How to Use our Learning Space (aka Help with Moodle)

You can attach documents to a post in a discussion forum. Follow the steps below.

1. Begin by starting a new post or replying to someone else's post.
   
2. Make sure the Subject field is filled out.
   
3. Enter text in the Message field (the empty box to the right of 'Message').
4. Click on 'Advanced' (appears to the right of the 'Post to forum' button at the bottom of the Message field). An 'Attachment' option field appears.
   
5. Drag and drop your file into the space and then click on 'Post to forum.'
6. If you want to find the file on your computer, click in the space (or click on the file icon) and the File picker window opens. Choose 'Upload a file' and navigate to the place you have stored your attachment file. 'Choose File', give it a file name, confirm the license and select 'Upload this file.'
   
7. In the Attachment field you should now see your file. Click 'Post to forum.' In the forum, you will see your reply with the file attached.

You can record short audio messages directly into your discussion forum postings. Adding your voice to the other comments and ideas you write can make your posts more meaningful for other learners and your instructor.

Note:  The built-in recording tool limits your audio recording time to two minutes.

1.  To record a message you'll need a microphone. You may use a headset with microphone to plug into a computer or laptop or you can record using a phone and the Moodle app.

2.  Start a new discussion topic in your forum. Add a subject heading and enter some text to explain what the recording will be about.

3. Expand the editor toolbar by clicking on the down arrow that appears in the first position on the toolbar. Look for the 'Record audio' button on the bottom row.

4. Check your notes, make sure your microphone is ready and click on the recording button.

Sharing short audio recordings can help you make a point or add some information or humour to your forum postings.

You can share audio recordings from public pages on the Internet OR you can upload and share short audio clips from your computer or mobile device. Check out how:

• Share a recording from the Internet
• Share a recording from your computer or mobile device

Find the Calendar:

1. From your Dashboard, find a link to the Calendar in the Upcoming Events block in the right hand Navigation Panel. If you can't see the panel, click the black arrow with grey background just below your log in initials.
2. From Home, the Calendar appears in the blocks in the right hand Navigation Panel. You can also click the link in the Upcoming Events block. If you can't see the panel, click the black arrow with grey background just below your log in initials. 

Find upcoming events in the Calendar:

1. Events for the current month are shown in the main panel. 
2. If you're uncertain of the time of an event, open the event details in your calendar. Your profile is set to your home time zone and will display the correct time for you.
3. If the event is a conference call, you can find the call-in number and access code by opening the event.
4. Near the top of the page, a drop-down menu allows you to choose a different month to display.
5. For a quick look at what's ahead, there's a month-by-month display on the right side of the current month display.

Import an event (or events) into your preferred Calendar system:

1. Scroll to the bottom of the Calendar page. Click on the 'Export Calendar' button.
2. Choose what type of events to export and/or select a date range.
3. If you're comfortable importing Calendar files (ical or ics format) into your preferred Calendar system, click on the 'Export' button. If you're uncertain, click on the 'Get calendar URL' button. 
4. Copy the URL and paste it into a new browser tab. It will prompt you to open the file in your Calendar system (example: Outlook). Select this option and it will open Outlook and display the event(s). 
5. If you are adding the event(s) to a browser-based Calendar (example: Google Calendar), choose the option to 'Save the icalexport.ics' file. Then follow the steps to import the icalexport.ics file.

We use a conference call system hosted by Clarity Conferencing. You can choose to join in one of three ways.

1. By phone at: 1-855-441-5042 with the code: 1087635. Choose by phone if you do not have access to a computer or do not have Internet. This is a toll free number so you will not be charged for long distance. If the toll free number doesn't work, you can dial long distance using 1-647-689-4777.

OR

2. On your computer at: https://recreation-north-rec-parks-assoc-of-the-yukon.meet.clarityconferencing.com/conf/call/1087635. Choose your computer if you have reliable high-speed Internet.

Communicate privately with another learner, with your trainer, or in a group set up by your trainer.

Option 1 - Message

1. Click on the chat icon to the left of your name in the top right corner of your screen to get to your 'Messages'. This feature is always available when you are in Moodle.(You can also click your profile name, picture or down-arrow and then choose 'Messages' from the drop-down menu.) 
2. A side-bar opens when you click 'Messages' at the bottom of your screen. The side-bar sorts your messages by 'starred' or 'group' (if your trainer has set up groups) or 'private.' You can click on a message to read it and/or to reply.
3. To start a new message, start typing someone's name (first or last name) in the upper search bar. You will need to click the search icon for it to look up names. If you have people in your contact list, you can find them by clicking 'Contacts'. 
4. When the person's name shows up, click on it.
5. You can 'write a message' in the space at the bottom of the sidebar. Click the arrow to send the message.

