Adding, Deleting, and Using Moodle Blocks

The right block drawer of Moodle’s layout can be customized with different blocks.

Adding additional blocks

  1. Select the “Edit Mode” toggle in the upper right to begin editing the course site.
  2. In the upper right, an arrow icon will appear. Click the arrow icon to open the right block drawer.
  3. Select the [+Add a block] button.
  4. Select which block you want, and it will be added to the course.  You can use the “cross” or “plus” icon to drag the new block up and down among other blocks on the right column.

Deleting blocks

  1. Select the “Edit Mode” toggle in the upper right to begin editing the course site.
  2. Click the gear icon that appears in the header of the block you would like to delete.
  3. Within the drop-down box that appears, click the Delete Activities block option.

Moving blocks

  1. Select the “Edit Mode” toggle in the upper right to begin editing the course site.
  2. You can use the “cross” or “plus” icon to drag any block where you would like within the right column of the course page.

Configuring commonly used blocks

Quickmail

Quickmail allows you to email an entire class or select students.

To send an email message:

  1. Click the Compose New Email option under the Quickmail block
  2. Select the students or groups you would like to send a message to and click [Add]; use [Add All] to send to the entire class.
  3. Add your subject and message (and attachments if you want).
  4. Click [Send Email].

Copies of your messages will be saved in the History section of Quickmail. A copy of the message will also be sent to you.

Library Resources

The block labeled “Lafayette Library” is a basic block that includes quick search options for the library catalog and other information about the library.

HTML

The “HTML block” allows you to create unique blocks that contain text, links, and images. HTML blocks can be used for a variety of functions, from posting office hours to adding external links. This block type enables embedding video, sounds, Flash, and other files that can add unique elements to your course page.

To add and configure an HTML block:.

  1. Select the “Edit Mode” toggle in the upper right to begin editing the course site.
  2. Select HTML from the “ADD A BLOCK” menu.
  3. A new block will appear with the title “(NEW HTML BLOCK)”. Select the gear icon to the right of the block, then select Configure a (new HTML block).
  4. Enter a title for the block or leave it blank to hide the title.
  5. Use the text box to add content for the block. The editing tool bar allows you to alter the look of the block.

Remote RSS Feeds

The “Remote RSS Feeds block” enables RSS feeds from external Web sites to be displayed within Moodle. As the information on the other site is changed, the block will update to show the latest feeds.

To add and configure an RSS feeds block:

  1. Select the “Edit Mode” toggle in the upper right to begin editing the course site.
  2. Select Remote RSS Feeds from the “ADD A BLOCK”menu.
  3. A new block will appear named “Remote News Feed.”
  4. Click the gear in the block and select Configure Remote news feed block.
  5. Click the Add/edit feeds link under the “Block Settings” area.
  6. Click the [Add a new feed] button located at the bottom.
  7. Copy and paste in to the “Feed URL” field the RSS feed you wish to display.
  8. Provide a Custom title if you wish.
  9. Click the [Add a new feed] button.
  10. Return to the course site homepage to select the gear in the Remote News Feed block and select Configure Remote news feed block.
  11. Select which from the list of RSS feed(s) you would like to include in this Remote News Feed block.
  12. You can also make other block changes here such as the title of the block
  13. Scroll to the bottom and click [Save changes].
  14. You will now see the RSS feed appear in the RSS block.
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