Stay Connected On the Go with New Moodle Mobile App

July 24, 2024 Nicole Reeve-Parker

Students enjoy some outside study and relaxing time on a warm spring afternoon near flowers blooming close to Alexander Hall. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

Instructors looking for a new way to engage their students this fall need look no further than the app store: DELTA is pleased to announce the launch of the new NC State Moodle app.

Mobile apps have redefined learning in the last few years. App technology is now the preferred communication method for the vast majority of college students to stay in touch with their instructors and peers. Students like the personalization, accessibility and flexibility of apps that allow them to learn at their own pace, receive instant feedback and access content from different platforms and devices.

This latest tool in the DELTA toolbox of instructional technologies capitalizes on these preferences by leveraging the Moodle app to foster greater student engagement and success. And, while most students have access to various digital devices, some depend primarily on their mobile phones, making the new app an essential part of their educational experience.

In addition to offering an integrated and customizable mobile-friendly Moodle experience, this app can be used with all of NC State’s Moodle servers such as Courses, Projects and Outreach.

The app is available for free download at Google Play (for Android users) or the App Store (for iOS users).

Facilitating Student Engagement

The NC State branded Moodle mobile app was designed to help students stay connected with their courses, instructors and peers in a way that works best for them. Collaborative and accessible learning helps students communicate, share ideas and work on projects together — improving the overall quality of the learning experience.

In this first-ever iteration of a branded NC State Moodle app, students can quickly and easily submit assignments, view course grades and send and receive messages with instructors and other students. Push notifications and a timeline feature of due dates help students stay organized and on track.

“Loading the course docs was super easy. Notifications are streamlined, easy to read and mark off as read. I liked the presentation of the feedback on assignments because it was easy to find and read,” said NC State student Brooke Parrinello, who beta-tested the app. “Overall, the app is really well designed and super streamlined. I think my fellow students, myself included, will use it a LOT.”

Three cell phones with screenshots of an educational app. — The new NC State Moodle app has a variety of customizable features in an easy-to-use format. Here, screenshots from the 2024 Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions course (Y)Our Health demonstrate the apps style and functionality.

Offline course access capability allows students to download content, assignments and other materials directly to their mobile devices for access anytime. Students will also be able to view Moodle course calendars, view and post to forums, and track their progress with the activity completion tool.

The app allows both students and instructors to see all courses at a glance. Instructors can view sites, courses and personal notes about their students. Additionally, they can add their own notes, as well as disable or enforce access to individual course items (activities, resources, and topic blocks).

Instructor Considerations

The app has some key limitations, however. It is not recommended for creating or editing courses or configuring course settings. Instructors should generally use a full web browser for managing their courses.

Additionally, some content in Moodle cannot be viewed with the mobile app. It is highly recommended that instructors preview their full courses in the app prior to the start of each semester.

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.

More detailed information about potential limitations to the NC State Moodle app that instructors should consider, as well as tips for mobile-friendly course design, is available in the DELTA Teaching Resources article Make Your Course More Mobile-Friendly.

This first-ever iteration of the NC State-branded Moodle app was several semesters in the making and benefitted from student, instructor and staff feedback during its soft launch earlier this year. Special thanks to the DELTA Moodle Mobile team members: Christine Belledin, Saras Grandhi, Alan McCoy, Arlene Mendoza-Moran, Ethan Walgran and Jeff Webster.

Explore DELTA Resources for the NC State Moodle App

For guidance on getting started, downloading the app, and creating a more mobile-friendly course, refer to the following resources:

If you need additional assistance, contact the LearnTech Help Desk at learntech@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-7094, or via the Get Help form at the DELTA Knowledge Base.