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Student Moodle FAQs (PDF Version)

  1. How do I access my courses on Moodle?
  2. What if I can’t log into Moodle?
  3. What can I do when I get a reminder that my password will expire soon?
  4. What if I don’t know how to work within the Moodle environment?
  5. Where can I access Moodle Help Document?
  6. Are there restrictions on when and where I can access my course content on Moodle?
  7. My course is not showing up on the My Courses page on Moodle. What should I do?
  8. When I log into Moodle all my past courses are no longer listed, what happened?
  9. Could I use any web browser to access Moodle?
  10. Where do I find the class syllabus?
  11. I have a specific question about the course and have contacted instructor but I haven't heard back. What should I do?
  12. My instructor uploaded PowerPoint slides to my course, why I AM having problems viewing them?
  13. When I click on the link to view a PDF file, it just hangs and doesn't download the file.
  14. I tried to upload a file, but it didn't work. What went wrong?
  15. I posted a Word.docx file to Moodle as an assignment but my instructor can’t open it.
  16. I don’t want every discussion forum posting emailed to my Lasell email account. What can I do to stop it?
  17. What kind of media files are supported by Moodle?
  18. I have read through all of the Frequently Asked Questions and cannot find the answer to my question. Where can I get help?
  19. I am using Firefox and cannot copy and paste text using the right click button on my mouse. How can I copy and paste text inside of Moodle?
  20. What is the best way to copy content from Microsoft Word to Moodle?

1. Q: How do I access my courses on Moodle?
A: Access to the Moodle logon page can be accomplished in one of three ways:

  • Go to my.lasell.edu, and click the Moodle link on the right
  • Go directly to moodle.lasell.edu

In the top left corner of the Lasell College Moodle home page, you will find a Main Menu section which contains a link to the Student User Guide.

Remember these two easy steps:

  1. Log into Moodle using your Lasell User ID and password.
  2. Move your mouse over the “My Courses” tab in the top right corner of the screen and click on a course name.

2. Q: What if I can’t log into Moodle?

A: Moodle uses the same authentication as the does Lasell Network. If you can’t log into Moodle and MyLasell, you need to contact the IT Technology Help Desk about your Lasell account and password.

IT Help Desk Contact Info:

Email: helpdesk@lasell.edu
Phone: x2200 or 617-243-2200


3. Q:
What can I do when I get a reminder that my password will expire soon?
A: There is only one network authentication system at Lasell, which takes care of email system, myLasell, self-service, and Lasell Moodle.

Every password will be expired in 180 days. Before the expiration, you have to go to our password management system to reset the password. You cannot reset your password from within Moodle.

Your Lasell password was auto-generated by our system and sent to the email address you provided on your application.

  • Log in to MyLasell using your Lasell User ID and password
  • Click on Change Password under Quick Links (lower right section)
  • Click on Reset Password
  • Enter your User ID and click Continue
  • Answer the two security questions (International Students do not have SS#s and must contact gstanley@lasell.edu or lcappiello@lasell.edu to receive the 4 digits that you will enter as the last 4 digit of a SS#)
  • Enter and confirm your new password then click reset password
  • You may change your password at any time at https://password.lasell.edu.

4. Q: What if I don’t know how to work within the Moodle environment?

A: The IT Help Desk provides drop-in help services for students:

• When: Monday - Thursday 8am - 9pm, Friday 8:00am - 5pm
• Where: Brennan Library Lower Level 107-E
• Call 617 243-2200  or email helpdesk@lasell.edu

5. Q: Where can I access Moodle Help Document?

A: Go to http://moodle.lasell.edu and click the Moodle Student Guide link to find login instructions and user guides offered as videos and text.


6. Q: Are there restrictions on when and where I can access my course content on Moodle?

A: You can access your course content on Moodle anytime and at anywhere if you have Internet connection.

7. Q: My course is not showing up on the My Courses page on Moodle. What should I do?

A: Please check the Self-Service account if you have a HOLD on your account. If so, contact the approperiate office to remove the HOLD; otherwise, please contact your instructor to make the course available to students.

8. Q: When I log into Moodle all my past courses are no longer listed, what happened?

A: At the end of each semester, the courses will be archived after four weeks of the Final Week. Students will not have access to previous semester's courses. If you would like to see course contents for past semesters, please contact your instructor of the course.

