Learning Objectives
Welcome to the CUEA eLearning Lecturer Training Guide. This comprehensive training follows a hands-on practice format to ensure you can effectively use our learning management system. By the end of this training, you will be able to:
Access & Navigate
Log into the platform and navigate efficiently through the lecturer dashboard and course interfaces.
Manage Content
Upload and organize course materials effectively, including documents, videos, and interactive resources.
Create Assessments
Design assignments, quizzes, and rubrics that effectively measure student learning outcomes.
Student Interaction
Use forums, messaging, and feedback tools to engage with students and foster collaborative learning.
Track Progress
Monitor student engagement and performance using analytics and reporting tools.
Apply Best Practices
Implement effective online teaching strategies and pedagogical approaches for digital learning environments.
Ready to Begin Your Training?
Access the CUEA eLearning portal directly with one click to start practicing what you learn.
Go to Training PortalGetting Started
Begin your journey with the CUEA eLearning platform by following these essential steps for login and role verification.
Access the Portal
Navigate to https://elearning.cuea.edu and bookmark this URL for easy access. Use Chrome or Firefox for optimal performance.
Login with Credentials
Use your CUEA staff ID or assigned username with your default or custom password. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgotten your username or password?" link.
Verify Your Role
Click your profile icon (top-right corner) and confirm your role shows "Teacher" or "Lecturer." If incorrect, contact ODeL support immediately.
| Browser | Recommended Version | Key Features for Lecturers |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Latest Version | Best for grading, inline feedback, and file uploads |
| Mozilla Firefox | Latest Version | Excellent for accessibility features and privacy |
| Microsoft Edge | Latest Version | Built-in security, resource efficient for large classes |
Practice Activity
Navigate to the portal, log in, and verify your role. Practice turning editing on/off in a sample course to get comfortable with the interface changes.
Course Setup & Management
Learn how to access, organize, and manage your courses effectively using the platform's editing tools.
Access Your Course
Click "My Courses" from navigation and select your assigned course from the list. Familiarize yourself with the course layout: header, sections, and side blocks.
Enable Editing Mode
Click "Turn editing on" (top-right or ⚙️ menu). Notice edit icons appear: pencil (edit), arrows (move), trash (delete). See "Add an activity or resource" links in each section.
Course Structure Planning
Choose between Weekly Format (one section per week), Topics Format (one section per topic/unit), or Social Format (forum-based discussions).
Weekly Format
Ideal for time-bound courses with regular weekly content releases and deadlines.
Topics Format
Best for content organized by themes or modules rather than strict weekly schedules.
Social Format
Focuses on discussion forums as the primary course activity, ideal for seminar-style courses.
Practice Activity
Navigate to your course and turn editing on/off several times to get comfortable with the interface changes. Try moving sections using the arrow icons.
Content Management & File Uploads
Effectively upload and organize course materials to support student learning and engagement.
Adding Files (PDFs, Documents, Slides)
Turn editing on → Click "Add an activity or resource" → Select "File" → Click "Add" → Enter clear name (e.g., "Week 1 - Introduction Slides") → Add description → Drag/drop file or use file picker → Choose display option → Click "Save and return to course."
Creating Pages (Web Content)
Add activity → Select "Page" → Use for syllabi, instructions, welcome messages → Rich text editor supports headings, links, images, videos → Embed media using the media icon.
Organizing with Folders
Use "Folder" resource to group related files → Example: "Week 1 Materials" folder containing slides, readings, exercises → Students can download entire folder as ZIP.
| File Type | Maximum Size | Supported Formats | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents | 50 MB | .pdf, .doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx | Use PDF for cross-platform compatibility |
| Images | 20 MB each | .jpg, .png, .gif | Optimize images for web viewing |
| Audio | 100 MB | .mp3, .wav, .m4a | Provide transcripts for accessibility |
| Video | 500 MB | .mp4, .mov, .avi | Use streaming services for large files |
File Management Best Practices
Naming Convention: • ABC123_Week1_Slides.pdf • ABC123_Assignment1_Instructions.docx • ABC123_Reading_Chapter1.pdf
File Size Guidelines: • Keep files under 20-50 MB • Compress large videos or use streaming links • Use ZIP files for multiple related documents
Upload Tip: Drag and drop multiple files at once. The system will process them sequentially.
Assignments & Grading System
Create, manage, and grade assignments effectively using the platform's comprehensive grading tools.
