Tag Archives: Moodle

Moodle Upgrade

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Earlier in January, Simmons Moodle was upgraded to version 4.1.  This new version provides an improved user experience that is simplified, responsive, and more consistent.  Thank you for your understanding during this process.

Please explore some of the new features found in Moodle by reviewing the “What’s New in Simmons Moodle” page that is linked at the top of your Moodle Dashboard.  If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected], or by using the “?” symbol in the bottom-right corner of your Moodle page.

Simmons Moodle Update

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Moodle IconWe are excited to announce a significant upgrade to our learning management system, Simmons Moodle, which will take place on January 8, 2024. The transition to Moodle 4.1 represents a substantial improvement in our online learning experience, offering enhanced features and a more user-friendly interface.

Key benefits of this upgrade include:

Modern User Interface: A new sleek and intuitive interface that will make navigation and course management more straightforward.

Improved Mobile Compatibility: Increased responsiveness on mobile devices, allowing for a seamless learning experience on smartphones and tablets.

Enhanced Accessibility: Better support for accessibility standards, ensuring that all community members can access and benefit from online resources.

Streamlined Assignment Submission: Students will find it easier to submit assignments, and instructors will have a more convenient grading process.

Advanced Analytics: Improved data analytics tools, helping instructors and administrators make data-driven decisions to support student success.

There will be a scheduled downtime on the morning of January 8th, 2024, to ensure a smooth transition. We anticipate that Moodle will be unavailable for four to six hours. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

We are committed to providing the best online learning environment for our university community, and this upgrade is a significant step towards achieving that goal. To that end, we will continue to update the Simmons community with details about specific improvements directly through the Moodle platform. In addition, the Center for Faculty Excellence will be providing instructor workshops to further introduce new key features on January 10th at 11 a.m., and January 11th at 2 p.m.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to enhance your Moodle experience. If you have any concerns or questions, or would like to be considered as part of a small pilot group to provide early feedback about the new Moodle experience, please don’t hesitate to contact our Moodle Support team at [email protected].

Moodle Upgrade

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Icon for Moodle

The Simmons Moodle platform is scheduled for an upgrade before the Spring 2024 semester commences. To ensure a smooth transition to the enhanced user experience, we will be sharing updates and sneak peeks of the upcoming features during the Fall semester. If you’re interested in getting acquainted with the fresh offerings, which encompass streamlined navigation, an upgraded course page, and a revitalized dashboard, kindly explore the resources available on Moodle’s New for Teachers and New for Students pages, or refer to their dedicated YouTube playlist.

LMS Transition to Moodle

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After two years of pivot, campus-based undergraduate coursework has transitioned back to Simmons Moodle.  Faculty and Students login with their Simmons credentials and no longer use a separate password to access their coursework.  Simmons Moodle is very similar to the Learning Management System of previous years and the transition from one to the other should be smooth.  

If you need technical support, please reach out to [email protected].  All support is now provided by Simmons Staff.  The Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE) provides instructional design assistance for faculty and can be reached at [email protected].

We’re also excited to introduce Gradescope, a cloud-based grading tool.  Gradescope allows faculty to save time grading and provides analytics on how students are doing in class.  Gradescope can be used to grade a variety of assignments: quizzes, bubble sheets, exams, worksheets, projects, problem sets, projects, and programs.  Integrated with Moodle, Gradescope works with Gradebook to manage students’ grades.

On-the-Ground UG Courses Move to Moodle

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Beginning with the upcoming Summer semester, on-the-ground Undergraduate courses will transition back to Simmons Moodle Learning Management System from the Digital Campus supported by 2U that was utilized during the past two years.  Courses will be made available by faculty just prior to the first meeting of the class.  

Students may contact instructors about accessing courses in Moodle.  Additional information about navigating the platform is available at Moodle for Students.  For technical difficulties or issues accessing your account, please contact the Simmons Technology Service Desk.