PSU - Creating Notes (Text Boxes) in your Mahara ePortfolio

Summary

This article explains how to add notes (text boxes) to a Mahara ePortfolio. This article will be useful to PSU faculty members wanting to add text boxes to their ePortfolios.

How-To

Instructions

Step 1 - Log in to myPortal

Step 2 - Search for  Mahara ePortfolio.

Step 3 - Click on Mahara ePortfolio. This will take you to your Mahara dashboard page.

Step 4 - Click on Main Menu on the upper right side of the dashboard.

Step 5 - Click on the down arrow next to the "Create" title

Step 6 - Click Pages/Collections under the Portfolio tab.

Step 7 - Click the page/collection name. Then, click the pencil icon on the upper right side of the screen to enter edit mode.

Inserting a Note Block

Step 7 - Select the note block type under the "General" block type on the left side of the screen. You can drag and drop the note block type into any area on the page that appears as a lighter color filled with dashed lines:  . Once you have the block positioned where you would like it, release the mouse to drop the block. You can also click on the block type and a window will pop up and ask you where you would like to position the block. After selecting the location, click Add.

Step 8 - Change the block title or remove the title by deleting the existing title text.

Step 9 - Underneath the "Block Content" section, you can view the most common block edit options. You can toggle more options by clicking the toggle button in the upper left side of the taskbar. The edit options include:

• Insert an image: Click the picture icon to insert an image. You can then either select an image or upload one from your computer. After uploading your image:
  • Click on "Image formatting options"
  • If you would like to change the dimensions of the image, enter in a new first dimension number on the left. Delete the second dimension number on the right. Make sure "Constrain" is checked.
  • If you would like a border, select "Border" and select a border width.
  • If you would like to assign an alignment, you can – this is optional
  • To modify an existing image in the text box, click the image. Then, click the picture icon again and the selection screen will open. You can then edit the selection.
• Insert a hyperlink: Click the chain icon to insert a hyperlink. Paste the URL of the website you want to display.
• Making a text box full screen: Click the expand icon to make the text box full screen. To return to the normal screen, just click the expand icon again.
• Regular document editing options: Fonts, font sizes, bold, underline, text color, etc. are available.

Step 10 - Turn Comments to Off. This makes your ePortfolio appear more professional.

Step 11 - Create tags for your Note block

Step 12 - If you would like to attach files to your note block, you can upload files from your computer.

Step 13 - Choose the Retract option to be manually, automatically, or never. Never is the default option. Save changes. You can test the retractable option by clicking Display Page under the page title

• Manually retracting (Yes): click the down arrow to the right of the block's title to retract the block
• Automatically retracting: click the left arrow to the right of the note block's title to expand the block
• To return to edit mode, click the Edit button on the upper right of the screen again.

Step 14 - When done, click Save.

Outcome

Users will be able to insert a note block into their Mahara ePortfolio.

Further Readings

Accessing Mahara

Need additional help?

Visit the Technology Help Desk to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.