Creating an Assignment
Turn editing on → Add activity → "Assignment" → Name: Be specific (e.g., "Assignment 1 - Research Essay") → Description: Clear instructions + format + academic integrity note → Availability: Set open/close dates and cut-off times → Submission types: File upload and/or online text → File types: Specify allowed formats (.pdf, .docx, etc.) → Attempts: Usually set to 1 → Grade: Set maximum points (e.g., 20, 100).
Grading Submissions
Go to Assignment → "View all submissions" → Individual grading: Click student name to grade inline → Batch download: "Download all submissions" for offline grading → Feedback options: Comments, annotated PDF, uploaded files → Rubrics: Use for transparent, consistent grading.
Advanced Grading Features
Marking Workflow: Control when grades are released → Quick Grading: Enter grades directly in submissions table → Blind Marking: Hide student identities during grading → Plagiarism Detection: Integrate with Turnitin if available.
| Grading Feature | Purpose | Best For | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inline Feedback | Direct comments on submissions | Detailed, specific feedback | All assignment types |
| Rubrics | Structured grading criteria | Consistent, transparent grading | Essays, projects, presentations |
| Batch Download | Offline grading | Large classes, extensive feedback | 50+ submissions |
| Blind Marking | Anonymous grading | Reducing bias | High-stakes assessments |
Practice Activity
Create a test assignment and experiment with the grading interface using a "student" account if available. Practice using rubrics and inline feedback tools.
Quizzes & Online Examinations
Design and manage online assessments effectively using the platform's quiz tools.
Building the Question Bank
Go to Course → More → Question bank → Create categories (e.g., "Mid-term", "Chapter 1") → Create questions: Multiple choice, True/False, Essay, etc. → Note: Categorizing helps in randomizing questions later.
Creating the Quiz Shell
Add activity → "Quiz" → Set Timing: open/close time and time limit → Set Grade: attempts allowed (usually 1 for exams) → Set Layout: new page for every question or every few → Set Review options: control what students see after attempt.
Adding Questions to Quiz
Click the quiz → "Edit quiz" → Click "Add" → "From question bank" or "Random question" → Set maximum grade and individual question points.
Question Randomization
Use random questions from categories to create unique quizzes for each student, enhancing academic integrity.
Time Management
Set appropriate time limits based on question complexity and learning objectives.
Security Features
Use browser security, question pools, and timed releases for high-stakes assessments.
Academic Integrity Best Practices
Use question randomization, time limits, and browser security for high-stakes assessments. Always preview your quiz before publishing!
Practice: Create a sample quiz with 5 different question types. Use the preview function to test the student experience.
Communication & Student Interaction
Effectively communicate with students using various tools available in the platform.
Announcements
Use the default "Announcements" forum → Students are automatically subscribed → Posts are emailed to all enrolled students → Use for: welcome messages, deadlines, important updates.
Discussion Forums
Add activity → "Forum" → Forum types: Standard, Q&A, Single discussion → Subscription: Auto, Optional, or Forced → Ratings: Allow peer evaluation of posts → Use for: class discussions, peer learning, FAQ.
Direct Messaging
Use Messages icon (top-right) for private communication → Send to individual students or groups → Students can message you directly → Messages are integrated with email notifications.
| Communication Tool | Primary Purpose | Best For | Response Time Expectation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announcements | Official course updates | Important notices, deadline changes | Read-only, no response needed |
| Forums | Class discussions | Academic discussions, Q&A | 24-48 hours |
| Messages | Private communication | Personal matters, grade discussions | 24-48 hours |
| Calendar | Scheduling | Important dates, deadlines, events | Regular updates |
Communication Strategy
Post weekly announcements, respond to forum posts within 24-48 hours, and encourage peer-to-peer help in forums. Set clear expectations for response times in your course syllabus.
Student Progress Tracking & Analytics
Monitor student engagement and performance using comprehensive tracking tools.
Gradebook Management
Access via Navigation → "Grades" → View all assignments, quizzes, and calculated totals → Categories: Organize by type (Assignments, Quizzes, Exams) → Weights: Set percentage contribution to final grade → Export: Download as CSV/Excel for records.
Activity Completion Tracking
Enable completion tracking per activity → Manual: Students mark as complete → Automatic: System tracks based on criteria → View progress in Course → Reports → Activity completion.
Participation Reports
Logs: Detailed view of who accessed what and when → Participation: Forum posts, assignment submissions → Course completion: Overall progress tracking → Use to identify at-risk students early.
