Smart Penguin

Clark College eLearning Tech Support

Smart Penguin

Clark College eLearning Tech Support
  • About
  • Test Taking Tips
  • Ask eLearning
  • Moodle Tutorials
Twitter RSS

Welcome!

Here you'll find technical information to help you succeed in your online courses. Our pages are above and categories are below, with a tag cloud floating around here somewhere...

Run with the ‘Fox

Posted In: Browser Issues, Faculty FYI, General Tips

Click to download FirefoxGetting the right browser setup and running is critical to your success with online coursework.  Mozilla Firefox is the browser of choice and is at the top of our recommended list for Clark’s Moodle as it presents the fewest issues for our users.  Firefox installs easily and comes setup for access to your online courses.  You can still use another browser as your default choice for surfing, but to go to class, just fire up Firefox and access Moodle with that instead.

If your instructor requires you to use Internet Explorer for your class, you could use Internet Explorer 8 after clicking the “Compatibility View” button.  By placing the IE 8 browser in compatibility mode you will force the browser to behave as an IE 7 version while working in Moodle.  This is important so you can view all content, assignments, forum text boxes, etc.  Moodle users have been reporting multiple incompatibility issues with Internet Explorer 9, so we are advising that users switch to Firefox instead.

You should also be aware that two other popular browsers, Safari and Chrome, are not recommended for use with our current version of Moodle.  Users have reported multiple issues with forum editor tools, Wiris equation editor, display errors, and quizzes.  Once again, Firefox for Windows or Mac should be the browser of choice.  Click the Firefox logo above to download and install.

└ Tags: Chrome, Firefox, Forum Issues, IE 8, IE 9, Internet Explorer, Moodle, Safari, Test Trouble, Wiris
 Comment 

WIRIS Wizardry

Posted In: eLearning, Faculty FYI, Online Tools, Resources

WIRIS Editor buttonWIRIS EquationsClark’s online math courses have upgraded to the WIRIS Equation Editor for your use in forums in our Moodle joule.  You’ll notice a yellow button in the forums text editor toolbar with a square root symbol on it.  Clicking that button will bring up the WIRIS editor window where you can use the symbol and operator palettes to automatically create nice looking math expressions in your forum discussions.  This makes taking an online math course at Clark much easier and more enjoyable.  In fact, WIRIS is pretty fun to use, so play around with it if you like, and check out our online math offerings and sign up for one of these popular courses… It’s as easy as Pi!  :)

Note:  Safari and Chrome browsers are not recommended for use with Clark’s Moodle and will cause issues with WIRIS and other editing tools in your online forums.

If you’re prepping for an online math course and want to become a WIRIS wiz, here’s a link to the user manual.

└ Tags: Forum Tips, Joule, Moodle, Wiris
 Comment 

Fine Feathered Friends

Posted In: eLearning

Our returning visitors will notice that Smart Penguin has undergone a molt!

Take a look around and feel free to use our Ask eLearning page to let us know if there are any problems or more changes that you would like to see, as we continue to preen and tweak our new look…

Welcome, Smart Penguins, to Fall quarter at Clark College!

 Comment 

Stayin’ Alive

Posted In: Faculty FYI, General Tips

Tick TockOne of the keys to success with Moodle is being aware of your server activity and session timeout.  Whenever you log in, Moodle starts a session for you and tracks your time.  After three hours of no server activity, Moodle will automatically logout for you and close the idle session.  Server activity would consist of making requests of Moodle, such as clicking on an assignment or forum thread and saving or submitting your response in a forum or test, but not reading or typing.  So even if you have been typing a long forum reply or essay, you could click to save and receive the dreaded sesskey (timeout) error and lose your work if you’re not careful.

To avoid this possibility, when you are in the process of typing a long forum reply or essay and believe you may be close to three hours with no server activity, it’s a really good idea to highlight and copy your text before you request Moodle to save your work.  Either that or type any long responses in another program like Notepad or TextEdit first, and then copy and paste that text into the Moodle text editor.  To prepare for a big essay test, you could also take the extra step of first logging out and back into Moodle, so you’re sure that you have a fresh session to work with.

