Moodle permissions allow users to control what different roles can do. This is usually set by the Moodle Administrator. However, teachers can override the defaults to create powerful learning opportunities.

There are a large number of permissions that can be adjusted here. You should be careful with many of these. However, in the right cases, these can free a teacher to empower students. For example, the permissions can allow a teacher to allow the students to rate the following activities:

  • Glossary entries
  • Forums
  • Database activities

Glossary.

Frequently, I like to allow students to rate Glossary entries. I use Glossary entries in a variety of ways (like having students find the best YouTube video that explains a specific learning objective). This way, the students are doing to vetting for me.

By default, only teachers, non-editing teachers and those with higher permissions can rate Glossary entries. However, each teacher can change this by Course level (if you are sure that you always want students to rate Glossary entries) or by activity level (if you just want students to rate entries on one Glossary.

Course Level Permission Change

  • Go to the Participants panel
  • Click on the Gear in the top right corner. Then select “Permissions”.
  • Search for “Glossary”
  • After the ratings section, click the + in the “Roles with Permission” column.
  • Select “Student” (or whatever term you use for “student”)

*There is no need to save the selection.

Activity Level Permission Change

Very similar to the process above. Make sure that you are in the activity that you want to change the permissions on. Then click on the Gear at the end of the name of the Activity.

Follow the same path as above (starting at “select “Permissions”.)