Blocks Available to the Instructor (non-editing) Role

Blocks can add significant value to a language training course. There are many types of blocks available in Moodle. Only blocks available to the Instructor (non-editing) role are provided in this article. However, note that all Moodle blocks are available for instructors with course editing permissions. (Course editing is available to instructors in LearnIT2teach Stage 2.)

Choose the blocks that best meet the learners' and course's needs.

The Calendar block helps instructors stay organized and assists learners in managing their time. It displays the following events:

• Site events: created by admin users; viewable in all courses.
  
  

• Course events: created by instructors; viewable only by course members.
  
  

• Group events: created by instructors; viewable only by members of a group.
  
  

• User events: personal events created by a user; viewable only by that user.

Note: Adding closing dates to assignments, forums, quizzes etc., will cause them to display in the Calendar block.

1. On the calendar block, click on the Course calendar link.

The Calendar editing page appears. 

2. Click on the New Event button.

The New Event editing page appears.

3. Type an event title in the Event title box, and select the date and time.

4. Keep the default type of event set to Course so that learners can see it.

5. Click on the Show more... link.

6. Type a description in the Description text box.

7. If needed, set a Duration or an end time.

8. If the event will repeat weekly, select the Repeat this event checkbox and enter the number of occurrences.

9. Click on the Save button.

10. The new calendar event appears in the course calendar. 

11. Hovering over the day on the calendar reveals the event title. 

The Comments block allows users to post a comment for all to see. This enables easier access and quicker communication.

1. In the Comments block, click in the Add a comment text box  and type your comment.

2. Click on the Save comment option to finish.

Learners and instructors can delete their comments from the course Comments block. Instructors can also delete learners' comments.

In the Comments block, a garbage bin icon will appear next to comments you can delete.

Click on the Delete icon to remove the comment(s).

The comments are then removed.

The Latest announcements block lists recent announcement posts. It also contains a link to older announcements. By default, the Latest announcements block displays 5 announcement items.

Instructors must add announcements to the Announcements Forum, which then links those announcements to the Latest Announcements block. (See the Announcements article for instructions on adding an announcement to your course.)

The Online users block shows users currently logged into the course. This is a useful way to contact learners while they are online, and it lets learners contact you or other learners as well.

Click the Eye icon to hide your online status from other users. When hidden, your name will disappear from other users' Online users block.

Click the Message icon to send a direct message to a user.