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Moodle Help Guide

All about Moodle

Advanced Moodle - Personal Learning Designer

What is the Personal Learning Designer (PLD)?

The PLD in Moodle can automatically create personalized learning paths for students, so they get content and activities that fit their needs.

What Can the PLD Do?

Below, we will show you just a few simple things instructors can do with the PLD. But it can do a lot more! When you're ready to learn the more advanced content, get in touch with us at the CETL. We'd be happy to show you more examples.

Example #1: Send an email  to students who have not logged into the course within a set number of days.

Event: Course Start Date.
Conditions: Course Login – User has not logged into the course within ___ days. 
Actions: Send Email.
Example #2: Send the student to a specific activity based on their quiz grade.

The following rule will open a file or assignment for a student  

Event: Activity Grade – Choose the Assignment or Quiz.
Conditions: Activity Grade Range. 
Actions: Go to URL or Go to Activity.
Example #3: Send a reminder email to students that haven't finished the assignment.
Event: Activity completed 
Conditions:  Activity completed (is not completed) 
Actions: Send an email to students reminding them to submit their assignment.

PLD Key Features

  • Create learning paths with activities, resources, and rules.
  • Set custom rules for progression (e.g., complete Activity A before Activity B).
  • Use Moodle quizzes, assignments, and forums within pathways.
  • Track student progress in real time.
  • Adjust pathways to fit different learning styles, speeds, and goals.

 

Table 1. Building Blocks in PLD (Events, Conditions, and Actions)

Events

Triggers activate based on student actions or performance, such as scoring above a certain percentage or submitting an assignment.

Conditions

Rules that link actions and events. Conditions can be prerequisites, performance-based, or time-based.

Actions

Steps or tasks students complete in a pathway, such as taking a quiz, submitting an assignment, or participating in a forum.
  • Activity viewed
  • Activity completed
  • Activity graded 
  • Course entered
  • Course grade change
  • Quiz or assignment 
  • Submitted 
  • Forum reply
  • Forum topic post
  • Recurring event
  • Course start date
  • Course end date
  • User role check
  • Activity viewed
  • Activity completed
  • Activity grade change
  • Course login
  • Display alert
  • Send email
  • Go to activity
  • Go to URL
  • Add user to group
  • Remove user from group

 

Accessing the PLD

Step 1

 

PLD Home Page

Creating a PLD Rule 

Step 1

 

Step 2

 

 

Quick Video

Watch this 23 second clip of using the events drop down menu. 

 

Step 3

 

Step 4

 

Quick Video

Watch this 25 second video of using the Conditions drop down menu. 

Step 5

 

Step 6

Editing a PLD Rule

Once you have created a PLD Rule, you can configure it, hide it, or show it using the PLD Editor. You can quickly see each event, condition, and action that is set in your course.  

Importing Your PLD with Your Course Content

You can import your PLD data and course content from semester to semester. 

Exporting only your PLD from a Course

Once you have configured a set of PLD Rules in either Production or Sandbox, you can Export a copy and restore it into any Course.

Why Export Your PLD?

There are several reasons why you might want to Export only your PLD from a course:

  • You can export your PLD Rules and share them with another instructor. 
  • To make sure the rules are updated in your current course. 
  • Easily update complex learning pathways. 

Only Importing the PLD

Step 1

 

Step 2

 

step 3

 

Step 4

 


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