FAQ and Other Tips and Tricks
This page is home to our FAQ, where you can find information on all sorts of things, from useful info about using Moodle and Google Docs to how to give someone access to course materials. If you have any questions you would like to see us add answers to, please email us.
Since we have many questions answered here, we recommend that you either search by entering a keyword or by choosing a category in the blue box below instead of browsing the entire set. For ease of use, we have links to broad categories below, but if you are looking for something that does not fit these categories, more are available in the drop-down menu in the blue box. You may choose to add a focus (second category) to narrow your search.
- How do I choose a survey tool?There are many options for surveying people for opinions or attitudes. Choosing among them depends...
- My Zimbra calendar started showing double events for my courses when I imported or restored an old Moodle course into a current one. How do I fix this, and can I prevent it from happening in the future?Unfortunately, Moodle doesn’t let you choose whether or not you import or restore events when...
- How can I sort by columns in Google spreadsheets?Sorting by columns in spreadsheets is easy. First, find the bar which separates frozen rows...
- Can I access and use Google Docs on my mobile phone?Google Docs has some capabilities on mobile phones with web browsers. Direct your phone's browser...
- Why can't I do something in some types of Google Docs but not in others?Despite the fact that the Google Docs are connected, many things are subtly different among...
- How do I change the margins, page size, or page orientation of a document in Google Docs?To change the margin size, the page size, or the orientation for printing purposes, go...
- How do I freeze rows or columns in a Google spreadsheet? What effect does freezing a row or column have?By default, spreadsheets have one frozen row and no frozen columns (frozen means that the...
- How do I copy a file in Google Docs?You can make copies of files, for instance if you want an easy to find...
- Why do things occasionally change or appear in Google Docs?Google is always working to improve the capabilities of Google Docs - if you see...
- If I have a form, can I get automatically generated feedback about responses?Yes, forms automatically generate summaries of the data entered, including visuals such as pie charts...
- How can I organize my main Google Docs page efficiently?Use folders to organize your files into related groups. To add a folder, click New in...
- Can I change the background color of a document in Google Docs?In addition to changing the background text color (by clicking on the highlighter icon in...
- How can I change the line spacing in Google Docs?Google Docs has somewhat limited line spacing flexibility. You can change between single-spaced, 1.5-spaced, double-spaced,...
- How do I change the font in Google Docs? Can I change the default font?The font can be changed with the drop-down menu in the toolbar. Because Google Docs...
- How do I use speaker notes in Google Docs presentations?To add or view speaker notes in presentations, click the small face icon on the...
- How do I check my spelling if I'm writing in a foreign language in Google Docs?The default language for spell-checking is "auto", which means that Google guesses based on what's...
- How do I check my spelling in Google Docs? Can I see a list of suggested spellings?Spell-checking works slightly differently from Microsoft Office and other programs. Click the Spelling icon (ABC...
- How do I know if someone else is editing a shared spreadsheet in Google Docs? Can I tell what changes somebody else has made?If you are sharing a spreadsheet with someone and both of you are editing, you...
- What types of questions can I have in a form in Google Docs? How do they work and what distinguishes multiple choice from checkboxes?There are six types of questions on forms. Text: Provides a small text box for a...
- How do I rename a Google Docs file?From within the file, simply click on the name to rename it. From the Docs Home...
- How do I change whether someone can edit or view a shared file in Google Docs?If you are sharing a document and want to change what someone is allowed to...
- What is Revision history in Google Docs? How can it help me go back to previous versions or compare two different versions?If you make a significant change you don't like, Google's auto-save prevents you from just...
- How do I know if someone else is editing a shared document in Google Docs? Can I tell what changes somebody else has made?If you have shared a document with someone and given them editing access, you will...
- How do I share a file in Google Docs? How do I know whether a file is shared or not?To share a file, click the Share button above the blue menu bar and choose...
- How do I link to a webpage from Google Docs? Can I also link to email addresses, other documents, or bookmarks in the same file?In a document, you can link to webpages, email addresses, other documents, and bookmarks in...
- How do I download a file from Google Docs to my computer? What file formats are available?You can download any file you have created by going to File (in the Google...
- What's this I've heard about not using the back button in a web browser?Many web applications, including Google Docs, fail to work properly if you use the back...
- What do I do if the file I want to upload to Moodle is too big?If your file is too large, you can put it in the webpub folder of...
- How do I submit my final grades at the end of the term? Can I just put them into Moodle?At this point, we do not have information from Moodle automatically providing official grade infromation. ...
- Can I borrow a laptop if I’m going to be traveling or presenting?Yes! We have Mac and PC laptops for faculty and staff, though not for students. ...
- How can I have students give presentations on the computer without logging out for every student?The easiest way to get to the students' information is to do something called unmounting...
- Where should readings be stored if I still can’t decide on which system to use?Talk with your liaison librarian or Academic Technologist! We’re happy to work with you to...
- Where should readings be stored if I will be using the readings again in future classes?eReserves: Although you are able to access archived Moodle course sites, the Library archives past...
- Where should readings be stored if my course materials are freely available on the web?Moodle or eReserves: Links to free content on the web are uncomplicated and can be...
