Spice up your Moodle User Profile

We always encourage users especially teachers to update their user profile on Moodle. It allows them, especially newbies to gain more confidence in using Moodle and to make their mark on the learning platform. However, the benefits of updating their user profile goes beyond this.

Something Familiar

Students are used to profiles on social networking sites such as Facebook. The profile page is a permanent feature on Facebook and is an integral part of the whole social experience. In fact, only earlier this year, it received an upgrade to incorporate a timeline and many other new features that allow users more control over how their profile page should look like.

Although the profile page on Moodle is much simpler, it can still be used to achieve the same result. Custom fields can be added to the profile page via Settings > Site administration > Users > Accounts > User profile fields. So let’s get started with your profile.

Visible and Differentiated

Updating your user profile makes it more visible. Upload an image of yourself on the profile page. If you prefer not to have your photo online, replace this with an image of your favorite object, your favorite celebrity or even your pet. You can also create an online avatar using free online tools, see links below.

By simply uploading an image to your profile, you have made your profile more visible. When participating in discussions or activities, your contribution will have the image appended to it, differentiating it from others.

Inviting and Clickable

The uploaded profile images will appear in discussions, certain activities and the participants list in the course area. These profile images are also clickable and link to the users’ profile pages. This is one way to invite other users to visit your profile page.

A Gateway to Your World

The profile page carries links and tabs to different resources and activities. Users can access their forum posts and discussions across different courses, giving them a history of all the posts they have submitted and discussions they took part in. The profile page also give users access to their blog and notes, which are handy for reflective learning. Blog and notes allow students and staff to keep a learning journal.

Reaching Out

We know that students are familiar with the profile pages on networking sites. So one way of reaching out to them on Moodle is to ensure that your profile is as complete as possible. By updating your profile, you will provide details of your areas of interest and means of contacting you. This will make it easier for users to communicate and collaborate with likeminded individuals on similar subject areas and get the most out of their e-learning experience.

So remember not to leave your profile page empty. Make the most of your profile page and make learning colourful. Do you have a creative way for improving your profile? We would like to hear from you.

Links:

Create your Avatar for free, here are some online tools to get you started:

• Face Your Manga (iPhone App Available) http://www.faceyourmanga.it/
• Dopple me http://doppelme.com/
• Digibody Caricature Maker http://digibody.com/avatar-maker/index.php
• Build Your Wild Self http://www.buildyourwildself.com/
• WeeWorld http://www.weeworld.com/
• 3D Characters at evolver http://www.evolver.com/
• For Countless More Avatar Generators http://mashable.com/2007/09/12/avatars/

If you would rather upload your own photo for your profile and need help resizing use the tools below

• Shrink Picture http://www.shrinkpictures.com/create-avatar/
• My Social Network Picture http://mypictr.com/
• Our previous article on Resize Your Photos in 3 Clicks https://www.xelium.co.uk/2010/09/resizing-multiple-photos-in-just-3-clicks/

Take it one step further

• Make your avatar follow you with http://en.gravatar.com/

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Author: Samuel J Tan

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