Moodle

Overview

Moodle is a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), an online environment that offers file sharing, communication tools and other pedagogical resources to users. The Assessment Moodle is provided for the purpose of supporting centrally managed summative exams for the 2020 – 2021 academic year. This timeframe may be extended in the future in order to meet University or UIS requirements. Cambridge University provides these services subject to the University Terms and Conditions statement. Further information and guidance for use can be found below.

Use of Assessment Moodle

Moodle is the main VLE of the University of Cambridge. The Assessment Moodle is the main VLE provided to support the centrally managed summative exams, initially for the 2020-21 academic year. It is provided by University Information Services (UIS) and is endorsed by the Digital Teaching and Learning Sub-Committee (DTLS) to support the delivery of teaching, learning and assessment across the Collegiate University.

Other Uses of Moodle

The Assessment Moodle must only be used for the purposes of supporting centrally managed assessment. Centrally managed assessments are those that are managed and administered by a cross-department team whose membership includes individuals from UIS and Educational Services (EQPO, Student Registry, Exams Office) – this team is referred to as the Central Assessment Team.

Other users may be authorised to use the Assessment Moodle in the future, but only in agreement with the UIS and where the assessments will be designed and administered in collaboration with relevant members of the Central Assessment Team and a department, college or University office.

The assessment Moodle will not be used for any assessment that is not done in collaboration with UIS (such as those managed by departments), nor will it be used for any teaching, learning or other purpose.

Devolved Responsibility for Assessment in Moodle

The main Cambridge Moodle uses a devolved ownership model: Departments, Colleges, Non-School Institutions and other offices are responsible for the management and administration of their own areas in Moodle and how those areas are used. The Assessment Moodle uses a centrally managed ownership model: The Central Assessment Team are responsible for the management, set-up, administration and auditing of courses within it, or are joint responsible if working in collaboration with other departments, colleges of offices.  

Design, uploading, configuration and testing of assessment will be done in collaboration between the Central Assessment Team and departments. The responsibility to create any assessment questions, question papers and/or rubrics will remain, and be devolved to, the responsible department, college or office. Procedures to support the setup, configuration and management of the assessments, including the upload of assessment questions, may require departments to use other systems/services. Editing access to the Assessment Moodle (and its courses) is currently given only to those in the Central Assessment Team.

The responsibility to access, download and disseminate all student submissions after the assessment is complete, is devolved to the departments. The Central Assessment Team are responsible for arranging suitable access to individuals put forward by the department. Marking, grading, feedback and assessment management/dissemination is not currently permitted inside the Assessment Moodle.

Support for Moodle Users

Support for assessment Moodle users is provided by local managers and centrally by the UIS Teaching and Learning Systems Team (T&L team) and the Exams Office.

Changes to Moodle

The T&L team regularly make changes to Moodle to improve its security, stability, and usability. Requests for changes and improvements are accepted from across the Collegiate University, and priority is given to those that improve its effectiveness as a tool to support the delivery of teaching, learning and assessment.

Review

The purpose and aims of Moodle and the policies governing its use are under constant review to ensure the system meets, and continues to meet, the University’s requirements for teaching and learning, as defined by the Learning and Teaching Strategy (2015-2018) and the Digital Strategy for Education (2016-2020).