└ Tags: Forum Issues, Moodle, Test Trouble
 Comment 

MoodleMorphosis

Posted In: eLearning, Faculty FYI, Login Issues

Clark Moodle LoginOn June 22, all student Moodle usernames were changed to match your username for the computer labs and student Gmail name (the part before @students.clark.edu).  For example, if your student Gmail address is o.oswald2@students.clark.edu then your username would be o.oswald2 … To determine your username, use the Student Self Service utility on the Current Students page and enter the requested information.

On the same date, all student Moodle passwords were changed to the last 6 digits of your Student ID number (everything after 940).  Once you login, you will immediately be prompted to change your password.

NOTE:  Changing your password on Clark’s Current Students page will NOT change your Moodle password!

To get acquainted with Moodle before your classes start, check out the Moodle Tutorials page.  There you will find videos, an online orientation, and a link to our schedule for on-campus orientations.  Also, be sure you’re aware of the other changes to student Moodle accounts in First Class Email.

As always, if you’re registered for the current quarter and have trouble logging in after the dates posted here or in our sidebar, file a Tech Ticket to get some help.

└ Tags: Moodle, My Account, Password, Tech Help, Videos
6 Comments

First Class Email

Posted In: eLearning, Faculty FYI, General Tips, Login Issues, Resources

As you probably know, most online services at Clark now require an activated student Gmail account.  Beginning Summer quarter 2011, all student Moodle accounts automatically have your student Gmail address entered by default and the email address field will no longer be changeable.  This means you must activate your student email account in order to receive forgotten password reset notices and email messages from your instructors, an important mode of communication in an online class.  If you prefer to use another email account to read your mail, you can set up forwarding in your student Gmail account… Step-by-step instructions to set up forwarding are found on page 7 of Student Email How-To (pdf).

To make sure you’re ready for the first day of class, check out your student Gmail account and get it set up and ready to go…

Activate Student Gmail AccountActivate Your Free Student Gmail Account

Download Detailed Step-by-step Instructions

For help, contact student Gmail support:
Phone: 360-992-2010
Email: gmailhelp@students.clark.edu
Visit: Cannell Library computer lab technicians (upstairs)

Another change to Moodle over the summer was the adoption of the new student usernames to match your computer lab logins and Gmail accounts… For more information about that change read MoodleMorphosis.  8-)

└ Tags: Email, Moodle, My Account, Tech Help
1 Comment

Is “E” for Me?

Posted In: eLearning, General Tips, Resources

Today’s learning is different from traditional face-to-face learning in many respects.   Some individuals feel more comfortable learning in an online or web-enhanced environment than others.   Are you a good fit for online or web-enhanced learning?  Find out by completing the SmarterMeasure assessment.  It will take you about 35 minutes from start to finish, but you can log out and complete it later if necessary.  After you login, you will receive an email from SmarterMeasure with a PIN number that will allow you to log back in later or review your results.

SmarterMeasure is meant to be an interesting experience by which you may learn more about yourself and how to succeed in an online or web-enhanced environment.  Take your time to answer the questions about yourself honestly.

The 6 categories of questions are:

  1. Life Factors
  2. Individual Attributes – procrastination, time management, willingness to ask for help, academic attributes
  3. Learning Styles – what is your predominant learning style?
  4. Technical Competency, Skills, and Knowledge
  5. Reading Rate and Recall
  6. Typing Speed and Accuracy

You will receive a full report immediately following the completion of all areas of SmarterMeasure.  You may email this report, print it, or download it to save for future reference if you like.  It also provides links to some web tools designed to improve your tech readiness in specific areas.

To login, click here: SmarterMeasure or go to:  www.clark.smartermeasure.com
Then use the following credentials to start your self-assessment…

username:  eClark
password:  Penguin

└ Tags: Resources
 Comment 

Not in the Moodle?

