Frequently asked questions: Students

This list provides answers to the most frequently asked questions that students ask us about accessing and using Moodle.

If you are experiencing a problem using or accessing Moodle that is not answered here, then please email moodleadmin@ipa.ie. We generally aim to respond to most queries within the same working day, although during busy times it may take a little longer for your query to be answered.

General questions

Accessing Moodle

Questions about Working with Moodle


What is moodle?

Moodle is an online environment that allows the IPA to provide students with access to electronic teaching and learning materials (such as lecture notes and links to useful websites) and activities (such as discussion forums, group assignments, reflective journals and quizzes). You can learn more about Moodle via the Moodle.org website.

The way that Moodle is used in the IPA varies from module to module: in some cases Moodle resources and activities may be additional supplements to your lectures and tutorials; in others Moodle activities may be fully integrated into your coursework.

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What Does Moodle Mean?

Moodle is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. If you want more information you can visit www.moodle.org

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How do I log in to Moodle?

In order to access Moodle you will require an internet connection and web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.

IE and firefox icons

  1. Open your web browser and go to http://www.ipa.ie/moodle
  2. In the login area in the top right-hand side of the page, enter your username and password.

After you log in, the "My courses" block in the middle of the screen will display links to the modules that you are registered for.

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Which username and password do I use to access Moodle?

These details are provided when you register. You will need to enter your username (usually a student number) and a password before accessing the system.

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I have lost or forgotten my username/password.

You can automatically reset your password by clicking on the "Yes, help me log in" button at the main logon screen. You will need to put in a valid username or e-mail address. An automatically generated password will be sent to the e-mail address the system has for you.

http://www.ipa.ie/moodle/login/forgot_password.php

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What are cookies, and why do I need to enable them?

Cookies are small text files that websites use to store information about their users. Moodle uses cookies to store and pass on your username as you move from page to page. If you are having problems accessing Moodle then you may need to configure your browser settings so that your computer will accept cookies.

Two cookies are used by this site.

The essential one is the session cookie, usually called MoodleSession. You must allow this cookie into your browser to provide continuity and maintain your login from page to page. When you log out or close the browser this cookie is destroyed (in your browser and on the server).

The other cookie is purely for convenience, usually called something like MOODLEID. It just remembers your username within the browser. This means when you return to this site the username field on the login page will be already filled out for you. It is safe to refuse this cookie - you will just have to retype your username every time you log in.

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How do I enable them?

How do I enable cookies?

Enable cookies following the instructions corresponding to the browser that you are using:

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Go to the Tools menu.
  2. Select Options.
  3. Select the Privacy icon in the left panel.
  4. Check the box corresponding to Accept Cookies from sites.
  5. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+

  1. Select the Tools menu.
  2. Click on the Privacy tab.
  3. Click the Default button (or manually slide the bar down to Medium) under Settings.
  4. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x

  1. Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
  2. Click on the Security tab.
  3. Click the Custom Level button.
  4. Scroll down to the Cookies section.
  5. To enable: Set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer to Enable. Set Allow per-session cookies to Enable.
  6. Click OK.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x

  1. Select Internet Options from the View menu.
  2. Click on the Advanced tab.
  3. Scroll down to find Cookies within the Security section.
  4. To enable: Select Always accept cookies.
  5. Click OK.

Netscape Communicator 4.x

  1. Select Preferences from the Edit menu.
  2. Find the Cookies section in the Advanced category.
  3. To enable: Select Accept all cookies (or Enable all cookies).
  4. Click OK.

If you are using Internet Explorer 4.x or Netscape Communicator 4.x, you may wish to consider upgrading to the latest versions of either Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer, as older browsers may carry uncertain security risks.

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What is a firewall, and why might it prevent me from accessing Moodle?

A firewall protects a computer, or computer network, from access by unauthorized parties. If you are having problems accessing Moodle from home or work then it is possible that your firewall’s configuration is causing a problem. Please consult your antivirus documentation if at home, or your network administrator in your place of work. If the problem persists, then please email moodle@ipa.ie .

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Can I access Moodle from home or from work?

Yes. However, you may need to configure your browser settings so that your computer accepts cookies and/or configure your firewall settings.

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Who should I contact if I am still having issues?

You can contact us via e-mail moodle@ipa.ie or via the phone on 012503654.

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What is my profile page and how can I edit it?

