Module 2: Moodle Administration Basics

Time: 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Duration: 75 minutes
Delivery style: Presentation, demo, and guided walkthrough

What You Will Be Able to Do

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Navigate the Site administration area.
• Understand common administrative categories.
• Manage users at a basic level.
• Explain roles and permissions in simple terms.
• Understand how courses are created and organized.
• Identify common Moodle activities and resources.

Topic Files

• Site Administration
• User Management
• Roles and Permissions
• Course Management
• Activities Overview

Hands-On Notes for You

• Demonstrate navigation rather than explaining every setting.
• Do not try to memorize every administration page during the first pass.
• Focus on the settings they are most likely to support.
• Use the terms authentication, enrolment, role, permission, and context repeatedly.
• Ask yourself: “Is this a login problem, a course access problem, or a permissions problem?”

Real-World Examples

• A lecturer says a student cannot see a course. The administrator checks whether the account exists, whether the user can log in, whether the course is visible, and whether the student is enrolled.
• A department assistant needs to manage courses in one faculty. Instead of making the assistant a site administrator, the organization may assign a manager role only in that category.
• A teacher cannot add activities. The support team checks whether the teacher has the editing teacher role in that course.

Demo Ideas

• Navigate through Site administration categories.
• Create a test user account.
• Search for a user and view profile details.
• Create a sample course category and course.
• Enrol a user as a student.
• Assign a teacher role in a course.
• Add a File resource and Forum activity to a sample course.

Guided Walkthrough Suggestion

Follow these steps in a training Moodle site:

1. Log in as an administrator or training manager.
2. Open Site administration.
3. Search for a user.
4. Open a course.
5. View participants.
6. Add one enrolment.
7. Turn editing on.
8. Add one simple resource.
9. Add one simple activity.
10. Return to the course page and confirm visibility.

Key Takeaway Summary

• Site administration is the main configuration area.
• User access depends on authentication, enrolment, roles, permissions, and context.
• Courses are organized into categories and contain resources and activities.
• Administrators should make controlled, documented changes.

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