mission. If not, submit an online application. If you are a new student to the district who has applied using CCC Apply, one application should serve the purpose of getting into any of the colleges in the district. However, if you have not enrolled through CCC Apply, complete the online application. If you were a student at Mission who has not completed a course within the past two semesters, you might need to submit a new application. (http://cccapply.org)
Step 2: Register for the class you want to take. Returning students can do this through the Student Information System (SIS) online - http://www.laccd.edu/student_information/sis_logon.asp or through the STEP (telephone registration system) or in person. New students will need to secure a registration appointment. Once you have enrolled through CCC Apply, you should receive via email information on your registration appointment. The email will be sent to the email address you use for CCC Apply. If you do not receive that email, log into the Student Information System to get it. You can register for classes on or after that registration date.
Step 3: Purchase your textbook - see our bookstore link at - http://www.lamissionbookstore.com/ - Support our Mission College Bookstore
Technical Skills and Knowledge
(Help with these skills at: http://www.lattc.edu/lattc/on_line/techhelp.htm)
1. Email and related skills: You need to know how to use a personal computer to send, receive, and reply to email. You need to have your own personal email account. You cannot use the account belonging to another person.
2. Internet access and skill: Online students need to have access to the Internet and they need to know how to use a web browser to navigate the World Wide Web. You can use a web browser of your choice but the most common ones are Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Netscape. You will be expected to know how to upload a file to the course management software. Be sure you do not have a space in the filename when you attempt to upload it.
3. Word Processing skills: You will be expected to type some of your papers using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Word Perfect or Claris Works or Open Office. You should be able to save these files in a common .doc or .rtf format. If you do not have Microsoft Word, then you can download a free Word Reader. You will need to upload files as either MS Word docs, RTF (Rich Text File format) or a Txt (text format).
4. Cookies: You need to know how to set your cookies on the computer you use. Cookies are important so the course management software can keep track of where you have been in the system and what work belongs to you.
5. Javascript: Some course management software used in this program requires you to have Javascript installed and enabled. Most computers have this working without the user even knowing it. This is true for the new computers but people with older computers can install it.
6. Pop-ups and Pop-up Blockers: You need to allow Pop-ups when working with the course management software. If you have turned ON your pop-up blocker software, you need to know how to turn it off when working on the class.
7. Do not block messages: If you are a student in a Moodle class, do not set your profile to block messages. This prevents the instructor from contacting you.
8. Moodle Tutorials: There are a few tutorials available to help students learn the course management software if they miss the orientations. Login as a "guest" at http://moodle.lamission.edu/course/view.php?id=56
Reasonable Expectations for Online Classes
1. The virtual classroom will open on the day the class begins and close on the last day of the term. You will be able to log into your classroom the first week of the semester. You should not expect to log in the day you register for a class.
2. You are expected to read everything on the class home page and follow the links and directions on it.
3. You are expected to drop any online class you do not want to complete. Do not rely upon the instructor dropping you for lack of participation or attendance.
4. Each unit of lecture is equal to 18 hours of “seat time” in a normal classroom. Each unit of lecture should be accompanied by an additional 2 hours of study time. If a 3 unit lecture class is taught in 18 weeks, it would require 3 hours per week of “seat time.” If that same class were taken during a 5-week summer or winter term, it would require 10.4 hours per week plus the additional 21 hours of study time. These are good rules for scheduling yourself to work on classes you take online.
5. You are expected to log into the virtual classroom each week as needed to read new announcements from the instructor, read assignments, and submit work on time. In classes that are short-term, you should log in daily. In the event you have technical problems, you are expected to locate another computer to continue logging into the virtual classroom. If work is lost on a home computer, you need to contact the instructor to discuss the issue. Thus, a printed copy of the course syllabus and other pertinent information should be kept for emergency situations when technical difficulties develop.
6. If you are taking a class that uses Moodle, you should create your account and log into your class(es) during the first week. In most instances, the class will not require an enrollment key during the first week. After that you will need to contact your instructor and request the enrollment key if it is not indicated on the instructor web site or the class home page.
Internet Safety
Student safety is highest priority and there are safety rules for using the Internet. The campus takes all steps necessary to provide a safe environment and in order to be sure all students are well-informed, the following information is stressed:
· Do not give out any personal information to people you do not know. This includes home address, phone number and photos.
· Do not meet anyone you do not know well at your home to do studying. Meet them at a public place and take a friend if possible.
· If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, just log off. If you are sexually solicited, report the details to your Internet Service Provider and to the police.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.