Files, images and video

File(s) to Download

This allows you to add files to your page that can be downloaded by other people. You can allow people to download files from your own files area as well as group files and site files.

You may have lots of files you want to share with others. Why not turn your page into a file sharing space where you can allow other people to download files such as pdf files, documents, or images.

A Folder

Use this to display a single folder. People will be able to see all the files or folders that are contained in this folder.

By adding a folder you can allow other people to download lots of files rather than using the file block.

Image

Gallery

You can use this lovely image gallery to display pictures you've added to your portfolio and even external galleries you have created, using, for example, Flickr or Picasa.

You can choose between two views — thumbnail and slideshow — and choose exactly which images to add. If you have all the images in one folder, you can simply select that folder and all the images will be displayed.

This is a good way to add an element of interaction to your page.

Some HTML

You can add an HTML file to your page from your files area. If you know the basics of HTML coding, this allows you to add something more bespoke to your page that you wouldn't get by using the other blocks. See http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/ for an introduction to HTML coding.

An Image

Use this block to display a single image from your Mahara files area. You can set a width for your image and decide whether or not to show its description. You can also choose group or site images to put in your page.

An image makes a page more appealing.

Embedded Media

Using this, you can directly display your own media files (video/audio) in your page. Simply choose the file that you would like to embed and give it a width and height.

Record your own audio podcast and add it to your files area, you can then add a short snippet of you discussing topics relating to your page. This can often get a message across much better than using a text box.

Journals

Journal

Use this block to display your entire journal. All the entries from the journal are shown in the block.

If you are writing a journal on a certain subject, you may want to use Mahara to show other people your reflections. You could display your whole journal in a page and make it publicly available. People will then be able to give you feedback on what you are saying.

Journal Entry

This shows a single entry from a journal. In the block options, you can choose the entry you would like to display.

If you are making pages on a specific topic, you may remember that one of your entries is relevant. Include the entry to show your own reflections on the subject.

Recent Journal Entries

Rather than displaying the whole journal, you can use this block to display the 10 most recent entries.

You may feel that you want to show updates from your journal, but not the whole thing because previous entries are a bit outdated. If so, this is the block you should use.

Tagged Journal Entries

You are able to show journal entries that have a particular tag.

This is really useful if you would like to see updates in content related to a specific keyword.

General

Creative Commons License

You can use this to add a Creative Commons License to your page. The license displays as a small image. With this, you can indicate if you want to allow commercial uses of your work or you want to allow modifications of your work. If you would like to know more about Creative Commons licensing, visit http://creativecommons.org/.

My Inbox

(Dashboard page only)

Used on your dashboard, this block allows you to see your inbox messages when you first log in.

This is great for keeping you up-to-date with recent activity in the site, without having to go into the messages area.

You can filter the block to choose which message types to display as well as how many messages you would like to see (between 1 and 100).

Navigation

(Can only be used in collections)

This is used specifically in collections. It displays a neat navigation tabbed menu across the top of the pages in the collection.

This is recommended if you are presenting a series of pages and would like to make them easily navigable.

Latest Pages

(Dashboard page only)

Gives a list of all the recent pages created in the site.

This will give you some quick links on the log in page. So you can get to pages that have been created recently.

You can choose how many pages you would like to show.

Your Plans

Use this to display your plans in your page.

This is very useful in a reminder page that collects all your tasks and work schedules together.

You can select individual plans to show and they will be displayed neatly in the page with each task listed along with its completion status.

Recent Forum Posts

You can use this block to show recent forum posts from any groups that you belong to.

This would be useful for your dashboard page as it would keep you updated with the latest goings-on from your areas of interest.

Text Box/Notes

With this, you can add a block of text to your page. You can format the text how you wish — changing layout and color, and so on.

This block also allows you to pick from text boxes that you have written before. These are called notes. Notes are stored in your content area but can be selected using this block.

My Watched Pages

(Dashboard page only)

This block allows you to display a list of the pages that you have selected to keep track of.

This is useful for a teacher trying to keep track of student pages.

Watched pages send notifications to you when they are changed, so you can see a list of the most recent changes.

Profile

Contact Information

Use this to display contact information that you entered into your profile. You are able to choose exactly what information to display and have the option to hide your e-mail address if you would like to.

My Friends

(Dashboard and profile pages only)

This block displays a grid of your friends. It only shows a certain number of friends.

It is on your profile page by default, but you can also add it to and remove it from your dashboard page as you like.

My Groups

(Dashboard and profile pages only)

This shows a list of the groups of which you are a member.

It is on the profile and dashboard pages by default, and can be removed or added as you like.

My Pages

(Dashboard and profile pages only)

This shows a list of pages that you have created.

If placed on your profile page, this shows other users which pages you have been creating recently that they can access.

Profile Information

Use this to display information from your profile. You can use this to display your profile icon if you wish. You also have the option to enter an introduction to your profile information.

Wall

(Profile page only)

Other users can add short messages to your profile page by using this block.

It is on the profile page by default and can be removed or added as you like.

Résumé

Your Entire Résumé

With this, you can display the whole of your résumé. All sections, including personal information, employment history, cover letter and so on, will be displayed.

One Résumé Field

Use this to display just one field from your résumé. Only the fields that you have already completed in your résumé will be available to include in your page.

External Content

External Feed

This block allows you to display valid RSS or ATOM feeds from other websites. You get the choice of whether to show a summary of the feed items or to show their descriptions as well, or not.

Your page may be an analysis of current trends, for example, in global climate conditions. By including RSS feeds to weather stations/meteorological sources, you are keeping your page up-to-date without having to alter the content by yourself.

External Media

Use this to link to multimedia from an external website. In the configuration settings, enter the URL link to the video that you want to include in your page. You can embed from:

You are able to set a width and height for the multimedia that you embed.

Media makes your pages more interesting. You could include a short educational clip or presentation from any of the sites listed above to exemplify and support any other content in your page.

Google Apps

You can use Google Apps's API to embed books, calendars, docs (spreadsheets, docs, and presentations), and maps right into your Mahara page.

All you have to do is copy and paste the URL or embed code of the widget, and it will be rendered on the page.

You also get an additional height parameter to help you control the size of the content.