Hello : )
I'm curious what Language Customizations everyone employs to make things clearer for the students and teachers in your system? Moodle is so amazingly complex, but at times can seem daunting for users. I've been keeping a list of language strings I've changed over the years -- I wanted to share what I've done on my system and I am looking for further ideas from the community based on your experiences.
atto – atto_image.php – atto_image - size
from: Size
to: Size (W x H)
reason: To make it clearer which input box belonged to which dimension
availability – availability_grouping.php – availability_grouping – missing
from: (Missing grouping)
to: <span style="background-color: yellow;">(Missing grouping)</span>
reason: to make a broken "grouping" availability restriction easily stand out on the course page
availability – availability_grouping.php – availability_grouping – requires_grouping
from: You belong to a group in <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: You <span style="color: green;">belong</span> to a group in <strong>{$a}</strong>
reason: to style a "must" grouping restrict access message in Green on the course page
availability – availability_grouping.php – availability_grouping – requires_notgrouping
from: You do not belong to a group in <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: You <span style="color: red;">do not belong</span> to a group in <strong>{$a}</strong>
reason: to style a "must not" grouping restrict access message in Red on the course page
availability – availability_group.php – availability_group – requires_group
from: You belong to <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: You <span style="color: green;">belong</span> to <strong>{$a}</strong>
reason: to style a "must" group restrict access message in Green on the course page
availability – availability_group.php – availability_group – requires_notgroup
from: You do not belong to <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: You <span style="color: red;">do not belong</span> to <strong>{$a}</strong>
reason: to style a "must not" group restrict access message in Red on the course page
availability – availability_grade.php – availability_grade – missing
from: (missing activity)
to: <span style="background-color: yellow;">(missing activity)</span>
reason: to make a broken "group" availability restriction easily stand out on the course page
availability – availability_completion.php – availability_completion – requires_not_complete_pass
from: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is not complete and passed
to: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is <span style="color: red;">not complete and passed</span>
reason: to style a "negative" completion restrict access message in red on the course page
availability – availability_completion.php – availability_completion – requires_complete
from: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is marked complete
to: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is <span style="color: green;">marked complete</span>
reason: to style a "positive" completion restrict access message in green on the course page
availability – availability_completion.php – availability_completion – requires_complete_pass
from: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is complete and passed
to: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is <span style="color: green;">complete and passed</span>
reason: to style a "positive" completion restrict access message in green on the course page
availability – availability_completion.php – availability_completion – requires_incomplete
from: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is incomplete
to: The activity <strong>{$a}</strong> is <span style="color: red;">incomplete</span>
reason: to style a "negative" completion restrict access message in red on the course page
booktool – booktool_print.php – booktool_print - printbook
from: Print book
to: View whole book on one page
reason: to make it clearer to students that they can view an entire book on a signle page
block – block_xp.php – block_xp – infos
from: Information
to: Level Infromation
reason: clarify that the information is about each of the "Levels"
block – block_xp.php – block_xp – navinfos
from: Infos
to: Level Infromation
reason: "Infos" isn't clear; to clarify that the information is about each of the "Levels"
core -- grades.php – core_grades - real
from: Real
to: Points
reason: Our staff just wasn't understanding what "Real" meant, and "Points" made more sense to them since they already assign points to activities when grading
core -- grades.php – core_grades - realletter
from: Real (letter)
to: Points (letter)
reason: Our staff just wasn't understanding what "Real" meant, and "Points" made more sense to them since they already assign points to activities when grading
core -- grades.php – core_grades - realpercentage
from: Real (percentage)
to: Points (percentage)
reason: Our staff just wasn't understanding what "Real" meant, and "Points" made more sense to them since they already assign points to activities when grading
core -- moodle.php – core - notavailable
from: Not available
to: This Section is Not Available to Students
reason: To make it clear that the topic is intentionally not visible to the student
core -- moodle.php – core - notavailablecourse
from: {$a} is not available
to: {$a} is not available to students at this time
reason: To make it clear that the course is intentionally not visible to the student
core – moodle.php – core - update
from: Update
to: Submit
Note: (This will also affect the “Update” button in the gradebook single view editing, and in the Complete Report send message “update” button).
reason: To make it clearer for teachers when using Log filters that this is the filter to use to find logs about work submitted
core – moodle.php – core - editorpreferences
from: Editor preferences
to: Choose Text Editor
reason: to make the purpose of the Profile Link more clear to users
core – moodle.php – core - makeavailable
from: Make available
to: Stealth Mode
reason: When Moodle came out with Stealth Mode, my staff was excited to use the feature, but they could never "find" this feature, so I changed the verbiage to allow it to be spotted.