Option 2 - Message

1. When you are in a learning event, click 'Participants' towards the top of any page.
2. Click on the name of the person you want to message to open their profile.
   
3. Select the message icon to message the person. The sidebar will automatically open with the message space ready for you.
   
4. You can also add a person to your Contacts so you can access them directly from your Message icon up by your profile picture.
   

Option 3 - Email

1. From a learning event, click 'Participants' towards the top of any page.
2. Click on the name of the person to open their profile.
3. Copy their email address and email directly from your own email program.

You can use your Dashboard to stay on track with your learning events and easily find where you left off each time you return to the Learning Space.

1.  Navigate to your Dashboard from the top menu.

2.  The default view (before you customize it - see final step for how) shows a series of blocks outlined in gold. You can choose the Customize this page button to move, hide, delete or configure each block.

3.  Explore each block before you customize - try to understand how you can use the information and what fits your learning preferences.

My courses block:  shows the courses (learning events) you are registered in and links to the complete listing of courses available to you.

Course overview block:  (default Card view)

• All (except hidden) tab:  shows your courses - the 3 periods '...' allow you to Star a course or Hide from view. Starred courses stay at the top of your list.
  Click on the All tab to change your view to show courses In progress, Future or Past.  You can also select to show only Starred or Hidden courses.
• Course name tab:  allows you to sort your coures by name or by date
• Card tab:  default is to display courses in Card view. You can change this to List or Summary view.

• shows what is due for each courses - display due dates for Next 7 days, Next 30 days, Next 3 months and Next 6 months. Highlight when activities are Overdue.
• sort by date or by course name
  

Calendar block:  displays a month at a time, shows events for your courses

Upcoming events:  shows events in your course(s) starting from the current day

Latest badges:  shows any badges you've earned

Online users:  shows who is online in the Learning Space 

4.  If you'd like to modify or customize your dashboard, click Edit mode at the top right of the page. This displays two icons at the top right of each block:

 a Move block icon and an Actions icon.  The Actions icon allows you to Configure, Hide or Delete each block. When you're finished, click on the Stop customising this page button. 

If you make a mistake or change your mind, you can select Reset page to default.

Updated:  August 2022 CS

1. Go to your Profile and click the small arrow beside your profile picture to drop down a menu. 
   
2. Click on 'Preferences.'
   
3. Select 'Forum Preferences' under 'User Account.'
   
4. In the email digest type drop-down, choose the option 'Complete (daily email with full posts).' 
   
5. Scroll down the page and save your changes (without changing any of the other settings).
   

When you use Moodle, you receive emails when your trainer posts to a forum in a learning event, when someone replies to a forum post, or when someone sends you a private message.

The email messages look something like this:

If you try to reply to the message, from your email program, you'll get a "Do Not Reply" message and your message will not be delivered as you planned.

To respond to an email from a forum posting

1. Select "Reply" from the bottom of the forum message email. This will take you into forum in Moodle, although you may have to log in first. 
   
2. Reply to the message from the discussion forum so your response can be seen by others who are part of that forum.
   
3. Use the "see this post in context" link to read the entire topic thread before deciding whether or not to respond.
   

To find a list of your own posts:

1. Click your profile picture or the drop-down arrow at the top right and select 'Profile.'
2. Under 'Miscellaneous,' click 'Forum Posts' to read all the posts you have made list from most recent to oldest. Or, click 'Forum Discussions' for the discussions you started.
   
3. Click on subsequent pages if there is a long list of posts.
   
4. To find more details about a post and the learning event and forum where it originated, click ‘see this post in context' to the bottom right of the post.

Discussion forums are an important way of communicating. Here is a basic overview of how to post or respond to posts within forums.

Start a new conversation (called a 'thread'):

1. Click on 'Add discussion topic.'
   
2. Fill in the Subject field so that others will know what your conversation is about.
   
3. Enter your text in the Message field (the empty box to the right of Message).
   
4. If you want to insert a picture, move to the place in your post where you want it to display. Then, look to the right side of the edit toolbar for the picture icon (Insert or edit image).
   Click on the icon and then browse to the place where you've stored the image. Add a brief description, modify the size and select the alignment. Then click 'Save image.'
5. If you want to attach a file, click on the last icon on the toolbar (Manage files).
   Drag your file into the area that displays or click on it to navigate to the file location on your computer or mobile device.
   
6. Scroll to the bottom and click 'Post to forum.'
   

NOTE:  You'll see a message that says you have 30 minutes to change your post before it is shared with others in the Forum.

If you prefer a video, check out the 'Post Topic to Forum' video on

To reply to a post:

1. Click on a conversation 'thread' to read and respond.
   
2. Read the post or posts that make up the conversation. Decide whether you want to respond to the original post OR to one of the participants who have already responded.
3. To respond to the main topic (first post), look to the right of the post and click 'Reply.' Your post will appear at the bottom of the list of other replies.
   
