Topics site format in Moodle

Topics is a site format available at UOW that provides a list of sections that can be expanded and collapsed on the site page. This provides greater control over how much content is shown on the screen at any one time, and can also help reduce the amount of scrolling required to navigate the site.

In the UOW Subject Site Template, sections are separated broadly into Subject Information, Assessment Information, and then modules/weeks/topics. All the activities and resources included in the template are contained within the relevant, logically named section.

Why?

To assist with navigation and improve student access to content, the Topics site format features:

• The ability to organise sections in a vertical, logical structure
• Collapsible sections to control the amount of information shown on screen
• All sections can be displayed to users at any given time, allowing for students to see their progression
• Highlighting of a key section to draw student focus. 

How?

Topics is the default site format in the Learning Platform. If your site is not in topics format, follow the steps below to change.

Setting up the Topics format

1. From the Site Settings menu, select Settings.
   
2. Expand the Site format section and select Topics format from the Format The page will reload.
   
3. Retain the default settings, unless you have specific requirements determined in the other settings.
4. Click the Save and display button.

Adding and organising content

For guidance on adding and moving activities/resources in your Moodle site, visit the Adding and organising content collection and the Moving activities and resources article.

Highlighting a section

To highlight a section:

1. Ensure Edit mode is on.
   
2. From the section you want to highlight, click the Section action menu.
3. Click Highlight section. 
   

The selected section will now display with a highlight box and section badge stating Highlighted.