Moodle: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you do not see the answer to your question below, browse to other Moodle instructions in the IT KnowledgeBase. To provide suggestions for this page, contact moodle@depauw.edu.

Moodle Basics

Faculty Specific

Student Specific

Moodle basics

How do I access Moodle from my computer?

Browse to moodle.depauw.edu and log in using your DePauw account username and password.

Can I access Moodle in any browser?

Moodle can be accessed by most browsers. However, Moodle works best with the latest version of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome for both the Macintosh and Windows environments. Click on one of the previous links to download a preferred browser.

How do I log into Moodle?

  1. Browse to https://moodle.depauw.edu/.
  2. Enter your DePauw account Username and Password .
  3. Click Login.

How do I change my DePauw password?

Change or reset password

Instructions on changing your DePauw account password can be found on the Change password: DePauw Account page. Log in information will be sent to your DePauw Google email account.

Reset a forgotten password

If you have forgotten your password, visit the HelpDesk. You will need to present your DePauw ID card when asking to have your DePauw account password reset.

How do I request a Moodle course?

A Moodle course is automatically created for every class offered through the Registrar’s Office. If you are a faculty or staff member who would like to request a Moodle course for a University-recognized department or organization, please complete complete the Moodle Course Request Form.

Faculty Specific

How do I copy a previous Moodle course to Moodle 2.7?

Previous Moodle courses may be manually copied to Moodle 2.7 by the faculty member. Please refer to the Moodle 2.7 Course Backup and Restore article for further instructions.

How do I make my Moodle course visible to students?

  1. Click Edit settings in the Settings block of your Moodle course/site.
  2. In the General section, select Show in the Visible drop-down menu.
  3. Click Save changes.

How do I make Library Course Reserves available to students through Moodle?

The library course reserves block should be available in the right column from the course main page. (called “Library and academic resources”) and the library course reserves link in the same block. If you don’t see the right side column, click the arrow in the right side to show. (Sometimes this column will be collapsed.)

How do students get added to my Moodle course?

During the drop/add adjustment period, changes in enrollments will be completed automatically on an hourly basis during business hours. There may be a short time lag of 1-2 hours between the time the Registrar processes the drop/add request and the change is seen on Moodle. Students needing access to class materials before they are enrolled in a course should contact the faculty member for those materials.

Is there a way for me to add materials only one time when I have more than one section of a course?

Yes, a meta course or “parent” course may be created that pulls enrollments from the other “child” courses. To request a meta course, contact moodle@depauw.edu with your name and the courses you would like to set up as part of the meta course.

When should I backup my Moodle course?

You should back up your courses and download them to your computer at the end of each semester. This backup can also be used as a template for the course later on so you can restore it without student data (i.e., user data).  You may also want to backup the course with all the student data. We recommend exporting the gradebook in case of grade disputes. You will want to save your files to a device other than your computer (e.g., external drive, thumb drive, etc.) for long-term storage.

Why isn’t the course I’m teaching appearing in My Courses?

Your course may not be listed in the My Courses block because …

  1. It is a new course that was recently added through the Office of the Registrar. Please check with them if the course does not load in a reasonable amount of time. If the course is in the Registrar’s system, then email moodle@depauw.edu with the course name and id number for us to troubleshoot.
  2. The original request to the Office of the Registrar listed a different professor. The information in Moodle may need to be updated. Please check with the Office of the Registrar if the course does not load in a reasonable amount of time. If the course is in the Registrar’s system, then email moodle@depauw.edu with the course name and id number for us to troubleshoot.

Student Specific

Why are the classes I’m taking not appearing in My Courses?

There are several reasons why your class may not be listed in My Courses

  • The course may need to be made visible to students by the professor. Please contact your professor to let them know that students cannot access the course.
  • You have recently completed a drop/add and the Moodle course enrollment has not yet run. Please wait at least an hour and then check with the Registrar if your course is not listed.
  • The professor may not use a Moodle course.

During the drop/add adjustment period, changes in enrollments will be completed automatically each hour during business hours. There may be a short time lag of 1-2 hours between the time the Registrar processes the drop/add request and the change is seen on Moodle. If you need immediate access for course materials, please contact your professor.

How do I access Library Course Reserves?

To access Library Course Reserves

  1. Click Library Course Reserves in the Library Course Reserves block. A new Web page will open allowing access to the course’s Library Reserves. If you do not see the block in your course, please let your professor know that it needs to be added.
  2. To view an article, click on the file name.
  3. To save a file, click Save file and then choose a desired save destination.

How do I download files from my Moodle course?

To download a file from Moodle

  1. Click on the desired file.
  2. Depending on the file type
    1. Windows: Click on the download icon when the file opens.
    2. Mac: Click Save File, and then Ok to save file the file.

Why can’t I upload a file to an assignment?

Assignments can become locked if

  1. The assignment’s due date and time have passed; thus, uploading has been closed.
  2. You have already submitted the assignment, and it allows only one submission.

If you are having issues uploading a file to an open assignment, contact your professor or email moodle@depauw.edu.

Why is my assignment’s submission time red?

An assignment’s submission time is displayed as red when the assignment has been submitted late.

Updated: 11/15/2022