core – moodle.php – core - totopofsection
from: To the top of section "{$a}"
to: <span style="color: maroon;">To the top of section</span> "{$a}"
reason: I did this to make it much easier differentiate between section headings and activities in the large pop up window when moving (not dragging) an activity on the course page
core – moodle.php – core - loggedinnot
from: You are not logged in.
to: <span style="color: yellow;">You are not logged in.</span>
reason: Teachers would time-out and claim their courses are missing because they didn't realize they were no longer logged in
core – moodle.php – core - hiddenoncoursepage
from: Available but not shown on course page
to: Stealth Mode: Available to students but not visible on course page
reason: When Moodle came out with Stealth Mode, my staff was excited to use the feature, but they could never "find" this feature, so I changed the verbiage to allow it to be spotted.
core – moodle.php – core - hideoncoursepage
from: Make available but not shown on course page
to: Enable Stealth Mode
reason: When Moodle came out with Stealth Mode, my staff was excited to use the feature, but they could never "find" this feature, so I changed the verbiage to allow it to be spotted.
core – moodle.php – core - fullnameuser
from: User full name
to: Full Name
reason: users would select this option instead of "username" because they weren't reading carefully, so removing "user" made it cleared that this field was just about the first/last name.
core – moodle.php – core - sessionforceclean
from: As a security precaution, user-generated scripts have been disabled within this session.
to: As a security precaution, this feature has a <strong>LIMITED VIEW: <i class="fa fa-eye-slash" style="font-size: 2em;"></i> you will not see any iFrames, such as Google Slides and BannerSnacks images</strong>.
reason: Moodle 3.7 came out with a feature that prevents users who log in as other users from seeing embedded content and iframes. This was to make it clearer to users that they are not getting a full picture using the Log In As feature.
core – moodle.php – core - loginas
from: Log in as
to: Log in as (<strong>LIMITED VIEW <i class="fa fa-eye-slash"></i></strong>)
reason: Moodle 3.7 came out with a feature that prevents users who log in as other users from seeing embedded content and iframes. This was to make it clearer to users that they are not getting a full picture using the Log In As feature.
core – moodle.php – core - none
from: None
to: <span style="background-color: yellow;">None</span>
reason: to make a broken "grade-related" availability restriction easily stand out on the course page
core – backup.php – core_backup - restoretocurrentcourseadding
from: Merge the backup course into this course
to: <font color="green">Merge</font> the backup class into this class
reason: to make it clearer which option was selected when merging a course
core – backup.php – core_backup - restoretocurrentcoursedeleting
from: Delete the contents of this course and then restore
to: <font color="red">Delete</font> the contents of this class and then restore
reason: to make it clearer which option was selected when merging a course
core – completion.php – core_completion – completionexpected
from: Expect completed on
to: Completion Progress Block Due Date
reason: to make it clearer for staff that the Completion Progress block uses dates set from this setting
core - completion.php -- core_completion -- yourprogress
from: Your progress
to: <span style="color: maroon;">Your progress</span>
reason: to make this text and help icon stand out more at the top of the course page
core – form.php – core_form - modstandardels
from: Common module settings
to: Activity Visibility Settings
reason: to make it clearer for staff that activity visibility is controlled from here
core – grading.php – core_grading - activemethodinfonone
from: There is no advanced grading method selected for the '{$a->area}' area. Simple direct grading will be used.
to: There is no advanced grading method selected for the '{$a->area}' area: 'Assign Points' will be used.
reason: to make it clearer for staff this is for "Points" grading
core – grading.php – core_grading - gradingmethodnone
from: Simple direct grading
to: Assign Points
reason: to make it clearer for staff this is for "Points" grading
core – grades.php – core_grades - aggregateonlygraded
from: Exclude empty grades
to: Drop unattempted work: Include only <b>graded</b> work in the total.
reason: the original working always makes teachers question what is actually happening, so we've tried to make it more clear as it is also displayed to students and parents in the user report
core – grades.php – core_grades - aggregatenotonlygraded
from: Include empty grades
to: Include Activities Not Submitted
reason: the original working always makes teachers question what is actually happening, so we've tried to make it more clear as it is also displayed to students and parents in the user report
core – grades.php – core_grades - gradecategoryonmodform
from: Grade category
to: <span class="alert-warning " style="padding: 5px 8px; font: 16px Garamond, sans-serif"><strong>Gradebook Category</strong></span>
reason: teachers constantly forget to pick a gradebook category, so this helps the setting stand out more
core – question.php – core_question – category
from: Category
to: <span style="font-size:20px; color: red">Category *pick 1st one*</span>
reason: we want teachers to save their quiz questions directly in the quiz-level question bank and NOT at the course-level question bank. This is to prevent questions at the course-level from spreading to other courses accidentally during the activity import and course import process
core – role.php – core_role - assignrolesrelativetothisuser
from: Assign roles relative to this user
to: ADD PARENT/MENTOR roles relative to this user
reason: to make the purpose of this profile link clearer
core – search.php – core_search - enteryoursearchquery
from: Enter your search query
to: Enter your search query -- add quotations to search for a phrase.
