Guides
Working with Blocks
About Blocks
The right and left columns of your subject page will have what Moodle calls blocks. Blocks display additional activities and functionality for your subject. When you begin working with your LMS (Moodle) subject shell, you will see that your My LMS page already has some blocks in the right and left columns, such as the Navigation block, Settings block, Calendar block, etc.
The Dock
The Dock (a special bar that is displayed in a constant position on the left hand side of the page by default) is where blocks are docked. Any type of block (sticky or floating) can be docked here to free up screen real estate. When a Block is docked there is only one block toggle, which undocks the block and returns it to its location prior to docking. When multiple Blocks are docked there is an option to Undock All.
Common Blocks
Block: Calendar
Explanantion: This tool allows you to view and create dated reminders about
events. Staff and students can create subject-related entries
that are viewable to all staff and students. NOTE: The ability to
do this is determined by the subject designer or lecturer.
All users can create personal entries that are not related to any subject but are for personal reminders. These types of entries are private.
Calendar ‐ The Calendar displays the following events:
- Global (event viewable in all subjects ‐ created by administrative users). This can be used for key events such as public or University holidays, exam periods etc.
- Subject (event viewable only to subject members ‐ created by lecturers). This can be used for subject specific dates such as assignment due dates.
- Groups (event viewable only by members of a group ‐ created by lecturers).
- User (personal event a student user can create ‐ viewable only by the user).
Adding closing dates to subject activities — assignments, quizzes etc. will cause them to show up in the calendar.
Block: Recent Activity
Explanation:
- Lists all of the student and lecturer activity since the user’s last login.
- Links to a Full report of recent activity page where you can run reports on subject activity.
Block: Upcoming Events
Explanation:
- An extension of the Calendar block that draws event information from the Calendar.
- Can be useful to remind students on upcoming assignments, due dates and events.
Block: Moodle Help
Explanation:
- Student Guides & Videos – links to the LMS Student Information webpages at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/studentlmsinfo/ where Quick Guides, How to videos and Frequently Asked Questions will be available to assist students.
- Staff Guides & Videos – links to the LMS Staff Help pages at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/lms/ where User Guides, Quick Guides, How to videos and Frequently Asked Questions will be available to assist staff.
- Staff Support in LMS - This link will point to a new LMS subject (in the LMS/Moodle).
Block: Messages
Explanation:
- Allows users to send messages to each other regardless of whether they are enrolled on the same subject. Note: LMS users have the ability to prevent non-contacts from messaging them.
- Displays a list of new messages you have received, with a link to your Messages window.
Block: People
Explanation:
- Some subjects will show a block that lists all the students in the subject and may show the lecturer(s).
- Participants’ profiles are available by clicking on their name or picture.
- To send a message to a participant, click on the select box next to the individual(s) or choose Select all and then from With selected users… dropdown select Send a message.
Block: My LMS Library
Explanation:
- Library home page – links to the La Trobe University Library website homepage
- Ask a Librarian - links to the Ask a Librarian page on the Library website. This pages contains both answers to commonly asked questions and the ability to submit a question and have this answered by a Librarian via email.
- LibSkills – link to the Library LibSkills – teach yourself research skills page. This contains useful information on how to search for information using the Catalogue, websites, finding journal articles, items on a reading list, ethical use of information & referencing etc.
- My Library – links to My Library - View / Renew my loans.
Block: Latest News
Explanation:
- Block is linked to the News Forum and displays the latest updates to that forum.
- The News forum is a special forum for general announcements (students can’t post to this forum.)
Block: Search Forums
Explanation:
- A search function for forums only – does not search other activities or resources.
- When added to a subject page, searches only forums in that subject.
Block: Blog
Explanation:
- If your subject has a Blog Block (or Menu), you can use the menu to view all entries for the subject, view just your own entries about the subject, add an entry about this subject and navigate outside the subject to view all of your blog entries, regardless of the subject.