Summer 2023 Update: With the update to Moodle 4, we are using a more accessible theme called "Boost" which does not support course banner images (which were only used in 30% of courses). Faculty can still add a course image to display in the Dashboard and on their Moodle site- here's now!

Add a Course Image to Display on the Dashboard

A course image added in your course settings will display on the Dashboard for you and your students. It's a nice way to differentiate your course, as courses without images will just show a defauly pattern. 

Course images display on the main course page and the Moodle Dashboard. Here's how to replace the default Amherst image with one of your own. 

For ideas, check out this selection of beautiful Amherst scenes provided by the Office of Communications.

dashboard course image
  1. Go to your course's Moodle site.
  2. Click the "Settings".
  3. In the Description Section, look for the Course Image upload box. The easiest way to add an image is to drag and drop it from your computer into the upload box. 
    drag and drop to upload


  4. Click "Save" at the bottom of the screen. On the Dashboard screen, you should see your new image.
    course with image

 

To change the image, you'll first need to delete your existing image. Go back to Course Settings and click the image icon in the upload box.

click image icon

A pop-up box will have a delete option. Then you can upload your new image.

delete button

Add an Image to your Moodle Site

If you'd like an image to appear on your Moodle site, you can simply insert one into your top-most section by dragging it into that section or editing the "General" section text area. Here's how.

Option 1: Add with drag-and-drop uploading

One way to add an image to the main moodle page for your course is to use drag and drop uploading (when Editing is turned on). However, if you use this method, make sure the image is properly sized beforehand! A safe size is 500 pixels wide or smaller.  

upload image

Upon dragging and dropping the image, Moodle will ask if you want to add the image to the course page or create a file resource. Choose Add image to course page. 

add image to course page

This will create a "text and media section" on your page containing the image. As with any Moodle resource, you can move it around using the crosshair icon to the left, and edit or delete it using the menu to the right. 

Option 2: Add image using the text editor

Whenever you add or edit text in Moodle, you can also insert an image. To begin with this method you will need to edit a section header, add a label, or add a page. Once you have a text editor open, you will see icons to insert images or media. 

insert image

On the next screen you have the option to add an image via URL, or upload one from your computer. To upload an image, click the Browse Repositories button. 

browse repositories



 

Then, click Upload a file and then choose file. 

upload file and choose file

Find the file on your computer, and back in Moodle click upload this file. 

upload this file

 

Please be sure to add descriptive text ("alt-text") in the box that says "describe this image".

Depending on the size of the image, you may need to resize it so it will fit on the screen. A safe bet is to check the "Auto size" button which will set the image to match the width of the browser.

image size

After clicking the Save Image button, you will see your image in your text box. To edit it further, click the add/edit image icon again. 

Be sure to click Save and Return to Course when you are done!