reason: to clarify how to search
core – search.php – core_search - title
from: Title
to: Narrow Results by Title (exact full title - cannot search part of a title)
reason: to clarify how to search
gradereport – gradereport_singleview.php – gradereport_singleview - exclude
from: Exclude
to: Drop/Exempt
reason: To change the gradebook option of excluding a grade into a term used by teachers
gradereport – gradereport_singleview.php – gradereport_singleview - excludeall
from: Exclude all grades
to: Drop/Exempt all grades
reason: To change the gradebook option of excluding a grade into a term used by teachers
gradereport – gradereport_singleview.php – gradereport_singleview - excludefor
from: Exclude for {$a}
to: Exempt for {$a}
reason: To change the gradebook option of excluding a grade into a term used by teachers
gradereport – gradereport_user.php – gradereport_user - myself
from: Myself
to: Teacher
reason: Teachers complain a lot that they cannot see all the activities in a user report because they don't realize they have the wrong filter set
gradereport – gradereport_user.php – gradereport_user - otheruser
from: User
to: Student
reason: Teachers complain a lot that they cannot see all the activities in a user report because they don't realize they have the wrong filter set
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - allowsubmissionsanddescriptionfromdatesummary
from: The assignment details and submission form will be available from <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: <div class="danger">The assignment instructions will not be available until <strong>{$a}</strong></div>
reason: To make it clearer that assignment instructions were intentionally set to not yet appear until a pre-determined date
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - allowsubmissionsfromdate
from: Allow submissions from
to: Prevent Submissions before this date:
reason: clarity
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - allowsubmissionsfromdatesummary
from: This assignment will accept submissions from <strong>{$a}</strong>
to: <div class="danger">You will not be able to submit this assignment until <strong>{$a}</strong></div>
reason: clarity
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - alwaysshowdescription
from: Always show description
to: Check off this box to always show the assignment directions to students, even if it's outside the "Prevent Submission" dates set above.
reason: clarity
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - cutoffdate
from: Cut-off date
to: Prevent Submissions after this date:
reason: clarity
mod – assign.php – mod_assign - gradelocked
from: This grade is locked or overridden in the gradebook.
to: <div class="warning">This grade is locked or overridden in the gradebook. Go to the Gradebook SingleView to remove the override or exemption.</div>
reason: To help teacher understand why they cannot click into the 'points' box when grading assignments on PDF Annotator screen
mod – assign.php – mod_assign – submissionslockedshort
from: Submission changes not allowed
to: <div style="padding: 8px; border-color: red; border-style: dotted; border-radius: 15px; background: #ffffff;"><i class="fa fa-lock" style="font-size: medium;"></i> LOCKED<br>Submission changes not allowed</div>
reason: to add a visual in the Quick Grading screen that a submission was already locked
mod – assign.php – mod_assign – userextensiondate
from: Extension granted until: {$a}
to: <div style="padding: 10px; border-color: blue; border-style: dotted; border-radius: 15px; background: #FFFFFF;"><i class="fa fa-calendar" style="font-size: medium;"></i> Extended due date: {$a}</div>
reason: to add a visual in the Quick Grading screen that a submission was already extended
mod – choice.php – mod_choice - choicesaved
from: Your choice has been saved
to: Your choice has been saved - return to the course home page using the breadcrumb trail, or move to the next activity using the bottom-of-page navigation.
reason: there is on clear indicator for users to leave the choice activity once completed (or how to leave the activity)
mod – forum.php – mod_forum - discussthistopic
from: Discuss this topic
to: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reply to This Post or View Current Replies</span>
reason: most teachers use the simple forum, but for those who use discussion-topic based forums, this allows the students to known what to click on when they want to add a reply
mod – forum.php – mod_forum - postmailsubject
from: {$a->courseshortname}: {$a->subject}
to: {$a->courseshortname} - {$a->forumname} : {$a->subject}
reason: adds the forum name in email subjects/body.