Your profile page displays details your name and email address, along with further optional details supplied by you. You can also add a picture to your profile.

To access your profile, click on the link to your name in the top right-hand corner of the site homepage.

Description

You can add some brief information about yourself in the ‘Description’ area.

However, you should note that any information that you place here must comply with the Code of conduct of the IPA, breaches of which will be dealt with in accordance with the details set out in the Breaches of the code of conduct for the use of Computing Resources in the IPA.

Email

Your email address is included in your profile by default. Please do not change this. If you wish to use another email account, such as a gmail account, in conjunction with Moodle, then please contact the IPA.

Mobile Phone number

You may choose to add your mobile contact details in the ‘Phone 2’ field. It must be entered with the country code, and with no leading zeroes, plus signs, or spaces; so if you have an irish account with the number 0871234567 you would enter 353871234567. If you choose to do this, then please be aware that your teachers (but not other students) will be able to view your phone number and that, occasionally, you may receive text message alerts from Moodle.

Picture

By default a 'smiley' image is displayed in your profile page, and beside any contributions that you make to Moodle activities, such as discussion forum postings. It is recommended that you upload a picture of yourself to your user profile. Alternatively, you may another include an image of your choice, providing that the image: is apolitical; is areligous; is not offensive to other users of the system; and is in conformance with the the Code of conduct for the use of computer resources in the IPA. Breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the details set out in the Breaches of the code of conduct for the use of Computing Resources in the IPA.

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I can only see one week/topic in my course

You have probably clicked on the show only this week/topic icon blank .

To display all of the other weeks/topics, click on the show all weeks/topics icon blank in the top-right hand corner of the week/topic that is visible.

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How do I manage emails from Moodle forums?

Moodle forwards you email copies of messages posted to any discussion forums that you are subscribed to, or of any instant messages sent to you while you are offline.

You become subscribed to a forum in one of 3 ways:

  1. By explicitly doing so;
  2. By making a posting to the forum yourself; or
  3. If the forum is set so that all members of the course are subscribed (this is an option available to the lecturer).

Except for the last case you can unsubscribe at any time, and your ability to read messages is unaffected: 'subscription' only means opting to receive email from the forum.

You can control the amount and type of email forwarded to you from Moodle through adjusting the settings in your Profile. To access your profile, click on the link to your name in the top right-hand corner of the site homepage.

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I don’t receive email copies of forum messages.

First, confirm that you have subscribed to the appropriate forums and that you have enabled your email address in your profile page.

Remember that if you have selected the 'digest' option in your profile, then you will only receive one message per day that combines the posts from all forums that you have subscribed to.

If you're not getting messages from forums to which you are subscribed, check your profile (click on your name at the top of the screen). By default your e-mail address used at registration receives the messages. If it fills up, Moodle will stop sending them, and even after you clear space, you will have to re-enable mail in your profile. You can change the mail account to which mail should be sent, but it's up to you to spell it correctly, and to keep it from filling up

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The screen goes blank when I click on an Office or pdf file.

This may happen if you are using the Internet Explorer browser. This solution alters your browser settings so that Internet Explorer doesn't open the Office documents within the browser, and instead, downloads the document and opens it via the appropriate Office application:

  1. Double-click My Computer.
  2. In the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
  3. On the File Types tab, in the Registered file types box, click to select the file type that you want to change. For example, click to select PPT Microsoft PowerPointPresentation.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. In the Edit File Type dialog box, click to clear the Browse in same window check box, and then click OK.
  6. Click Close to close the Folder Options dialog box.

If you continue to experience problems, please email moodle@ipa.ie .

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I am having problems viewing, opening or printing pdf files.

First make sure you have the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download and install the latest version of the Reader from: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

If you continue to experience problems, please email moodle@ipa.ie .

I am having problems viewing, opening or printing Word, Excel or PowerPoint files.

First of all make sure that you have Microsoft Office, a Microsoft office viewer, or Microsoft office compatible equivalent, installed.

If you do not have a copy of of Microsoft Office on your computer you can download and install a free viewer for the appropriate file These will allow you to view, but not to edit, the files:

Alternatively, you may want to download the (free) OpenOffice suite.

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I am having problems seeings youtubes and mindmaps

If you are having issues seeing either of these chances are you dont have Adobe Flash Players installed on your PC/Laptop.
This is available for download for free via
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

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Last modified: Wednesday, 4 September 2013, 6:16 PM