Embedding my Reading List into the LMS

This document is to be used by Education Services to assist training of Academic staff to embed and manage Reading Lists in their LMS (Moodle) subjects. 

This video demonstrates how to embed a Reading List into LMS subject pages.

We recommend you link to your Reading List in the LMS in the following ways:

• Create a link to the Talis reading list within the LMS. The current location for this is in the 'Start here' option in your LMS, under the heading 'Readings'. We recommend contacting your Senior Learning Librarian to ensure your prescribed readings are available online. 

• Embed the list as a whole into a logical part of the LMS and/or embed sections of your reading list into different modules at the point of need (see below for the process).

• You can link to an individual resource within your main text. This is especially useful if you are wanting to provide context within a Moodle Book, Page or Text Box. However, it is important to note that if you remove a resource from your reading list, that the link to the resource needs to be removed from within the subject content as well.

• We recommend linking your reading list to the Subject Hierarchy within Talis, as this ensures the reading list remains linked to the subject over different teaching periods.

1. From your LMS Subject home page, turn Edit mode on using the button located in the top right corner to enable editing in your subject.
2. Navigate to the section to which you would like to add a reading list. It is recommended the complete list be embedded within the 'Start here' section in the new LMS template, or the most relevant area in your LMS for students to access easily. Sections of reading lists may also be embedded within the learning sections of the LMS.
3. Select + Add an activity or resource. 
4. Select Embed Reading List. 
5. The activity name field can be left blank as it will be filled in to reflect the section or reading list name once it is selected. 
6. Click 'Select content'.
7. Search for the required reading list (easiest is by your subject code).
8. Select the relevant section or list. (If prompted, authenticate to Talis by following the on-screen prompts).
9. To add an (optional) description choose 'Show more' and enter instructions or information for the students in this field. If you choose to add instructions or information in the description page, choose either 'Display description on subject page' OR Display activity description when launched' for the description to be seen. 
10. Adjust other settings as required.
11. Click 'Save and return to subject' OR 'Save and display' to view the embedded section or list.
12.  Move the resource to your preferred location within the section. 

You can link to an individual resource within your main text. This is especially useful if you are wanting to provide context within a Moodle Book, Page or Text Box.

Open the Reading list for your subject and find the record for the resource that you wish to use. On the right hand side will be the ellipses – click on them and choose Share item.

This gives you a link with the option to copy it.

Once you have copied, you can use the URL in the LMS when you add a hyperlink.

IMPORTANT: If you remove a resource from the Reading List, remember to remove the embedded individual resource link from the subject content as well.

Note:  If the whole list is embedded it can be edited within Moodle (but not if it’s just a section of a list) allowing for direct list management. Some editing functions can be edited within Moodle but sometimes you may be taken to the Talis interface via a new tab to make the required amendments. When this occurs and you have saved your work simply go back to your LMS tab and refresh the page. Your amendments should then be displayed. For more detailed information on editing lists please refer to 'Editing my Reading List'.