Tips when adding Moodle content

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Remember , when you click on a course the centre part of moodle represents the whole course – with each section or topic containing a range of resources and activites. To avoid the scroll of death and ensure pages load quickly you might like to keep the following tips in mind … (Source – testing done by I Teach with Moodle at http://tinyurl.com/pt92dhy).

Item

Impact

Best practice
 

Blocks

 Too many blocks on a course page will slow page loadingRSS and Comments blocks can particularly slow down page loading time
  1. Keep use of block to a minimum
  2. Avoid RSS and Comments blocks if Moodle server underpowered

 

Activities and Resources

 Long lists of content resources and activities on main course page can impact page loading speed

And cause ‘death by scrolling’!
  1. Use Folders, Book and Page resources to help minimise the number of individual files on course page (or use database or wiki activities)
  2. Change course settings to ‘show one section only’ (Edit course settings > Course layout).
  3. Show students how to use the ‘highlight’ option to show only 1 section/week at a time (usually a light-bulb icon).
 

Images in Labels

 Too many images on main course page seriously slows down page access
  1. Add an image to section summaries if this will enhance the look and feel of main course page
  2. Minimise the number and size of images used in section content (below section summary)
  3. Link to images where possible (via URL)
  4. Use Page if using several images to enhance content delivery

Course layout

 ‘Show all sections on one page’ setting can slow down course loading time more than ‘Show one section per page’
  1. Change course settings to ‘show one section only’ (Edit course settings > Course layout).
  2. Show students how to use the ‘highlight’ option to show only 1 section/week at a time (usually a light-bulb icon).

Discussion posts

 Recent / Latest News block  –  slower loading if many forums on your course.Tracking forum posts (Edit profile > Forum tracking) can also slow page loading time
  1. Keep an eye on page loading speed if use of the forums / discussion boards is very active – if necessary disable the blocks during very active periods
  2. During very active periods switch Forum tracking off  (Edit profile > Forum tracking)

Groups  and Groupings

 Linking activities / resources to groups (via groupings)    This can actually improve page speed

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