1. 1
Integrating Strathmore University Library
resources into Moodle e-learning
environment
A project report submitted for the lib@web 2015
by
Raymond Chepkwony
Strathmore University, Kenya
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am thankful to Prof. Dr. De Smet Egbert, Universiteit Antwerp and course coordinator of
Lib@Web International Training Program 2015 for his quick assistance in the project work. I
would also like to thank all the Professors who were very dedicated and hardworking in making
sure that we get the best out of the training. Much appreciated. I would also like to thank Mieke, the
Coordinator of the training who made our stay comfortable, thanks so much.
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Statement of the Problem
Decline in the use of library resources (databases) has been a major concern for librarians.
According to research by Project Information Literacy (PIL), there is a serious decline in the use of
library resources and students instead use social networking tools like Facebook, access their emails
more and use e-learning environments like Moodle, canvas or blackboard. The library catalogs
come distant after Google, YouTube, Wikipedia and other sites.
Methodology
The researcher being familiar with the basics of moodle software, he needed to study more and
research more about the software especially in integrating library resources into e-learning. Since
most libraries have not embrace this concept it was an opportunity for the researcher to explore the
possibilities of embedding library resources into e-learning environment.
This project mainly wants to:
provide improved access to library resources from within the moodle course.
To improve students` information literacy skills
to provide specific resources for a specific course Module
to script codes for integrating library resources into Moodle courses i.e. HTML codes and
widget codes
About the Project
Installation of the Moodle LMS in a Linux environment
Configurations and settings
integrating databases, library services into a course module through HTML blocks, widgets,
library catalogue (search within moodle), library databases and library guides.
Software Requirements
An operating system. Anything that runs the following software; although the choice will
most likely depend on the performance you need and the skills you have available. Linux
and Windows are the most common choices. Linux is generally regarded to be the optimal
platform.
Web server. Primarily Apache or IIS
PHP
A database. MySQL and PostgreSQL are the primary development database, the most
comprehensively tested and have extensive documentation and support.About Moodle
software
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Moodle is a free, online Learning Management system enabling educators to create their own
private website filled with dynamic courses that extend learning, anytime, anywhere.
Integrating approaches
a) Using a link to library resources from a university-level sticky
block template
b) Using embed feature
-dynamic JavaScript widget
-static HTML code
c) Using permanent URLs to link to resources
Fig 1. Installing Moodle on Ubuntu 14
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Admin Login settings
After successful installation, you can access moodle by typing localhost/moodle or
127.0.0.1/moodle in any supported browser. Login in with the administrator.
Fig 2. Creating a course
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Fig 3. Moodle Courses
Creating a Library Block within the course
Library blocks help ensure that students have quick, easy access to important information about the
library, including links to our website and contact information for librarians. Because you create the
library block from scratch, you're free to customize it with whatever information is most suitable for
your students' needs.
To create a Library block in Moodle
1.) Turn editing on, and go to Add a Block (this option appears at the bottom of the right sidebar
as the default)
2.) Select HTML from the dropdown menu
3.) Select "Configure (new HTML block) block" from the list of actions to begin adding content
to your library block.
4) On the next page, type in “Library Links” into the Block Title text box and click the Toggle
HTML Source Code icon and paste the following code
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Embed library catalog Search Widget
To create a Library catalog search engine in Moodle
1.) Turn editing on, and go to Add a Block (this option appears at the bottom of the right sidebar
as the default)
2.) Select HTML from the dropdown menu
3.) Select "Configure (new HTML block) block" from the list of actions to begin adding content
to your library block.
4) On the next page, type in “Library Catalog” into the Block Title text box and click the Toggle
HTML Source Code icon and paste the following code.
Code for the deep linking search in Koha catalogue
<br><div id="bd">
<div id="opac-main-search" class="yui-g" style="width:100%;">
<h1 id="Strathmore Library" style="background-image:
url(http://www.library.strathmore.edu/logo.png);height:20px;margin-left:4px;">
<a href="/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl" target="_blank" style="display:none;">Strathmore
Library</a></h1>
<div id="fluid">
<div id="fluid-offset">
<form name="searchform" method="get" action="https://opac.library.strathmore.edu//cgi-
bin/koha/opac-search.pl" id="searchform" target="_blank">
<label for="masthead_search" class="left">Search</label>
<select name="idx" id="masthead_search">
<option value="">Library Catalog</option>
<option value="ti">Title</option>
<option value="au">Author</option>
<option value="su">Subject</option>
<option value="nb">ISBN</option>
<option value="se">Series</option>
<option value="callnum">Call Number</option>
</select>
<input id="transl1" name="q" type="text">
<input value="Search" id="searchsubmit" type="submit">
</form>
<div id="moresearches">
<a href="https://opac.library.strathmore.edu//cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl">Advanced
search</a>
<span class="pipe"> | </span>
<a href="https://opac.library.strathmore.edu//cgi-bin/koha/opac-authorities-
home.pl">Browse by author or subject</a>
</div></div></div></div></div>
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Fig 6. Library catalog block
Google custom search
To create a Library catalog search engine in Moodle
1.) Turn editing on, and go to Add a Block (this option appears at the bottom of the right sidebar
as the default)
2.) Select HTML from the dropdown menu
3.) Select "Configure (new HTML block) block" from the list of actions to begin adding content
to your library block.
4) On the next page, type in “Custom search” into the Block Title text box and click the
Toggle HTML Source Code icon and paste the following code
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Code for custom search
<script>
(function() {
var cx = '004943028205502239300:ocu6yqob3lg';
var gcse = document.createElement('script');
gcse.type = 'text/javascript';
gcse.async = true;
gcse.src = (document.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https:' : 'http:') +
'//cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx;
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s);
})();
</script>
<gcse:searchbox-only></gcse:searchbox-only>
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Fig 7. Google Custom search configuration
Fig 8. Google custom search configuration in moodle
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Creating library resources links
Turn editing on
Click on add a resource drop down menu
Choose URL
Give name and description of the URL
Fig 9. Adding URL in Moodle
Adding plug-ins in moodle
One of the advantages of moodle e-learning software is the ability to integrate powerful external
tools such as plug-ins which are used within the course in moodle. Such tools include plagiarism
software, video conferencing tool such as BigBlueButton.
BigBlueButton in Moodle
BigBlueButton is a video conferencing plug-in in moodle which students and their teachers can
easily communicate via video, chat or voice. BigBlueButton can be installed into moodle using the
plug-ins option.
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Conclusion
Bringing information resources closer to the user using learning management systems such as
moodle is important as there will be maximum use of these resources. However, there must be a
collaboration between the course administrators, IT personnel and librarians. Without these
collaborations chances that use of library resources will be minimal. It’s also important to seek
management support as they are the decision makers who may provide funding to the whole project.
Librarians also must be prepared to provide point-of-need service and facilitate students’
information needs.
