The Add file or website feature allows you to place links to outside websites within any content areas of a Moodle course site. Students click on the link and are taken directly to the linked website. As many students do not yet have experience using the Internet for research purposes, this feature allows you to provide them a list of approved reference sites. Adding URLs can also be used to provide online "field trips" where you send your students to a particular business or organization to look around or participate in online activities.

Adding a URL to your course page :

1) Turn editing on and look for the "Add files..." drop down in the course section (week or topic) where you would like the file to appear.

2) From the "Add files...", choose the "Add file or website" option. This will open a form with a place to enter a Name, an optional Summary, and a place to paste or type a website's URL.

3) When you have added the Name and URL, click the "Save changes" button.

There are screenshots and more information for this process in the Faculty Guide.

Directly into text :

You can easily add links into any text that you enter in Moodle's HTML editor. Note: Follow these procdures only when in an area that contains a word editor directly in the page.

1. Select the text you wish you be linked to a website.
2. Click on the Insert Web Link icon.
3. Type the complete address for the website in the URL field.
4. Use the pull down tab labeled Target to choose if you wish the URL to be opened up in the same page or a new page.
5. Click OK when done.

More Information

Q: Why would I want the URL to open in a new window?

A: There are two main reasons you might want the web site to open in a new window; copyright concerns and ease of navigation. Opening a website within the framework of another is called framing and is frowned upon by copyright scholars. Many sites do not mind being framed. Educational institutions usually have more leeway than commercial organizations, but asking permission first is always a good idea. To be safe, choose to open the site in a new window.

Opening a website in a new window also allows users to more easily move back and forth between sites without losing their place. Another consideration is personal preference: some people like having multiple windows open on their desktop while others do not.

Q: What would be the benefit of including links in the content areas instead of listing them all together in one section?

A: The ability to add links anywhere in your course site allows you to create learning modules or simply connect pieces of course material. For example, you could have your students read an article about a certain company or organization, then have students visit the company's website to gather additional information.

Q: Can I still list a bunch of links in one session, directly onto my Moodle course page?

A: Yes! The easiest way to do this is to choose the "Compose web page" option from the Add files drop down menu discussed above. Then you can paste URLs into the form, and save changes.