From September 2023 all academic modules (i.e. the ones with a module code that are linked to Banner, our Student Record System) will use the new Brookes VLE template which provides accessibility improvements, consistency and standardises layout, number of core sections, labelling.
Key features
- The template is based on the Topics course format.
- The template includes 5 standard sections followed with weekly sections/units/topics that have been carried over from the previous academic year with the rollover process – see below for more details about each section of the template.
- All course sections are collapsible which reduces scrolling (especially for courses with a lot of content) and they can be collapsed/expanded individually or all at once. Moodle remembers where you left off, therefore the next time you return to a course, it will remember which section you had collapsed and expanded.
- When all sections are collapsed, it gives students the overall structure of the course.
- The Overview section (at the top of the course) will include a short video ‘How do I navigate this course?’ for all students to help them familiarise themselves with how to navigate and use the course.
- The template adapts to the various screen sizes when visiting a course on a mobile device.
What does the template include?
The template includes 5 standard sections at the top of the course as well as the weeks/units/topics that have been carried over from the previous academic year with the rollover process. In the exemplar course below, you will see a screenshot of the Brookes VLE template. Click the blue ‘i’ button to see an explanation and what content you should include in each section.
Alternative formats
You can also view the instructions of the interactive element above as a guided tour in a live exemplar course or as a video.
Key considerations (do’s and dont’s)
Things to consider and avoid when using the Brookes VLE Template.
Do
- Rename any weekly sections to match the delivery of your course as required. Note: the roll over process will have retained the section titles of your previous course.
- Move resources/activities around so that they are grouped appropriately in the correct sections as outlined above.
- Consider moving text and video content from the course page to a Page resource to reduce scroll on your course page whilst also organising your course content in a more structured manner.
- If you have a file-heavy course, with many presentations or word-processed documents, instead of listing them one by one, consider adding them to a folder. This has the benefit of not only shortening your course page but also allows you to organise your files into subfolders.
- If you require additional sections for your academic course, add them after Resits or after the weekly sections.
- You can replace the generic ‘How do I navigate this course?’ video in the Overview section with your own module-specific video.
Don’t
- Do not rename the first 5 standard sections of the template.
- Do not reorder the first 5 standard sections of the template.
- Do not add other sections between the first 5 standard ones.
- Do not remove the highlight from the Assessment section.
- Do not overwhelm the Overview section (at the top of the course) with content.
- Do not use the Overview section to signpost content that is meant to be in other sections of the course.
- Do not use the Overview section to host content that doesn’t fit in any other section.
- Do not delete the ‘How do I navigate this course?’ video in the Overview Section if you are not planning to replace it with your own.