4. To respond to a specific post in the conversation, click on that post and look at the end of it for 'Reply.'  In your reply, you can change the Subject to show you are responding to a specific part of the conversation topic. Add your Message.
   
5. When you're ready, scroll to the bottom and click 'Post to forum.'

To reply to an email you receive from a forum discussion:

Our settings will not let you post a reply in a forum by replying to an email. Instead...

1. Follow the instructions for Emails: Responding to forum emails. You may have to log in and, when you do, you will be taken directly to the forum.
   

OR

1. Click ‘Forward’ the email and enter the email address of the person(s) to whom you want to reply. This will NOT record your message in any forum. It will only be seen by the person to whom you send the email.

You can display digital copies of photos, drawings, illustrations, and charts in the Learning Space.

For more information, check out:

• How to share an image in your post.
  
• The Moodle Help page: https://docs.moodle.org/35/en/Images
  
• How to upload and display images from a variety of sources via the image icon of the text editor.

It's easy to add photographs (images) to your forum posts as long as the images aren't too big for others to view. Here's how to make your images as small as possible so others can see them too.

Resize and compress

Images are sized in 'pixels' (width and height). Select a width of around 500 pixels wide. Most apps or programs automatically adjust the height through 'proportionate resizing.

Resize and compress your image by:

• Using a photo editing app on your smartphone or iPad.
  
• Uploading your image to a free web-service like TinyPNG or TinyJPG Follow the instructions on the site and you'll be surprised at how small it will be afterwards.
  
• Use a program already installed on your desktop. 
  
• Ask a trainer for help.
  

To add your compressed image into a forum post:

1. Place your cursor where you want the image to appear.
   
2. Look for the image icon (Insert or edit image) in your toolbar. If you don't see the editing toolbar, click on 'Advanced.'  Click on the image icon and then click on "Browse repositories" to locate the image on your device.
   
3. When your image is selected, add a brief description to make it more accessible. You can modify the size and chose different alignment options.
   
4. Click 'Save image' and 'Post to forum.'

The Recreation North Training Program calls its courses 'learning events'.  In the Learning Space, you will see learning events referred to as 'courses.' This is because we use Moodle and cannot change the term 'course'.

You can find your learning events/courses from your Home page, your Dashboard, and under 'My Courses' in the top menu bar.

From the Home page:

From the Dashboard:

Click ‘Dashboard' or the Recreation North Training Program icon at the top left of your page. Learning events (courses) are listed in several places. ‘My courses’ will be found in the middle of the Dashboard page below the 'Timeline.' You can change your Timeline to show you what's coming up as well as what is overdue.

My Courses

Click ‘My Courses’ in the top green menu to find a list of all your learning events. Scroll down to read an overview of each learning event, including its start date.

Looking for older learning events?

If you are looking for a learning event that has already ended or if the instructions above don't work, click 'My courses' at the top of the page. Make sure 'All courses' is selected. Use the 'Search' space to enter part of the name of the learning event.

Finding your way around 

Watch this brief video. It shows how to use your Dashboard and find your learning events.

When you receive an email inviting you to log-in to the Recreation North Learning Space:

1. Go to the Home page at http://learn.recnorth.ca
   
2. Look for the "Log in" link on the top right hand side of your screen. Select this option and a log-in window appears. 
   
3. Enter your username and assigned password.
   
4. Bookmark the location of the Rec North site so it's easy to return.
   
5. If you're using a public or shared computer, please log out after each session.
   

After logging in, on the top, right hand side of the screen, you'll see your name next to an empty circle (where your profile picture will display). You'll also notice a new column on the left that allows you to navigate to the 'Calendar', Messages, your Profile, etc.

Use the private message feature in Moodle to communicate with other users of Recreation North's Learning Site.

Option 1 - Message

Option 2 - Message

Option 3 - Email

Modify your message settings 

Participants are able to message one other participant at a time, using the Participants page or Moodle messaging.

Trainers can send more pressing or urgent messages to a group of participants, or all participants in a learning event, as follows:

1. Go to the Participants page.
   
2. Select participants from the list or use the 'Select all' button at the bottom of the list.
   
3. From the 'With selected users...' drop-down menu, choose 'Add/send message.'
   
4. Type the message, then click the 'Preview' button.
   
5. Assuming you are satisfied with the message, click the 'Send' button.
   

Navigation panel or drawer

At the top right is an arrow that opens your navigation panel or drawer. Click on the arrow to show or hide the navigation drawer.

When open, you will see a menu with upcoming events, your badges, latest announcements  and online users.

Dashboard

Quickly access your Dashboard by clicking 'Dashboard" in the top menu of the screen.

Your Dashboard is a personalized home page that includes an overview of your learning events in the centre and other information (e.g. upcoming events) down the right-hand side.

