Why use this framework?

The Purpose of this framework

The How-to Moodle framework has been created based on user centred research and design principles. Its purpose is to improve both the student and staff experience when using the Moodle platform.

We want our students to have the best digital learning experience possible, and to be able to access learning material quickly and easily whenever they need to. This aligns with UAL’s Guiding Policies 1 and 2. If you use this template to complement your learning content, and adhere to some best practice guidance, students will intuitively be able to navigate to the content they most need.

How to Moodle Design Principles:

Prioritise student tasks
Be consistent
Streamline page content
Make it accessible and inclusive
Make it work on any device
Use clear visual design

How the framework helps students?

Students often highlight the confusion they face when they are trying to find resources on Moodle. As a student progresses through their learning, they can encounter different unit layouts, changes in terminology and changes to where they are used to finding information.

By using this design and following this guidance, students will benefit from the following:

Intuitive and consistent navigation on their learning pages
Consistency in where they go to find information, reducing stress and saving time.
Best practice digital accessibility
Continuous improvement to the template based on student feedback

How can the framework help you as academic staff?

Talking to staff often highlights the steep learning curve when using Moodle for the first time, challenges with editing, and uncertainties about the best way to structure learning content.

Some staff Quotes from our research across the colleges and CCI:

“I spend a lot of time having to think about organising content for users”
“not terribly intuitive”
“a lot of time taken to orientate students”
“Its very challenging the make the interface user friendly. Have to learn by trial and error.”

By using the How to Moodle framework you will benefit from the following:

A set of guidance notes that will support staff involved in setting up Moodle pages that are easy for their students to navigate.
A fully supported template. The Teaching and Learning Service in Digital and Technology, will ensure all code and functionality is working with each annual upgrade of Moodle.
Take advantage of new functionality and continuous improvement to the template throughout the academic year as we learn more about what you need.
The more we adopt the framework across UAL, the easier it is for staff who work across the colleges and different programmes there will be no need to relearn Moodle.

Who are the team behind it?

Coordinated by the Teaching and Learning Service within UAL’s Digital & Technology group, the work to develop this framework is an ongoing, iterative and collaborative process involving User Experience researchers, designers, front end developers, product and delivery managers, working closely with the college and academic Digital Learning teams.
As part of Digital and Technologies ways of working, this is not a project with a start and end date, and the framework will evolve and improve over the lifecycle of the Moodle platform.

Support and Feedback

Please contact your local Digital Learning team for any feedback or questions relating to framework.