Our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Services Review project includes moving Moodle to the cloud but has wider aims to improve the experience of students of staff.
Work towards that aim includes a new Moodle Blueprint Designer tool developed by CADI staff, which is a sector-leading initiative to enhance the learner journey.
The Moodle Blueprint Designer will replace the existing module template. The Blueprint Designer will allow module coordinators to create bespoke Blueprints or choose from a series of pre-configured standard Blueprints similar to our existing templates.
A custom Blueprint provides a framework for teaching and learning resources in your module. The Blueprint will be relevant to your students and your discipline because it can be designed by you. Creating a custom Blueprint will allow you to:
- Present your module in a clear and easy to navigate structure that constructively aligns to your discipline and the needs of your students;
- Review analytics including the time spent teaching, the number of asynchronous or synchronous activities and the learning types your activities match best with.
Alternatively Standard Blueprints act in a similar way to the existing module template in Moodle; offering a quick way to set up a weekly, session or thematic structure for your module.
CADI regularly offers opportunities for academic colleagues to consult on the work we are doing. We are looking for volunteers to use the Module Blueprint Designer as part of a pilot. If you would like to take part in the pilot, please register your interest by completing this expression of interest form. The pilot will begin on 6 May 2025.
After our pilot we will action feedback and offer the Moodle Blueprint Designer tool as an option on all modules in line with moving Moodle to the cloud. Learning Designers and Digital Learning Developers in CADI will be on hand to support staff with the new approach to module and course design within Moodle which the tool helps facilitate.
The CADI team will be conducting select focus groups with staff, students and Post Grads to further support Moodle enhancements as we move to the cloud. We are very interested to hear wider feedback from staff across the University. If you are interested in feeding back about your experiences of Moodle, please complete our Moodle feedback form.
Moodle environment upgrade
As a reminder to our previous communication, we will be upgrading our current Moodle environment to a slightly newer version during our standard upgrade period, which is scheduled for 6.30am to 8.30am on Wednesday 12 March. This upgrade will take place during consolidation week to minimise disruption. Moodle will function exactly the same way after the upgrade but will help ensure a smooth transition to the cloud later in the year.