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1. Introduction

1.1. Resource format

Commonly used learning resources contain text, images or videos. Each of this content type can have different digital formats. It is important to evaluate what formats are more accessible to learners, through Moodle and locally installed applications. The aspects related to the resource format are:

  • accessibility - is the file displayable directly in Moodle or requires an additional software? In case it requires and additional software is it commercial or open-source? Is the software popular or instructions for download and use are necessary?
  • editability and formatting- is it our purpose to "lock" the content to protect its formatting? or the file should be easy to edit and absorb learners contributions?
  • size - some formats, because they are compressed, help to reduce files size.

Text

For example, PDF format as one of a few will be easily displayable in Moodle. In addition, PDF format reassures that formatting will be preserved after the files is downloaded and open locally on learners PC. However, a PDF format cannot be easily edited and therefore it is not advisable for collaborative work that requires input from learners. 

On the other hand most of the editable formats cannot be viewed in Moodle, therefore have to be downloaded and opened locally by each learner. The exception is Google Document, on which you may see more details in another lesson of this unit: "Other tools external to Moodle". As for the text files that have to be downloaded, like MS (DOC, DOCX), or Apache OpenOffice Writer (ODT), you should evaluate assess if commercial or open-source application are more frequently used by your learners and decide accordingly. The version of the software the file is saved with is an important aspect as well.

Images and visuals

Presentation files (visuals) are often produced with the MS PowerPoint application. Nevertheless there are alternative open-source software (e.g. Open Office Impress) or application for iOS (Keynote). Due to the fact that none of the visuals format can be displayed directly in Moodle, unless with a third-party plugin, any of the format is equally good for Moodle. However, bare in mind that if you save file in the most updated version of the application, it may cause problems for the users having older versions. Secondly, some applications have a cost assigned and the others are open-source, so cost free. Lastly, in the digital environment every large file means longer time for download, especially for users with slower Internet.

Images

Moodle text editor accepts JPG, PNG and GIF (also animated GIF) formats. Thus images in this format will be displayed directly in the course page. If you have images in other formats, they need to be shared though File feature or attached in Forum post. In case the images have to be downloaded by learners and opened with another application, it is worth to think if the image format is easy to view and application to open it is popular. Otherwise you may need to write additional instructions about how to open and preview the image.

Video

Standard installed multimedia plugins may vary depending on the Moodle version. Check moodle.org for the most updated list. 

  • YouTube (displays videos hosted on youtube)
  • Vimeo (displays videos hosted on vimeo)
  • FLV - Flash video
  • F4V - Flash video
  • SWF - Macromedia Flash animation File (Adobe, Inc.)

MP4 format that is the most friendly for mobile devices so far, but It is it's difficult to get MP4 files into Moodle simply because the native Flowplayer will not play MP4. The solution could be to use a video sharing service like Vimeo first and then embed the file together with the video player. Otherwise MP4 file can be uploaded to Moodle as File to download or attached in a Forum, also for download. In this case learners will have to have a suitable player (e.g. Quicktime) to playback the video. If you have multiple video to share consider using a Folder to store them neatly. Videos are usually the largest files, and that is why for learners with slower Internet, they may be challenging to download. 

For how to play the animated gif that is often use for images loops, see Images section.

Additional links

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