- Where should readings be stored if I want my articles to be organized differently than I have organized my Moodle course site?eReserves: Because Moodle courses are organized either by week or by topic, your course readings...
- Where should readings be stored if I have discovered an article at the last minute that I want to use in class and do not have time to bring it to the library?Moodle: Due to the volume of material placed on reserve, the Library cannot offer same...
- Where should readings be stored if I have a large number of articles in any format that need to be distributed to my class quantitieseReserves: The Library is equipped to quickly and efficiently put articles on eReserves, and will...
- Where should readings be stored if I have the paper version of the article that will need to be scanned before it can be put online?eReserves: The Library has the most efficient document scanners and experience making pdfs from paper...
- How do I request a computer lab for class time?If you are trying to reserve one of the CMC first floor labs, you will...
- How do I get help with the presentation equipment in the classrooms?If you are having trouble with the touch screens or getting visual and audio components...
- How do I get help analyzing software and figuring out what is best for my needs?Your Academic Technologist is the best source for this kind of consulting, and we are...
- How do I get help with class projects?Both the Academic Technologists and the Library Liaisons are great resources for class projects, as...
- How do I get help with a broken computer?The most efficient way to get help with a broken computer (one that won't start,...
- Where can I find links to all my course related webpages?There is actually a handy webpage that keeps all the links for your course items...
- How do I spell-check in Word 2007?Click on Review in the Ribbon (the toolbar at the top of the page). Click on...
- I've upgraded to Microsoft Office 2007. Now, where did all the menus go?The layout of Office 2007 is drastically different from any of the previous Office versions;...
- Why are we being asked to upgrade to Office 2007 or 2008, anyway?Microsoft decided to introduce a set of new file formats, called the "Office Open XML...
- How can I add or remove students from Moodle or my Courses folder?When a student adds or drops a course, the Registrar's Office will automatically update the...
- How do I know if I’m using the Advanced or Standard versions of Zimbra?In the upper right corner of the Zimbra program, there is a link that either...
- Why is there a lego AT-AT on the main Academic Technologies website?Good question. That's because the Academic Technologists aren't serious all the time, find Star Wars...
- How can I get students trained in a program for an assignment I want them to do?To get students trained in a program for an assignment, or set of assignments, contact...
- Is there an easy way to send a message to my class?There certainly is! All classes are given a course mailing list when they are created. ...
- Where can I find help information for the new printer/copiers?Information and documentation about multi-function printers can be found on the ITS website here. If...
- I can't understand some of the terminology used in Moodle. Why does Moodle word things strangely sometimes?It isn't just you! Moodle is created by New Zealanders, and even though they are...
- Is anyone podcasting on campus?Yes. Although there are fewer professors at Carleton using podcasts for their classes than at...
- How do I get an RSS or Atom feed to send me emails to Zimbra when new content is added to a site?In Zimbra, click "New Folder" in the left-hand column. Give the folder a name and check...
- What tools are available if I want to podcast or vodcast?Once you have recorded your sound or video (if you need equipment for recording, ask...
- How do I upload files in Moodle? I think I'm missing the last step.In the desired resource or activity page, click "Choose or upload a file ..." At the...
- What are podcasts?Podcasts are digital audio or video files that are available online for people to download...
- What are vodcasts or videocasts?Vodcasts (also called vidcasts, videocasts, and video podcasts) are digital video files available online for...
- What is Zimbra?Zimbra is open software for messaging and collaboration - email, group calendaring, contacts, and web...
- What is OIV?OIV is short for Offline Image Viewer, and is a presentation tool created by ArtStor. ...
- What is ARTstor?ARTstor is a digital library of approximately 700,000 images in the areas of art, architecture,...
- Can I use other programs to check my email, or do I have to use the web?Yes! It is possible to use other software, such as Microsoft Outlook and AppleMail, to...
- How do I get a class photo roster?If you log in to the The Hub, and go to the Faculty section, there...
- What is Moodle? Why do I hear about it all over the place?Moodle is a course management system, which means it is a place to put interactive...
- What are network drives? What are they used for?The network drives at Carleton allow common storage of files on the network, for access...
- What are eReserves? How do I use them?eReserves are an online counterpart to the traditional Library Reserves system. eReserve copies are scanned...
- Who is available to support me, and for what types of work?For classroom technology (both equipment and support), contact PEPS. Equipment checkout, 507-222-7070, Laird 14 Presentation assistance line,...
- What is a library liaison?Each department has its own liaison librarian who specializes in the research methodologies and sources...
- Where can I send my students if they need help?The Academic Support Center provides assistance through the Carleton Writing Center, individual ESL tutoring, the...
- What other organizations are members of the Internet2 community?A list of member organizations is available at the Internet2 site....
- What types of work are taking place through Internet2?There is a broad array of work currently being done through Internet2. Types of work...
- What does Internet2 have to do with Carleton?In the Fall of 2005, Carleton connected to Internet2. Computing equipment on campus takes advantage...
- What is Internet2?Internet2 is a fast, high-capacity internet for which tools are being developed to exploit this...