Analytics Dashboard
Visual representations of student progress, engagement levels, and performance trends.
Early Warning System
Identify students with declining engagement or performance for proactive intervention.
Export Capabilities
Download comprehensive reports for offline analysis or institutional reporting.
Privacy & Ethical Considerations
Activity tracking helps identify struggling students but should be used supportively, not punitively. Contact students who show declining engagement with offers of help and resources rather than criticism.
Best Practices & Pedagogical Guidelines
Implement effective online teaching strategies based on educational research and proven practices.
Content Design Principles
Chunking: Break content into digestible segments → Multimedia: Combine text, images, videos, audio → Accessibility: Add alt-text, captions, clear headings → Mobile-friendly: Test on different device sizes.
Engagement Strategies
Interactive Elements: Polls, discussions, peer review → Regular Communication: Weekly announcements, timely feedback → Clear Expectations: Rubrics, sample work, detailed instructions → Variety: Mix individual and group activities.
Assessment Best Practices
Formative Assessment: Low-stakes quizzes, discussion participation → Authentic Tasks: Real-world applications, case studies → Timely Feedback: Within 48-72 hours when possible → Academic Integrity: Clear policies, varied question types.
| Principle | Implementation | Expected Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Design for Learning | Provide multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression | Increased accessibility and inclusion |
| Scaffolded Learning | Build from simple to complex tasks with support gradually removed | Better skill development and confidence |
| Active Learning | Incorporate discussions, collaborations, and problem-solving | Deeper understanding and retention |
| Feedback Culture | Regular, constructive feedback on both process and product | Improved performance and motivation |
Pedagogical Tip
Apply the 7±2 rule - present 5-9 items per screen or section to avoid cognitive overload. Use consistent weekly structure to build student confidence and reduce navigation anxiety.
Templates & Weekly Checklists
Use these templates and checklists to streamline your course management and ensure consistency.
Week 1 Launch Checklist
- □ Create "Course Information" page with syllabus and expectations
- □ Post welcome announcement with week 1 tasks
- □ Upload week 1 slides and required readings
- □ Create first assignment with detailed rubric
- □ Set up low-stakes formative quiz
- □ Enable activity completion tracking
- □ Test all links and media files
- □ Send personal welcome message to class
Weekly Maintenance Checklist
- □ Post weekly announcement by Sunday evening
- □ Review and respond to forum discussions
- □ Grade assignments within 48-72 hours
- □ Upload next week's materials
- □ Check completion reports for at-risk students
- □ Update gradebook and release appropriate grades
- □ Prepare upcoming assessments
| Rubric Category | Excellent (90-100%) | Proficient (80-89%) | Developing (70-79%) | Beginning (60-69%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content & Understanding (60%) | Comprehensive understanding, accurate details | Good understanding, mostly accurate | Basic understanding, some inaccuracies | Limited understanding, significant errors |
| Communication & Presentation (25%) | Clear, well-organized, professional | Generally clear and organized | Somewhat unclear or disorganized | Unclear, poorly organized |
| Use of Sources & Referencing (15%) | Appropriate sources, correct format | Good sources, minor format issues | Limited sources, format problems | Inadequate sources, major format issues |
Template Usage
Copy these templates to a text file for quick reference. Adapt the language and criteria to match your discipline and course level. Consistent use of checklists and rubrics saves time and improves course quality.
Troubleshooting & Support
Quick solutions for common issues and guidance on when to contact support.
Common Issues & Quick Fixes
Student can't submit: Check due dates, file size limits, allowed file types.
Files won't upload: Reduce file size, check format, try different browser.
Grades not visible: Check gradebook visibility settings and release dates.
Forum emails not sending: Verify subscription settings and user email preferences.
Quiz questions not displaying: Check question bank and preview mode.
When to Contact Support
Include in your support request: • Course code and your name • Screenshot of the issue • Exact error message (if any) • Time and date when issue occurred • Steps you took before the problem • Browser and device information.
Example Subject: "CUEA eLearning - Course: ABC123 - Cannot enrol student - [Your Name]"
ODeL Support
Password resets and login issues
Account access problems
Technical connectivity issues
Email: elearning@cuea.edu
Phone: +254709691170
Any Other Support
Course setup and configuration
Advanced features and integrations
Training and best practice guidance
Email: elearning@cuea.edu
Emergency:+254709691170
Need Immediate Assistance?
Contact the eLearning Support Team for urgent technical issues during business hours (Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Email Support Team