What is it?

The Board module for Moodle is a plugin that enables a post-it/sticky note board activity for students. This is a collaborative activity where the teachers sets out a number of columns with optional names and then students add contributions to a column. Students do not see who has posted what.

Why use it?

Board offers a collaborative space where participants can create headed notes with thoughts, ideas and linked resources that can be sorted and rated (optional) or categorised under different headings. 

Who can use it?

• Tutors and Course Administrators can set up and configure boards.
• Tutors and Course Administrators can, at any time, download a CSV of note creation details.
  
  
• Students can create and delete (their own) posts
• Star (rate) someone else's post (if rating has been enabled)
• Move their notes between columns. (not currently available but due shortly)
• Students notes can include:

A heading
Some text (up to 255 characters)
A link (and a link name)
An uploaded image (with Alt Text)
An embedded Youtube video (and set a name)

 Before I start...

• Consider if you want to give names to the columns in the board.
• Consider if you want to enable/disable the ability for students to rate notes. 

How do I set one up?

1. Navigate to the Moodle course where you wish to add your board.
2. With the editing turned on, in the section you wish to add your database, click the "Add an activity or resource" link (or, if not present, the "Add an activity" drop down menu ) and choose Board All settings may expand by clicking the "Expand all" link top right.
3. Give your new Board a name and a description.
4. Select your options.
5. Click the "Save and display" button at the bottom of the page.

Caution

Notes are anonymous as far as peer-to-peer visibility is concerned but participants should be made aware that the activity logs note creation details e.g. who created a note and when.
Currently the ability of students to move their posts between columns is not available - we are aware of this issue which will be resolved shortly when a new version is installed.

Further information

If you have a specific question about the tool please contact the Digital Education team.