What's New in Moodle 2?

Navigation and Settings Blocks

The Navigation and Settings blocks have been completely revised and are now visible on every page in Moodle 2.

The navigation block gets you where you need to go in Moodle.

The Settings block displays links and options that are based on whatever content is on the screen.

- Blocks can be added to any page in a Moodle course.

- Blocks can be docked.

 When blocks are docked, a  vertical tab will appear along the left side of the web page.

 You can dock and undock blocks using the dock icon.

- When you move your mouse over the docked block, it will open up with the same options before it was docked.

- Docking your blocks allows for more organization.

File Management

- The functionality and interface for adding course content and handing files are redesigned in Moodle 2.

The new "File picker" gives you the options to select files from your computer, server files (files already uploaded to Moodle), recently viewed files, or your private files.

There is no "File" area in your course in Moodle 2.

- The new interface for file management is very user friendly.

Activity Completion

- Activity Completion is a new feature in Moodle 2.

It enables students to decide if they have finished a resource or activity and mark it as complete.

Overall progress through the course can be shown to both the instructor and the student.

Student view:


Instructor view:

TinyMCE Editor

- The new editor in Moodle 2 is called TinyMCE Editor.

TinyMCE allows you to easily add equations, pictures, embed media, or links.

Conditional Activities ("Restrict Access")

- Instructors are able to restrict availability of activities or resources to students using Conditional Activities.

Activities can be based on one or more conditions being met, such as a date or a grade earned.

Course Completion

- Using Course Completion in Moodle 2 allows for a course to be marked as finished according to specified criteria.

Course Completion Blocks can be used to display course completion status to both students and instructors.

User Blogs

- Students and instructors are now allowed to comment on other users blogs.

- You can also search and read other students blogs by using the 'Site Blogs' link located under the Navigation block.

Messaging

- A new feature in Moodle 2 is the upgraded messaging system.

Notification methods include email, chat, a pop-up window, private messages, and forum posts.

Users are also allowed to configure notification methods for incoming messages.

Comments Block

- The Comments block allows students and instructors to give feedback from one another.

The Comments block can be placed directly on activity pages, such as assignments.

Quiz Module

- In Moodle 2, the Quiz module offers a much-improved interface and easier navigation for students taking the quiz.

A Quiz Navigation block shows a timer and the number of questions in the quiz.