Get into a Learning Event (Course)

You can use the your Dashboard or top menu bar to get into a learning event or course space.

Your Dashboard has a listing of your courses (My courses) and a Course Overview area that allows you to change the way you look at courses (In progress, Future, Past). You also have options to star or hide specific courses.

Updated:  August 2022 CS

You may want to change your password occasionally or when you first log-in. To change your password:

1. Select the arrow next to your profile picture for the drop-down menu. Click 'Preferences.'
   
2. Look for the Change password option in the User Account area. Click 'Change password.' 
   
3. With the Change Password page open, enter the password you were given and choose a new password (minimum of 8 characters). Click "'Save changes".
   

Resize and compress

Images are sized in 'pixels' (width and height). Select a width of around 500 pixels wide. Most apps or programs automatically adjust the height through 'proportionate resizing.' 

Resize and compress your image by:

• Using a photo editing app on your smartphone or iPad. 
  
• Uploading your image to a free web-service like TinyPNG or TinyJPG. Follow the instructions on the site and you'll be surprised at how small it will be afterwards. 
  
• Use a program already installed on your desktop. 
  
• Ask a trainer for help.

Click here for more information.

1. Place your cursor where you want the image to appear. 
   
2. Select the image icon in your toolbar. The 'Image Properties' window opens and you can "Browse repositories" to locate the image on your device. 
   
3. Click 'Save image.'
   
4. Re-orient or rotate your photo if it appears sideways.

Sometimes a photo displays incorrectly (usually sideways) when added to a post. The way you hold your camera or phone when taking the picture can make this happen.

Landscape orientation, where you hold the camera/phone horizontally, is recommended for Moodle. 

Most modern devices have built-in orientation sensors in that add information to the photograph (EXIF data) so it is re-oriented and displayed correctly when you share it to a website. If your device doesn't correct the orientation of your photo, use photo editing software before trying to post it again.

On a Windows computer...

1. Go to Windows Paint, a free program option, and open the image that is displaying sideways.
2. Look for the Rotate option, click on it, and select 'Rotate right 90^o' or 'Rotate left 90^o'
3. Save the photograph with a slightly different name so you can be sure to post the updated image.

On a Mac computer...

1. Follow the steps in Resize, rotate, or flip an image
   

For an iPad or iPhone...

1. Refer to How to rotate in Photos for iPad or iPhone
   

To add a picture for your profile image:

1. Select the arrow to the right of your Profile image circle.
   
2. Select 'Profile' from the drop-down list to open your Profile Dashboard.
   
3. Look for User Details and select 'Edit profile.'
   
4. Scroll down the page and look for the New picture area in the User picture section. You can click on the 'Add' icon or just drag-and-drop your image into the space.
   
5. Start with a small image (jpeg or png only) as the profile picture will be resized to a 100x100 pixel square.
   

For more information, check out the written explanation from Moodle.

To change your Profile Image

1. From the arrow to the right of your Profile image circle, click on 'Profile' in the drop-down list to open your Profile Dashboard.
2. Look for User details and select 'Edit profile.'
   
3. Scroll down the page and find your current profile picture under User picture.
4. Check the Delete checkbox to delete your current image.
5. Then, select click 'Add' or just drag-and-drop your new image into the space. Remember to use a small image that is jpeg or png.

Required Learning Activities or RLAs are posted in the RLA forum. To learn how to share your RLA with words, audio, files, images, videos, etc., search the word "post" in this Glossary.

To learn how to create "awesome" RLAs, check out this resource.

1.  Select a recording you want to share as part of your post. Copy the web location of the audio recording.

Set up your time zone

When you create an account, the default time zone is America/Whitehorse. 

Change your time zone setting in your Profile. Click the drop-down arrow beside your initials or profile picture, then choose Profile. In your Profile window, choose Edit Profile as shown below and then find your time zone.

Note for NWT learners: Moodle dropped Yellowknife as a time zone option in 2023. Choose America/Edmonton instead. 

You can add short video messages to your forum posts. Adding short video recordings to the comments and ideas you write can make your posts more meaningful for other learners and your instructor.

Note:  The built-in recording tool limits your audio recording time to two minutes.

1.  To record a video, you'll need a webcam (may be built into your laptop or mobile device). If you plan to use your mobile device, make sure you have installed the Moodle app.

2. Start a new discussion topic in your forum. Add some text to explain what the recording will be about.

3. Expand the editor toolbar by clicking on the down arrow that appears in the first position on the toolbar. Look for the 'Record video' button on the bottom row.

Sharing short video recordings can help you make a point or add some information or humour to your forum postings.

You can share video recordings from public pages on the Internet OR you can upload and share short video clips from your computer or mobile device. Check out how:

• Share a video from the Internet
• Share a video from your computer or mobile device