Moodle 2: How file management will work

As posted in Educational Vignettes  Moodle 2 is coming to City University London for academic year 2013-14 and one of the changes it brings is in file management. This post looks at the improvements in file management with Moodle 2 and is the first in a series of posts on how the investment in educational technologies will provide you with opportunities to enhance your teaching practice and support student learning

One of the most significant differences between Moodle 1.9 and Moodle 2 is the way in which files are managed. From feedback collected, improved content management was identified as a priority for staff using Moodle at City University London and Moodle, it seems, has delivered with Moodle 2.0.

The internal file manager within Moodle 2, called the File Picker, offers two key improvements in the handling of files:

1. Quicker and easier method for organising resources through the use of a simple drag and drop interface, where academics will be able to drag and drop files directly onto their module homepage or into the File Picker. Currently, you need to browse to upload your file, so the drag and drop will save clicking and time. For more information about how to drag and drop works in Moodle 2 have a look at this video. Students will also have option of dragging and dropping files from their computer into a Moodle 2 assignment; reducing the amount of clicks involved when submitting an assignment.
2. More effective ways of managing/storing files, which offers better flexibility in accessing and linking to files across modules. This allows for linked files to be automatically updated with any changes to the master file, ensuring that important information for students is always kept up-to-date.

The progress so far

After a review of external file management solutions, the Repository Working Group (whose membership includes Educational Technologists from each School and the Learning Development Centre) recommended the use of the internal file manager within Moodle 2. The Repository Working Group is currently investigating areas where improvements can be made to the File Picker to further improve the workflow when adding files and also exploring the additional opportunities offered through accessing other internal and external repositories.

We will be providing you with regular updates on how you can enhance your teaching practice and support your student learning through the Strategic Learning Environment (SLE) projects, so watch this space.