DELTA now provides a branded Moodle app that allows students and instructors to access Moodle courses using mobile devices.
This article provides an overview of the Moodle NC State mobile app, with tools or configurations that are specific to NC State University. If you're using these tools in a different environment, they may be set up and configured differently from what is described here.
About the Moodle app
The app is available for iOS and Android devices through each platform's app store. The Moodle app can be used with all of NC State's Moodle servers, including Courses, Projects and Outreach.
Using the Moodle app is not a replacement for accessing Moodle with a web browser on a desktop or laptop computer, but it can be a complementary tool to help instructors and students stay connected to their Moodle courses on the go.
The branded Moodle app is not recommended for creating or editing courses or configuring course settings. Instructors should use a full web browser for managing their courses.
Downloading the Moodle NC State Mobile App
The Moodle NC State app is available for iOS and Android devices through each platform's app store.
For specific instructions on how to download the Moodle NC State Mobile App, refer to the "Downloading the Moodle NC State Mobile App" article.
Logging in to the Moodle NC State App for the First Time
After initially downloading the app, follow the steps below to access NC State Moodle courses from the Moodle NC State app.
- On the mobile device, open the app.
- When prompted with Please select your account choose the relevant Moodle site that needs to be accessed.
- When prompted with the You need to log in to the site in a browser window, click OK.
- Enter in a valid Unity ID and Password and click the Log In button.
- Complete any required login steps.
- The browser will redirect to the app which is now logged into the relevant NC State Moodle server.
After going through this process once, the app will connect to the Moodle site directly in future sessions.
Adding and Switching Moodle Sites in the Moodle NC State App
NC State uses multiple Moodle servers for each site. When configuring the app, users must log into a single Moodle site at a time.
For specific guidance on how to access additional courses on a separate Moodle server (Current Courses, Project, Outreach, and Previous Courses) please review the "Managing Moodle Sites in the Moodle NC State Mobile App" article.
Important Considerations
The Moodle app has several limitations that instructors and students should be aware of.
Activities and Resources
Some content in Moodle cannot be viewed with the mobile app. For example, content that uses the NC State Book resource cannot be accessed with the mobile app, and embedded Panopto videos can't be viewed on the Mobile app.
In general, if content is created using one of the core Moodle activities or resources, it can be accessed with the app, but if the content uses a Moodle plugin, then access with the mobile app is not always available. Some document types may not be viewable on some mobile devices.
For most activities and resources, in the top right corner of the mobile page, there is an "i" icon that if tapped will provide a menu that will let you open the relevant activity or resource via a browser on the mobile device. Click the square icon with the angled arrow pointing upwards to launch the browser version on the mobile device which may provide a useable alternative for non mobile plugins.
For content that cannot be accessed via the mobile app, use a standard web browser instead.
Attempting Quizzes
Although it is technically possible for a student to attempt a quiz using the Moodle app, doing so is not recommended.
Attempting a quiz on a mobile device increases the potential for internet interruptions, which may cause unsaved quiz answers to be lost. When using the app, the student's responses are stored on the mobile device. The app will try to synchronize each time the user goes from offline to online, even if the student is not attempting the quiz. In addition, the quiz must be configured appropriately in order for a student to complete a quiz attempt offline.
A quiz may be attempted offline if:
- there is no time limit set
- the question behavior is deferred feedback (with or without CBM) only
- there is no network address requirement
- there are no blocked questions (questions that require that the previous question has been answered)
- there are no essay questions which require students to upload a file
Barring any technical issues that occur as a result of using a mobile device alongside these conditions, it is possible for a Quiz attempt to be offline.
Offline Usage and Course Logs
The Moodle app makes it possible for users to retain access to course materials after they have lost Wi-Fi or cellular connection on their device. The app works by retrieving course data from the Moodle servers and storing it on the mobile device for offline usage. Activity that takes place while the device is offline is generally not recorded in course logs.
Disabling (or enforcing) access via Moodle app
Instructors have the ability to set restrictions on individual course items (activities, resources, and topic blocks) that can either prevent or require use of the Moodle app with that item, according to the choice of the instructor. This feature could be used to display one version of a resource to desktop users, and a different version to mobile users.
To set these restrictions for an item, follow the steps in the "Using Access Restrictions for Activities in Moodle" article.
Examples of restrictions that can be applied:
- To cause the item to NOT be available via the mobile app:
- Set the restriction to Students must match the following: Access NOT using the mobile app.
- To cause the item to ONLY be available via the mobile app:
- Set the restriction to Students must match the following: Access using the mobile app.
The "eye" icon can be used to specify whether the restricted item is (a) visible to students, with information about the restriction, or (b) completely invisible when the restriction is applied.
Additional Resources
Downloading the Moodle NC State Mobile App (DELTA Knowledge Base)
Moodle NC State App Download (iOS Application)
Moodle NC State App Download (Android Application)
Make Your Course More Mobile-Friendly (DELTA Teaching Resources)
Moodle Mobile Considerations for Instructors (DELTA Knowledge Base)
For additional assistance, please contact the LearnTech Help Desk at learntech@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7094, or via the Get Help form on the DELTA Knowledge Base.