9. Q: Could I use any web browser to access Moodle?

A: Even though you may access Moodle via any browser, it is recommended that you choose a browser that supports Moodle's integrated HTML editor. This is a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor with an interface similar to you would see in most word processing applications, which can help you to format your text.

This in-line HTML editor will only appear if you use Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Netscape. If you do not use one of these browser types, you can still use Moodle just fine, but without the luxury of a WYSIWYG editor.

As a result, we highly recommend to use up-to-date Firefox or Internet Explorer on Windows operating system, and to use Firefox on Mac system.

10. Q: Where do I find the class syllabus?

A: If your instructor has posted the syllabus, look for the Syllabus link on the course introduction section, which is located at the top of your course.

11. Q: I have a specific question about the course and have contacted instructor but I haven't heard back. What should I do?

A: Please contact the chair of the department.

12.Q: My instructor uploaded PowerPoint slides to my course, why I AM having problems viewing them?

A: There might be a few possible issues. Here are the fixes:

  1. Use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer as your browser. This will fix the problem. Here is a link to the free download (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ie.html).
  2. If you are using Internet Explorer to view the course page, when you click on the Power Point link, instead of selecting "open" file, choose "save." The file will download to your computer and then you should be able to open it.
  3. If you are using Internet Explorer to view the course page and when you click on PPT, a blank page opens up, you need to add http://moodle.lasell.edu to your Internet Explorer's trusted sites. Click here to see how to do that.
  4. If you don't have PowerPoint on the computer that you are using to view the files, you won't be able to view PowerPoint slides unless you have a PPT Viewer. You can download a free PowerPoint Viewer from the Microsoft website (http://www.microsoft.com).

13. Q: When I click on the link to view a PDF file, it just hangs and doesn't download the file.

A: You may need to update the version of Adobe Reader on your PC. Especially, if you are using the latest Firefox browser, version 3.0, you will need to the most current version of Adobe Reader. Go to Adobe Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader/) and download the latest version. Once the install is complete, try clicking on the file link again in Moodle and the document should open immediately.

14. Q: I tried to upload a file, but it didn't work. What went wrong?

A: Uploading a file is generally very simple. If it didn't work, check the name of the file. It shouldn't have any punctuation in it: no commas, apostrophes, etc. Remove all punctuation by renaming the file and then try the upload again.

15. Q: I posted a Word.docx file to Moodle as an assignment but my instructor can’t open it.

A: This is a compatibility issue. Microsoft Office 2007 files have an extra x on the end of the extension, so a Word.doc will look like Word.docx if you are using Word 2007. Your instructor may have older Word versions and, therefore, will not be able to open these files. To fix the issue, you can re-save your document as an older version. For example in Word, go to save as and select save as a "Word 97-2003 Document".doc file.

16. Q: I don’t want every discussion forum posting emailed to my Lasell email account. What can I do to stop it?

A: Every forum postings goes to your email box because your instructor chose “Force everyone to be subscribed” the forum posting. You need to ask your instructor to adjust the forum settings.

17. Q: What kind of media files are supported by Moodle?

A: The following media files can be viewed within Moodle.

  • Graphics: GIF and JPEG
  • Video: .swf, .mov, .wmv, .mpg, .avi, .flv, .ram, .rpm, .rm
  • Audio: .mp3, .aac, .wma, .ra

Note: students will need the appropriate software and plug-ins to view the media files.

18. Q: I have read through all of the Frequently Asked Questions and cannot find the answer to my question. Where can I get help?

A: The IT Help Desk provides drop-in help service and appointment services for students:

  • When: Monday - Thursday 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am - 5pm
  • Where: Brennan LIbrary Ground Floor 107-E
  • Call 617 243-2200 or email helpdesk@Lasell.edu

19. Q: I am using Firefox and cannot copy and paste text using the right click button on my mouse. How can I copy and paste text inside of Moodle?

A: To copy and paste text inside of Moodle, place your cursor in front of your text and higlight the text. Then press Ctrl + C on the keyboard to copy the text.  Click your cursor in the place you want to paste your text. To paste your text press Ctrl + V.

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20. Q: What is the best way to copy content from Microsoft Word to Moodle?

A: No matter where you want to paste- labels, weekly summaries, or resource / activity descriptions, you can use the "Paste from Word" icon in the HTML editor. It will remove all unnessary fomrating code from Microsoft Word.   Back to Top

Last modified: Monday, November 12, 2012, 1:55 PM