Posted In: General Tips, Login Issues

Moodle Powered PenguinIf you’ve recently registered for classes and are trying to login on Clark’s Moodle without success, the most likely reason is that you don’t have an account in Moodle yet.  If the date for new account creation has passed (posted below), then it might help to know that it can take 12-24 business hours for your Moodle account to be created and placed into your course.

If you’ve had a course in Moodle before, then you should still have an account and be able to login.  If you’re a returning student from quarters previous to Summer 2010, click here to learn more.

Be sure you’re entering your username and password carefully (usernames are not case sensitive, but passwords are).  If you have forgotten your password, you can use the password reset utility on the Moodle login page.  Just be sure to enter either your username or your student email address (password resets will only be sent to your student email address).

The date below shows when we will be creating new accounts for students who are registered for courses that will be using Moodle.  Also displayed is the latest date and time when you should expect your fully online courses to be available.

New Moodle accounts for Winter are available on:  Jan. 3rd

(For prompt notification when new accounts are ready,

follow Smartpenguin twitter alerts)

Winter online classes in Moodle should be available by noon on:  Jan. 9th

Even after you login, your new classes may not appear.  If you don’t currently have any courses in Moodle, you will see this message, “No course information to show.”  Some instructors will make their online courses available to students a few days early, but many follow the college schedule.  So the latest you should see your online course appear is noon on the first day of classes.  If not, file a Tech Ticket right away so we can get you going.  Telecourses, hybrid, web enhanced, and face-to-face courses may be turned on later, after you have met with your instructor.  It is also possible that your course may not be using Moodle, so check with your instructor.  Note: Telecourses will require face-to-face orientations on their first day, so be sure to check the schedule of classes for the time and place to meet.

While you’re waiting for the new quarter to start, take the opportunity to make sure your student Gmail account has been activated and is functioning, go to an eLearning orientation or check the online Moodle tutorials.  Many instructors will send out email announcements to their class using the college provided student Gmail addresses… So checking to make sure that your Clark student Gmail account is working is a vital first step to your success in a class using Moodle.

└ Tags: Moodle, My Account, Password, Tech Help
13 Comments
  • Page 1 of 3
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • »

How Do You Use This Site?

The posts here address common questions and provide resources that smart students have been asking eLearning...

New to Moodle? Go straight to the Moodle Tutorials page.

Searching for the answer to an issue? You can search by category, tags, or search box all found on this page.

If you can't find the answer here and need help with a technical issue, file a Tech Ticket.

Feel free to offer constructive comments, help tech support collect data on an issue, or provide feedback on what is or isn't working. You can stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed and follow @smartpenguin on Twitter for Clark College Moodle events and online student information alerts.

Categories:

Tag Cloud - Click a Topic!

.docx Assignment Tips Chrome Email File Types Firefox Forum Issues Forum Tips IE 8 IE 9 Internet Explorer ISP iWork Pages Jing Joule Mobile Moodle MS Word Multimedia My Account OpenOffice Password Resources Safari Screenshot Security Tech Help Test Trouble Videos Wiris

WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.

Smart Penguin Twitter Alerts

Winter Quarter Start Dates:

New Moodle Winter Accounts Available:
JAN. 3 ...What time? Follow Smartpenguin twitter alerts for prompt notification when these are ready

Winter Online Classes Available By:
NOON on JAN. 9

Subscribe to Smart Penguin by Email

Click to go to Clark Moodle

Clark Moodle Login

Still Having Trouble?

If you're a Clark College Moodle Joule user and you've read through the information here on Smart Penguin, but still need help, you may file a Tech Ticket with eLearning Technical Support...

Click here

Clark College Links

  • Advisories & Alerts
  • Bookstore
  • Cannell Library
  • eLearning
  • eLearning Tech Support
  • Moodle Login
  • Online Course Schedule
  • Online English Courses
  • Online Mathematics Courses
  • Smart Penguin Twitter Alerts
  • Tech Ticket
  • The eLog

©2009-2011 Smart Penguin | Powered by WordPress with Easel | Subscribe: RSS | Back to Top ↑