mod - glossary.php – mod_glossary – usedynalink
from: Automatically link glossary entries
to: Allow Glossary Linking (a pop-up window that can be optionally enabled per entry)
reason: clarity
mod – quiz.php – mod_quiz - continueattemptquiz
from: Continue the last attempt
to: Continue Quiz (in Progress)
reason: clarity
mod – quiz.php – mod_quiz – editquiz
from: Edit quiz
to: Edit questions
reason: to differentiate between the quiz settings and the quiz questions editing pages
mod - quiz.php -- mod_quiz -- endtest
from: Finish attempt…
to: ... Save Quiz or Submit ...
reason: clarity that this link also saves current progress
mod – quiz.php – mod_quiz - gradingdetails
from: Marks for this submission: {$a->raw}/{$a->max}.
to: Points for this submission: {$a->raw}/{$a->max}.
reason: clarity for US language
mod – quiz.php – mod_quiz - returnattempt
from: Return to attempt
to: Continue Quiz (in Progress)
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm - certainty1
from: C=1 (Unsure: <67%)
to: Not Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – certainty2
from: C=2 (Mid: >67%)
to: Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – certainty3
from: C=3 (Quite sure: >80%)
to: Very Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm - certaintyshort1
from: C=1
to: Not Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – certaintyshort2
from: C=2
to: Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – certaintyshort3
from: C=3
to: Very Certain
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – howcertainareyou
from: Certainty{$a->help}: {$a->choices}
to: <br/>How certain are you?{$a->help}: {$a->choices}
reason: clarity
qbehaviour – qbehaviour_deferredcbm.php – qbehaviour_deferredcbm – judgementsummary
from: Responses: {$a->responses}. Accuracy: {$a->fraction}. (Optimal range {$a->idealrangelow} to {$a->idealrangehigh}). You were {$a->judgement} using this certainty level.
to: Number of times you chose this certainty level: {$a->responses}. <br/>Accuracy: {$a->fraction}. (Optimal range {$a->idealrangelow} to {$a->idealrangehigh}). You were {$a->judgement} using this certainty level.
reason: clarity
qtype – qtype_ddimageortext.php – qtype_ddimageortext -- pluginname
from: Drag and drop onto image
to: Drag & Drop Image
reason: naming consistency between the different drag and drop question types
qtype – qtype_ddmarker.php – qtype_ddmarker -- pluginname
from: Drag and drop markers
to: Drag & Drop Markers
reason: naming consistency between the different drag and drop question types
qtype – qtype_ddmatch.php – qtype_ddmatch -- pluginname
from: Drag-and-Drop Matching
to: Drag & Drop Matching
reason: naming consistency between the different drag and drop question types
qtype – qtype_ddwtos.php – qtype_ddwtos -- pluginname
from: Drag and drop into text
to: Drag & Drop Text
reason: naming consistency between the different drag and drop question types
qtype – qtype_multianswer.php – qtype_multianswer -- pluginname
from: Embedded answers (Cloze)
to: Embedded (Cloze)
reason: to shorten the name onto 1 row in the quiz question selector panel
qtype – qtype_randomsamatch.php – qtype_randomsamatch -- pluginname
from: Random short-answer matching
to: Matching (Random)
reason: to shorten the name onto 1 row in the quiz question selector panel
quiz – quiz_overview.php – quiz_overview - showdetailedmarks
from: Marks for each question
to: Points for each question
reason: clarity for US language
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- cic
from: Coefficient of internal consistency (for {$a})
to: <span style="background: #BBA3D0;">Coefficient of internal consistency</span> (for {$a})
reason: to make this stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- discriminative_efficiency
from: Discriminative efficiency
to: <span style="background: #FFCCCC;">Discriminative efficiency</span>
reason: to make this stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- facility
from: Facility index
to: <span style="background: yellow;">Facility index</span>
reason: to make this stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- highestattemptsavg
from: Average grade of highest graded attempts
to: <span style="background: yellow;">Average grade of highest graded attempts</span>
reason: to make this stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- quizinformation
from: Quiz Information
to: <span style="color: maroon;">Quiz Information</span>
reason: to make this section stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- quizstructureanalysis
from: Quiz structure analysis
to: <span style="color: rebeccapurple;">Question Analysis</span>
reason: to make this section stand out in the quiz statistics report
quiz - quiz_statistics.php -- quiz_statistics -- standarddeviation
from: Standard deviation (for {$a})
to: <span style="background: #FFB85D;">Standard deviation</span> (for {$a})
reason: to make this stand out in the quiz statistics report
search – search_simpledb.php – searchinfo_help - searchinfo_help
from: Enter the search query.
to: Search for each individual word, or add quotes to search for a phrase.
Example: "adding and subtracting" - will search for this exact phrase.
Example: add subtract multiply divide - will search for any of these words.
To add clarity on searching; inside the Help Bubble