View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

Re: View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

by Mary Cooch -
Number of replies: 4
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Hello and apologies for the late reply. If you have Office 365 I understand there are plugins that add MS functionality to Moodle -there is more information here 

I haven't used them myself but when I have got students to annotate Word documents or work collaboratively on a Word document  I have just added its online link into a Moodle course (as with Google docs) and sent them to the course to access the document there. Not technically what you want I think but it works. Likewise students share the link to their Word doc with their teacher within an assignment so the teacher can access the doc to annotate it and then add the grade in the Moodle assignment.

Would you be able to give details of the old plugin for Word 2007 and also do you have any links showing how Canvas can do this- I'd be interested to know.

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In reply to Mary Cooch

Re: View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

by Wendy Mack -

Hi Mary,

Sorry I wasn't able to get back right away. 

I personally do not run Canvas, but I have seen screenshots from professors demonstrating this and asking me if I can set that up in Moodle.  Here is also a link summarizing the feature:  http://www.canvaslms.com/news/press-releases/speedgrader-enables-teachers-to-work-with-assignments-in-the-browser

Here is the link that I had found regarding the Office ad-on:

http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-creates-office-plug-in-for-moodle/


Thanks for your help!

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In reply to Wendy Mack

Re: View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

by Matt Bury -
Picture of Plugin developers

Hi Wendy,

Is your Moodle using HTTPS? If so, you can use https://owncloud.org/ as a Moodle repository. See: http://www.moodlenews.com/2013/owncloud-as-an-open-source-repository-for-moodle/

With ownCloud set up in Moodle, users can then connect to Moodle via https://www.libreoffice.org/ and simultaneously edit the same documents (real-time collaborative document editing). Here's a demo video:

The advantage of using ownCloud is that it's free and open source, like Moodle, and so you can maintain your learners' and teachers' privacy as well as having administrator access in case of disputes, complaints, grievances, malpractice, etc.

The advantage of using LibreOffice is that it's free and open source (too), as well as being compatible with all the common office file formats, including Microsoft .doc and .docx (and Excel, Access, PPT, etc.). Therefore, there's no prerequisite and possibly extra cost for learners or teachers to buy/own/use copies of Microsoft Windows (or OS X) or Microsoft Office.

The advantage of connecting desktop office software to edit the documents on the server is that you get the full range of features, functionality, and extensions, plugins, and templates of office software, unlike the limited Javascript versions that Microsoft 360 and Google Docs offer in web-browsers.

If you don't have HTTPS on your Moodle server, you can use a 3rd party ownCloud hosting service instead, e.g. https://owncloud.com/ A similar service to Moodle partners.

I hope this helps! smile

BTW, do any Moodle partners offer Moodle + ownCloud?

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In reply to Matt Bury

Re: View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

by Wendy Mack -

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the information.  I'm not sure this is exactly what we are looking for, but I'll look into it some more.

I appreciate your help!

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In reply to Wendy Mack

Re: View and annotate Word 2013 docs inline in Moodle?

by Matt Bury -
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You're welcome Wendy,

There's also this in the pipeline (not out just yet) for an entirely online, browser-based option. Hopefully, it'll also allow LibreOffice desktop software to connect and edit documents, i.e. not just browser-based:

Link: https://libreoffice-from-collabora.com/the-cloud-is-our-future-collabora-presents-libreoffice-online-in-bern/

Q&A about LibreOffice Online: https://libreoffice-from-collabora.com/libreoffice-online-questions-answered/

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