Studying online

Find key course information in Moodle

Moodle is the virtual learning environment (VLE) at UAL. This will be the main ‘home’ for your course online.

Visit Moodle regularly for important information about your course, to submit assessments and take part in online activities such as forums and webinars (online seminars and lectures).

• Log in to Moodle.
• Create your Moodle profile (PDF 216KB) and update accessibility settings (PDF 140KB).
• Learn how to participate in a Moodle forum (PDF 196KB)

Join an online class in Collaborate Ultra

Collaborate Ultra is the platform your course will be using for ‘live’ online activities such as lectures and seminars.

You'll be able to find links to join these sessions in Moodle.

• Having trouble joining a session? Try this Collaborate Ultra troubleshooting checklist (PDF 353KB).
• Use this guide to presenting in Collaborate Ultra (PDF 227KB) to help your your talk go smoothly.
• Links to any session recordings will be posted in Moodle.
• Your tutors may also pre-record videos and post links in Moodle. Learn about Panopto viewer, including how to make private study notes on videos.

Meet in groups using Teams

Your tutors may set up video-calls and chat for smaller groups or tutorials using Microsoft Teams. Download Office365 for Desktop or Mobile.

• Watch UAL videos about how to create and join meetings using Teams
• Read a UAL Teams Quickstart Guide (PDF 772KB) about how to create, join and leave a meeting
• Watch a Microsoft video about how to share files in Teams

Share ideas online using Padlet

Use Padlet alone or in groups as an online pinboard for your scrapbook, portfolio, noticeboard, mind map, blog or discussion forum.

• Get started with Padlet (PDF 263KB)

Share your creative work online using Myblog and Workflow

Your course may also use other UAL tools, - your course teams will let you know.

• You can quickly and easily create a blog for your yourself or your coursework using myblog.arts.ac.uk.
• workflow.arts.ac.uk is an e-portfolio tool, allowing you to collect and curate images, video and other media to showcase your creative work. Watch our Workflow how-to videos (you'll need to log in with your UAL username and password).

Need Help?

If you have problems with your UAL login, password or Office 365 (email, Teams) please contact IT Support. Raise a ticket on MySupport, or contact the team on +44 (0)20 7514 9898 with urgent enquiries.

For questions about Moodle or Collaborate Ultra please speak to your course team.

Moodle Assignment and Turnitin are very similar, but allow different file types and sizes. Check your assignment brief for details.

Turnitin

This video from London College of Fashion shows the UAL Turnitin submission process, or you can read how to submit to Turnitin (PDF 222KB).

You can also use Turnitin to support your writing (PDF 407KB).

Moodle Assignment

Read our blog post on how to submit to Moodle Assignment.

• How to submit your video to Moodle Assignment
• How to submit images to Moodle Assignment
• How to submit a paper anonymously

Don't leave submission to the last minute.  Allow enough time so that you can fix error messages or internet connection problems without missing your deadline.

Use these tools to get ready to submit

• Learn how to combine pages in a PDF
• Find out how to add audio to your presentation:
  • Watch a Microsoft video on creating a narrated Powerpoint
  • Watch an Apple video on creating a narrated Keynote
• Learn how to reduce your video files to below the 100MB limit: 
  • Watch a video on how to use Adobe Media Encoder, or read instructions about using Adobe Media Encoder (PDF 212KB)
  • Watch a video about how to use HandBrake or download a guide to using HandBrake (PDF 612KB)

Creating positive online spaces

Creating, sharing and using content online

Read about creating, sharing and using content online (PDF 363KB) to help you make informed decisions when using your own or other people’s content in online spaces.

Protecting your data

Your courses will be taught using approved University tools, including Moodle, Collaborate and Microsoft Teams. The University has a legal responsibility to protect your personal data which is one of the reasons we use selected online tools for teaching.

Your course teams may also ask you to use other (non-UAL) digital tools but you will not have to share any personal data.

Independently you are free to use any digital tool to support your studies but you should take care when sharing personal data online.

Remember live Collaborate Ultra or Teams sessions may be recorded (you can turn off your camera/microphone). Comments in chat boxes are visible to everyone and you may not see the whole list of participants unless it is fully expanded.

If you have questions please ask your course team.

Academic Support

Access all your study support in one place via Academic Support Online

• Book online personal tutorials and wider UAL workshops with specialist tutors
• Join activities to meet and collaborate with students from your College and across UAL.
• Explore online materials to improve your research, writing and study skills, such as introduction to team-working and collaboration online
• Support is available for all levels of study, from Foundation to PhD.

Use your UAL login to find your tutorial notes, browse upcoming workshops and book sessions in one place.

Using online library services

Find out more about library services and book a study space online.

All courses have a dedicated librarian to support them. They can help you find resources for your research and also support you with referencing. Ask your Academic Support Librarian a question by email or arrange a video chat.

• Watch a video on finding e-Resources using the Databases A-Z List
• Watch a video on accessing e-books
• Find other online resources related to your course using the online subject guides
• Search and watch other UAL library tutorial videos
• Got a question for the library? Use our Library Ask service or email one of our Academic Support Librarians

Language Support

If you speak English as an additional language you can get English language development support for your main course. Choose from tailored classes, individual tutorials, and speaking and writing workshops to help you directly with your studies.

• Find out more about English classes, tutorials, and self-access resources.

The team also offer classes in other modern languages and intercultural training online.