MGScentral.org VLE

Here are the questions and answers to the most frequently asked questions about mgscentral.org.

1. When I forget my password how can I get a replacement
   The procedure is as follows: You need to ask your form tutor to contact the Computer Servies department and request a new password for you using the TOPDesk application. This will then be delivered to your form tutor who will then pass it on to you.
   
2. What is a VLE? The intials 'VLE' stand for Virtual Learning Environment. A Virtual Learning Environment is a website that is designed to assist the teaching and learning of students over the internet. Often called e-learning websites, VLEs offer facilities that are not normally present in static non-educational websites, in particular they offer dynamic interaction between students and teachers.
3. What is Moodle? Moodle is the most widely used free Open Souce VLE in the world. Over 15,000 websites use it to deliver course content. Moodle enables students to access a wide variety of resources, including; web pages, web links, uploaded MS Word & PowerPoint files, forums, assignments, wikis and quizzes.
4. Can I start using this website immediately? Yes.
5. Where can I learn about how to use this VLE? Both teachers and students can start by selecting the Moodle documentation link on the Main Menu. Manuals and other resources are available from the ICT Support area of this website - login and enroll on this course.
6. Can anybody login and use www.mgscentral.org? No. Only current staff and students at MGS are able to login and use this website. There can be no 'Guest' accounts of any type as the contents are only licensed to MGS staff and MGS pupils. Staff or pupils wishing to have a wider audience need to look elsewhere.
7. Can I access www.mgscentral.org from home? Yes. It can be accessed from anywhere on the internet. As some of the files are large a broadband connection in recommended. All modern browsers display this website in the the same way.
8. As a teacher I would like to start developing a Moodle course in my subject on this website. Where should I start? Firstly, logon and enrol on the ICT Support course and look at the section about Moodle. Then talk to Mr Duffy, who will be delighted to assist you.
9. Where can I find out more about Moodle and other schools that use this particular VLE? Browse to www.moodle.org - this is the main Moodle website. From here you can see a list of over 1,000 UK Moodle sites.
10. Is a record kept of what a user does when logged in www.mgscentral.org? Yes. The Moodle system automatically records all user activity. It is therefore easy to investigate who has done what, and when!
11. Why am I unable to print so many of the documents in Adobe PDF format? Because these files have been deliberately altered to disable their ability to be printed. This has been done in order to prevent students printing out large documents (some of them over a hundred A4 pages long) at the touch of a button.
12. Can I obtain a printable copy of one of the Adobe PDF files that has printing disabled? Possibly. Users should approach the member of staff responsible for the file and ask if a printable version can be provided.
13. Can I distribute the contents of MGScentral.org to other people that are neither MGS staff nor MGS pupils? No. A wide variety of copyright and licensing issues would make any such distribution illegal and immoral.