Resetting a course on Moodle

Why would I reset a Moodle course?

Resetting a course in Moodle is the best way to clear all user generated content so as to ensure a fresh experience for anyone else joining the course. This makes resetting a Moodle course an option worth considering if one is to have a course open for users to share materials with other users.

Resetting a Moodle course will wipe out all the user data but keep all the activities and other settings, this deletion is forever so make sure you are sure and save any backups before engaging in this process!

Summary of steps

Below is a series of steps you can follow to reset your Moodle course

1. Go to the course page you would like to reset
2. Select the course management gear to open the course management menu, this button is usually located in the top panel either in the right or to the left
3. Under the category ‘Course Settings’ select the option titled Reset. If you can not see this category or option, select the more button. Otherwise ensure you have administrative clearance
4. Following the steps above you will be on the Reset Course page for your select course. Scroll through the options and check off all the materials you would like to have deleted.
   1. For example, if you would like to reset a forum on your course, you would locate the tab called ‘Forums’ and select ‘Delete all posts’, ‘Delete all ratings’, ‘Delete all forum tags’. This will completely purge the forum of all the posts.
   2. If you would like to keep a setting unchanged when resetting the course (for example you have groups set up to manage restrictions on course content) you should leave this box unchecked.
5. Once you have checked off all the materials you would like to have reset, press the button ‘Reset Course’ located at the bottom of the page.
6. You will be given a summary of all the changes that have been made to the course. Select the Continue button at the bottom of the page to proceed.
7. Congratulations, you have successfully reset your course page! 

Remember, deleting user data is permanent, you will not be able to get this data back!